Geotechnical and Geophysical Site Characterization 4 Coutinho & Mayne (eds)

2013 Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-0-415-62136-6

Shear resistance by the DPL Nilsson test

Thomas Ulf Nilsson
Thomas Nilsson Engenharia Ltda., Indaiatuba/SP, Brazil

ABSTRACT: A new version of the Brazilian Standard for slopes increased the demands on investigation and project. Shear resistance got attention, but quit to be explored in a very restrictive form, provoking waste of time and resources. The shear resistance is very important in Soil Mechanics and must be
available for a reasonable cost to enable a statistic acceptable quantity. Acquisition from field tests attends
the need of reliable parameters. The lateral friction f, obtained by torque measure on a DPL steel cone in
contact with the soil, is compared with Su, the shear resistance of the soil obtained by CU tri-axial test.
The cone friction is supposed to be less than the inner shear strength of the soil and can so be used as a
safe measure of soil shear resistance. If possible to use this assumption, next question of interest is the
relation between Su and f expressed in statistic terms. Back-analysis from the ruptured slope is used to
get one more source of shear strength on the test site. The statistical quality of the samples acquired by
the described methods is evaluated by the coefficient of variance regarding DPL tests in relation to the
mean value. As conclusion, the technical quality of the obtained shear strength is exposed in the light of
statistics, efficiency, time and cost of the field operation versus the laboratory test.

INTRODUCTION

The Brazilian Slope Standard NBR 64882 from

2009 increased the demands on investigation and
projects. Any elevation higher than 3 m and steeper
than 20%, went object for ordinance. The important
shear resistance got well-deserved attention, but
could be explored in more extensive and less restrictive way. The shear resistance is a very important
parameter in Soil Mechanics but should of course
be collected in a big family of samples and delivered in short time and offered for a reasonable cost!
The acquisition from field tests, especially in slopes,
catches the synergy effects of the complexity of the
site, without the need of manipulation. The lateral
friction, f, obtained by torque measure of a DPL
steel cone in contact with the soil, is compared with
Su, the shear resistance of the soil obtained by CU
tri-axial test. Back-analysis is added to the investigation so this paper compares three methods to obtain
acceptable values of shear resistance. The lateral
cone friction from the DPL test is supposed to be
less than the inner shear strength of the soil and can
so be used as a safe measure of soil shear resistance.
2
2.1

DPLDYNAMIC PROBE LIGHT

shear resistance. It is on the safe side, available for

an acceptable cost with a very high productivity.
With one DPL more than 100 m tests are realized
in 3 days.
2.2

The portable DPL equipment

The DPL apparatus is assembled in parts less than

1 meter extension, and packed in two volumes which
occupies less than 0,17 m3, with the maximum length
of 1,06 m, i.e., easy stored in a small vehicle. None
of the components weights more than 10 kg.
This equipment was forecasted, designed and
introduced in Brazil in 2001 by the author (Nilsson
2003) and it was idealized with several modifications as compared to the conventional motorized
DPL. The principal developments are the separation of the whole unit in smaller parts, the design
of a vertical alignment platform, the usage of stress
dampers and the development of a separate torque
testing unitto get the shear resistance. The penetration is proceeded by a 90 cone of 100 mm
height and diameter of 35,7 mm coupled to the
anvil by 1000 mm rods of diameter 22 mm. The
hammer weights 10 kg. To pull out the driven cone,
an easy manageable composition is assembled by
using a lever, connectors and a steel chain.

Efficiency

A portable, manual operated DPL penetrometer,

prepared to measure the torque resistance, is an
excellent apparatus to get a good approach of the

2.3

Method

The portable DPL can easily be operated with no

need of energy or water on site. The assemblage

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Figure 1. DPL apparatus. A general view of the whole

equipment and its several parts.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Torque test.

procedure takes in overall 5 minutes, leaving an

occupied ground area of less than 1 m2 in the site
and demanding a maximum of 2 m of height space.
The proceeding is as follows. After definition of
the testing point, the local is cleaned and the apparatus assembled and aligned. The test starts with
the elevation of the 10 kg hammer to a height of
50 cm, where it drop free onto the damper cushion
on the anvil. The number of blows at every 10 cm
of cone penetration is registered, as defined with
N10 by the international ISSMGE standard, The
torque test is realized at each 1 m interval, soon
after rod change.
2.4 Log
The final result is printed on a log with one table
of blows, 3 graphs and a description of soil and
information of the ground water level.
The bigger graph presents the blows as a function
of z, the depth of penetration (m). The two smaller
graphs shows lateral friction (kPa) and point resistance (MPa). The lateral friction, whereon we base
the work of this paper is measured every meter by the

