Free Fall Penetration of Ball Penetrometers in Clay

摘要

This paper presents numerical modelling and analysis of free fall (under gravity) penetration of a ball penetrometer in uniform and normally consolidated clay. A coupled Eulerian Lagrangian technique is employed in a finite element framework to simulate the penetration process. Final depth of penetration (d(p)) values are obtained for a range of relevant parameters (i.e., impact velocity, penetrometer mass and diameter, and seabed shear strength). Analysis-based equations are proposed to estimate d(p). The proposed methodology can be used to select values of test parameters for achieving a desired penetration depth. Numerical predictions are in excellent agreement with published field and laboratory test data.