Abstract

This paper describes a servo-assisted and computer-controlled variable energy super heavy penetrometer (DPSH) for dynamic cone testing denominated Grizzly-EV (R). The equipment controls and adjusts the hammer driving energy as required depending on the penetration of the probe into to ground to maintain a relatively constant energy/settlement ratio throughout the test. Results of in-situ tests conducted at four different sites in France and Spain are used to assess the repeatability, sensitivity and reliability of the equipment. Comparisons to results of cone penetration tests (CPT) are also presented and discussed.