DPL NILSSON test log.

torque device. The soil is identified by the ratio f/q

(Robertson et al.) methodology developed for CPT
test, but works fine for DPL, as the answer of the
soil of low energy blow approximates static mode.
The GWL is identified on the rods, when extracted.
2.5

Evaluation of lateral friction

When the torque is applied it provokes the cone to

rotate around its own axis as the soil shear resistance around the cone is exceeded. The vertical
aligned surface in contact with soil = 40 E-4 m2.
The cone cross section is 10 E-4 m2. Suppose, on
the safe side, the contribution of 20 E-4 m2 from
the inclined, upward part of the cone, and we
have 0,006 square meter of contact area between
cone and soil. The moment lever measures from
the axis rotation center to the surface 0,01785 m,
which multiplied with the surface area (A) makes
the approach AL = 1E-4 m m2. The moment (M)
acquired from the torque test divided with this
value gives the expression M/(AL) at the moment
the soil ruptures when reaching maximum soil
shear resistance.

1250

f= M
AL

(1)

Set f < Su
The shear resistance can so be (sub)estimated
by measure of DPL side friction. Using the MohrCoulomb formula, it is possible to extract cohesion
and friction angle;
Su = c + ' tan
3
3.1

(2)

3.3

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST SITES

Location

All field tests and probes were carried out on two

highways in the federal state of So Paulo. These
highways are very dense trafficked. A private concession company assumes operation and maintenance. Planning and projects are of the companys
responsibility, so also the information, hereby maintained confident to avoid abuse of the information
by any third part. The highways are identified by
number One and Two and the sites by the letters A
to K. The tests in Highway One were all placed in
mountainous environment but divided in 3 regions.
2 of the tests were worked out very near the capital
So Paulo, 2 in a valley and 2 at the hillside.
The tests in Highway Two were performed in a
various geologic environment, 2 in the mountainous region Serra das Cristais, and 3 of them in the
region named The Peripheral Depression.
These highways are public property of the Federal State of So Paulo but administrated by private companies. These companies are maintained
anonymous, as the author of this work is convinced that the pay-way income could be invested
with more care and long term planning, or indeed,
pay-way costs could certainly be cheaper. This discussion is urgent to be hold on a political level, not
to be further developed in this paper, therefore no
company has been criticized or even mentioned by
name. The author delivers kindly control of the
sources of information, regarding not inferring to
public interest.
3.2

Moving to the north, the upper layers are

covered by sediments of clays and silts, by loose
package and therefore porous and susceptible to
collapse. This is the Peripheral Depression, a lower
alluvionar and coluvionar sedimentary region
between Serra de Botucatu and Serra das Cristais,
extended in south-north direction and part of the
Itarar Subgroup of the Permo-Carboniferous,
Paran Basin. In this latter region, located 130 to
140 km from the capital So Paulo, we find the
final three sites I, J and K.

Geology

Site A to site H are located in the So Roque Group

of the Precambrian crystalline basement. The morphology in this region is sculpture by mountains
and deep valleys. The mountain region cut by the
highway is composed by weathered rock, formed
of phyllite, schist, meta-sandstone and meta-basic
rocks, of Middle Proterozoic age. The embankments of this region are made up by saprolitic silty
soil from the cuts around.

Description of sites of Highway One

Site A and B are located in the Great So Paulo

Metropolitan area. Both are fills and composed
by clayey or sandy silt, overlaying the saprolitic
layer composed by silt and sand. On site A, three
SPT reached the depths of 10 to 14 m, level recognized as impenetrable, Two DPL tests were realized
down to 710 m. The fill layer ranges between 5 to
10 m. The ground water table was detected near
the impenetrable level.
Site C and D are in a valley and are fills of clayey
silt, up to 20 m of thickness, deposited over a aluvionar silty layer of 2 m, overlaying the saprolitic
ground. GW is about 34 m below the original
surface, but raising up in the fill. Three SPT were
made, one reached 22 m, and two DPL of 11 m.
On site D the fill is only 10 m high, but the ground
configuration is like site C., 7 DPL were executed,
to depths between 811 m and three SPT, all reaching planned depth of 20 m.
Site E and F are located on the hillside, they are
fills of clayey silt raised in talvegues with a height
up to 16 m. E is deposed over a 3 m thick alluvionar sandy clay layer, mixed with some gravel
overlaying the saprolitic ground. GW is about 2 m
below the original surface, but raising on the local
of the fill. Three SPT advanced 820 m, and two
DPL 911 m. On site F the fill is between 1014 m
high and deposited directly on the saprolitic layer.5
DPL were executed, to depths between 58 m and
5 SPT, depths of 1622 m.
3.4

