Abstract

The estimation of building settlements founded in saturated sandy and silty soils is a relevant part of foundation design. Settlement calculation methodologies are still based on SPT and plate-load tests. SPT results can have significant dispersion and soil stiffness estimations are obtained from correlations without a physical meaning and valid only for particular soils and geology conditions. Moreover, plate-load tests are normally limited to shallow depths. CPT and DMT can obtain reliable results in engineering units. These tests are operator independent and the equipment is truly standard worldwide. Results obtained using CPT and DMT equipment for an urban renovation project with buildings founded on saturated sands and silts in Concepción city in Chile, are presented. These results allow estimations of static and liquefaction-induced settlements obtained from calculation methods developed for CPT and DMT.