Description of sites of Highway Two

Sites G and H are both cuts located in the lower of

Serra dos Cristais. G, the higher cut, is composed
by saprolitic soil (silty sand,on the less withered
layers, sand). Four SPT and 2 DPL were realized.
Site H has mixed sections, part cut, part fills and is
principally composed by silt. On site H, three SPT
reached the depths of 11 to 15 m and four DPL, 2
to 7 m. The ground water table was detected 2 m
below the slope foot.
Sites I,J and K are located in the Peripheral
Depression. All are fills.

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Table 1.

Slope configuration.

Table 2.

Site

Altitude (m)

Type

V:H

Berm

Site

c (kPa)

()

(kN/m3)

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

15
8
12
10
20
20
28
12
13
12
12

Fill
Fill
Fill
Fill
Fill
Fill
Cut
Cut
Fill
Fill
Fill

1:1
1:1,5
1:1,5
1:1,5
1:2
1:2
1:1
1:1
1:1,5
1:1,5
1:1,5

0
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

10
5
18

5
5

12
5
5
5

25
15
18

12
25

24
25
20
23

16
19
19
20
20
18

18
16
19
20

The fill of Site I is composed by 3 m porous

silty clay, overlaying 3 to 6 m soft clay with organic
matter, over an alluvial layer composed by silt and
sand. Around and under the alluvial layer is the
residual soil, withered rock composed by silt, sand
an gravel. GW is 5 to 7 meters below the slope foot.
Five SPT were realized down to 8 to 19 m, also five
DPL, reaching 4 to 10 m.
Site J is composed by 5 m fill of various material,
also including crushed bricks and soft soil, grains
ranging from clay to sand.The fill overlays an alluvial layer of sand and organic clay, overlaying sediments of silty sand with clay. GW is 4 meters below
the slope foot. Three SPT were realized down to 8
to 20 m, also two DPL, both to 8 m.
The fill of Site K is just 500 m from Site J.
K is composed by 12 m sandy and clayey silt,
overlaying sediments of sandy silt. GW is 4 meters
below the slope foot. Four SPT were realized down
to 10 to 13 m and four DPL, reaching 9 to 12 m.
3.5 Slope configuration
Generally, the Brazilian highway cuts are constructed in slope V:H 1:1 and the fills are flatter,
normally 1:1,5. It is not rare that slopes are steeper
than they should be, high and in lack of berms. One
explication is that the cut surfaces after some years,
exposed to the atmosphere, undergoes decomposition and decrease in stability.

Back analysis.

the calculus method of Bishop (simplified). The

procedure of a back-analysis of an unstable slope is
based on a mathematic model of limit equilibrium.
Input the geometry of the slope, before and after
failure, find the sliding-surface and proceed with
an iterative process of evaluation of the shear
parameters.
4.2

Result of back-analysis

Table 2 shows the resulting shear parameters from

the back-analysis. The weight is obtained from
laboratory tests.
The slopes on sites D and G could not be backanalyzed, as the problem is erosion and no sliding
surface exist to measure.
5
5.1

TRI-AXIAL TEST
Sample

CU tri-axial test was considered accurate to

respond for the situations on all the sites. First,
undisturbed samples were extracted from depths
ranging from 1,15 m to 4,30 m. From every sample
were molded 4 specimen of diameter 50 mm and
extension 105 mm.
5.2

Tri-axial test aparatus

The tests were carried out on Wykham Farrance

equipments (origin UK).
4

BACK-ANALYSIS
5.3

4.1 Analysis
The back-analysis were made on 9 sites, A, B, C,
E, F, H, I, J and K. Critical sections were drawn
in the software GS Slope using the Norwegian
calculus method of Janbu and in Slide 5,0, using

Test procedure

In the tri-axial test, the undisturbed soil specimen

were subjected to different stress levels and drainage conditions to simulate as close as possible the
different situations that can occur in the subsoil
on site.

1252

Table 3.

Tri-axial tests.

Table 4.

Number and depth of DPL tests.

Site

c (kPa)

()

(kN/m3)

z (m)

Site

DP1

DP2

DP3

DP4

DP5

DP6

DP7

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

10
8
7
20
5
5

15
20
10
10

30
34
36
33
34
37

39
25
31
32

16
19
19
20
20
18

18
16
19
20

1,2
2,1
1,2
4,2
2,0
3,0

1,2
2,2
3,2
4,2

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

7
8
3
10
11
8
6
7
7
8
9

11
7
11
10
9
5

5
4
8
12

3
9
11
8

5
6
2
8

10

10

11

2
10

10

Water content and density were measured on

every specimen. On site G the tri-axial test was
canceled by administrative motives.
In the consolidated un-drained test method the
shear strength is measured in terms of total stress.
The specimens are saturated and allowed to consolidate at different levels of confining pressure
before failure. The CU test was carried out by the
velocity of 0,1 mm/min. Due to the fact that shear
strength increases the effective stresses, the Mohr
Coulomb model can be applied in terms of effective stress.
During the failure stage the specimen was not
allowed to drain and pore pressure was measured. The effective stresses were calculated as the
difference between the total stress and the pore
pressure.
5.4 Result of tri-axial tests
Table 3 shows the resulting shear parameters evaluated by Mohr circles. The last column, z indicate
depth of sample extraction on the site.
6

DPL TEST

6.1 Location
The DPL tests were realized on all 11 sites. The
tests closest to the pit of sample extracting for the
tri-axial test are highlighted in bold.
In spite of an unexpected event under the mobilization to site F, the closest DPL was 50 m from
the sample pit, so, there is no logic association
between the tests on that site.
6.2 DPL cone lateral friction, f
The DPL torque tests were carried out every meter
as earlier related.

Figure 4. Example of measured lateral friction. DP 03

on site B.

7
7.1

COMPARISON
Statistics

The arithmetic mean of all nine sites were calculated and compared with the test values. DPL
showed up to be the test nearest the median line.
The mean value of lateral friction of the DPL test

1253

Table 5.

Comparison.

Site

Mean

Std. deviation

CV (%)

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

35,5
35,2
37,5

30,5
29,5

49,2
38,3
32,7
34,3

0,5
2,6
1,5

0,3
7,6

2,4
3,1
1,1
2,4

1,3
7,4
3,9

0,9
25,9*

4,9
8,0
3,3
7,1

*Observe that site F shows a greater deviation of CV,

in spite of the DPL test was performed 50 m from the
sample pit, a very long distance to be coherent with the
tri-axial test.

Figure 6. Comparison of the shear resistance Su (kPa)

as function of z(m) from tests and analysis from sites E,F
and H.

Figure 5. Comparison of the shear resistance Su (kPa)

as function of z(m) from tests and analysis from sites A,B
and C.

was in 7 of 8 cases position between the shear

resistances of tri-axial test and back-analysis. CV,
the coefficient of variance (std. deviation/mean)
for DPL compared with the mean value ranged
between 0,6 and 3,1 returned an average of the
CV of 4,6%

1254

Figure 8. Colored states have records by DPL

NILSSON tests (2011).

DPL test in relation to the mean. The CV is the

percentual deviation from the mean.
7.3

Graphs

The results presented as plotted in graphs showing

the nine sites as tested and evaluated. The DPL
curve is plotted directly from the graph Lateral
friction published in the logs of the DPL report.
The shear resistance (kPa) as a function of the
depth z (m) serves as a standard to present the
values of cohesion and friction angle from the
back analysis and the tri-axial tests, transformed
to shear resistance by the Mohr-Coulomb formula, and plotted along the range z = 0 to 5 meters.
Legend: 1) DPL test (blue dots). 2) Back-analysis
(red squares) and 3) Tri-axial test (green triangles
on dashed line)
8
8.1

Figure 7. Comparison of the shear resistance Su (kPa)

as function of z(m) from tests and analysis from sites I,J
and C.

7.2

Comparison table back-analysis vs. tri-axial

analysis vs. DPL

Table 5 shows the mean of the shear resistance

of the nine sites. The family of input for calculus
of the mean is 1) DPL test 2) Back-analysis and
3) Tri-axial test. The standard deviation shows the

CONCLUSIONS
Reproduction of reality

DPL test gives a lot of information. The quality

of the test is easy to evaluate, as the procedure is
simple and concentrated in two easy overviewed
operations, field and interpretation. It is realized
in situ, capturing the synergy of several parameters, not all predictable.
The tri-axial test comprises preparing of specimen, extracted from an undisturbed main sample.
Sometimes the depth of extracting requires a huge
operation, with safety restrictions of deeper excavation. The manipulation of a sample involves a
complex chain of procedures with various persons involved. A lot of assumptions will be done,

1255

if not the tri-axial test is accompanied by a lot of

other tests. It is supposed that the quality of a triaxial testif executed correctlyis very good. But
how many tri-axial tests does a normal contractor
afford to make? An analysis of a normal slope evaluated with some few tri-axial test, will be a rude
approach of real facts. A big family of tri-axial
tests will stretch out and prolong the time-sheet
and affect the budget.
The back-analysis evaluates the soil along the
sliding surface, returning a constant parameter
value. This is an approach of real facts. The back
analysis works fine to get an idea of similar events
on a very homogeneous soil, but it does not manage the slope stability regarding the diversity in
stratigraphy.
The fact is that representation of true values is
not entirely satisfied by any of the methods. However, a big quantity of tests is an important strategy
to approach reality concerning the heterogeneous
character of the subsoil.
8.2

Time

The result of the back-analysis is obtained immediately after we have designed the geometry of the
failure of the slope. Tri-axial test are more time
consuming. Sometimes, in Brazil, the delay is about
several months. DPL tests are fast and efficient, a
good option to get the parameters in time.
8.3

Quality

A carefully worked out tri-axial test, on undisturbed, correctly manipulated samples returns
many excellent parameters, useful to set shear
resistance as to set deformation modulus. The
DPL test will give us the lateral friction between
the steel cone and the surrounding soil, which we
consider minor than the internal soil shear resistance. If we equal this lateral friction with shear
resistance, we are one the safe side. It affords more
shear tension to break the internal connection of
soil than to rotate a recent penetrated steel cylinder
surrounded soil.
The proceeding of field tests like SPT and DPL
must obviously be supervised, simple failures of
human origin happens easy. It is necessary to
control location, fall height distance, slow torque
velocity and proper use of water when so demand.
Convinced of the need to supervise probe, logically we need also to control the many procedures
of tri-axial tests, as sample extraction, transport,
preparing, manipulation etc. A report from geologist Ivan Delatim,Probing, Methods, Proceedings and Quality states that 30% of the probings
are reported with a lack > 35% of the information

required by the Brazilian Standard. The report

is based on an investigation of 20 SPT contractors. It concludes that the problem is occasioned
by three principal factors; lack of specialized and
correctly trained labor and lack of control by
contractor and by the client. Can we be sure that
the same figure not includes laboratory tests?
As one measure to improve the control of DPL
test, the company Thomas Nilsson Engenharia
Ltda. requires photographic documentation from
the field campaigns, proving the location of the test
holes, a camera shot of the aligned rods after test
showing eventual water level and movie captures
of every torque test, showing that the velocity limit
of the torque is obeyed.
8.4

DPLcost effective

By a cost and time efficient procedure, DPL is

returning a very valuable input for the shear resistance analysis. The cost of sample extraction and
laboratory test is quite expensive. For the cost of
one tri-axial test it is possible to afford 10 DPL
test. When the final report of DPL tests is emitted,
tri-axial tests captured at the same moment are still
are in the chamber.
9

TO BE CONTINUED

This paper is just a beginning of a smarter and

easier way to get the right things done in geotechnical engineering. If technology offers marvelous solutions, of course we should use the best
practice. But the most advanced technology is
not always the best to use in practice. The focal
must be wide, we cannot just converge on some
isolated technical qualities. The optimal solution
includes also synergy, logistic, administration,
human resources, budget and time. Just insist that
contractors should invest in expensive and timeconsuming tests, even ifhypotheticallylaw
enforced tests should contribute to the most reliable result, will just make us join other countries
in economic crisis provoked by meaningless waste
of resources. The author has 12 years positive
Brazilian experience of the little portable DPL
apparatus and is full confident of its high potent
efficiency and important contribution to civil
engineering projects. The DPL test delivers useful
information and produces much for a small cost. It
is accurate very cost-effective. To convince others,
we need more studies, made by universities, students, engineers companies over all the country.
In special, tri-axial samples would be carried out
along the DPL vertical profile, to be compared
with the DPL torque test.

1256

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