1

AS 1289.6.3.3 1997

Australian Standard

Accessed by CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - BCA on 04 Aug 2014 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Methods of testing soils for engineering

purposes
Method 6.3.3: Soil strength and consolidation
testsDetermination of the penetration
resistance of a soilPerth sand penetrometer
test
1 SCOPE This method sets out the procedure for determining the resistance of a soil to
penetration by a flat ended rod of 16 0.2 mm diameter driven with a 9 kg mass, dropping
600 mm. Use of the method is limited to granular soils with a maximum particle size not
exceeding 2 mm, and a layer thickness of at least of 450 mm. This Standard may involve
hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This Standard does not purport to address
all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2

REFERENCED DOCUMENT

AS
1289
1289.6.3.2

The following document is referred to in this Standard:

Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes

Method 6.3.2: Soil strength and consolidation tests Determination of the
penetration resistance of a soil 9 kg dynamic cone penetrometer test

3 APPARATUS The required apparatus is a Perth sand penetrometer, conforming to the

dimensions and masses given in Figure 1.
4
(a)

PROCEDURE

The procedure shall be as follows:

Excavate to the level to be tested (see Note 1). Remove material such as crushed rock
or gravel, which will be too hard to penetrate with the penetrometer or could damage
the equipment.
Measure the depth from the surface level to the upper surface of the layer to be tested,
to the nearest 10 mm, and record.

(b)

Hold the penetrometer vertical with the tip on the surface of the layer to be tested and
tap the hammer on the anvil until a penetration of 150 mm is achieved.

(c)

Raise the hammer to the stop and allow it to fall freely onto the anvil. Count the
number of blows required to drive the penetrometer a distance of 300 mm (total
penetration 450 mm) (see Note 2).

5 CALCULATIONS The penetration resistance (Np) shall be calculated by totalling the

number of blows to produce 300 mm further penetration after the initial penetration
of 150 mm.

COPYRIGHT

Accessed by CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - BCA on 04 Aug 2014 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

AS 1289.6.3.3 1997
2

DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE 1

PERTH SAND PENETROMETER

COPYRIGHT

Accessed by CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - BCA on 04 Aug 2014 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

TEST REPORT

AS 1289.6.3.3 1997

Report the following results and general information, as appropriate:

(a)

Depth below surface at the commencement of penetration.

(b)

The penetration resistance, Np, (blows per 300 mm penetration).

(c)

Any variation to the normal testing procedure.

(d)

Soil description.

(e)

Moisture condition of soil, i.e. wet, dry or moisture content, if determined.

(f)

Location of groundwater table.

(g)

Date of test.

(h)

Location of test.

(i)

Reduced level of ground surface at test site.

(j)

Reference to this Standard, i.e. AS 1289.6.3.3.

NOTES ON TEST:
1

The location of possible subsurface services such as gas, water and electricity should be
determined before commencing this test.

If desired, the methods of test described in AS 1289.6.3.2 may be used. Any variation
from the standard method should be noted when reporting results.

Results from this test are often used in the design of footings. Refer Paper No. 1920
Glick, G. L. and Clegg, B. Use of a penetrometer for site investigation and compaction
control at Perth, W.A. Civil Engineering Transactions. Institution of Engineers, Australia.
1965.

COPYRIGHT

AS 1289.6.3.3 1997

This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee CE/9, Testing of Soils for Engineering Purposes. It was approved on
behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 28 February 1997 and published on 5 June 1997.

Accessed by CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - BCA on 04 Aug 2014 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

The following interests are represented on Committee CE/9:

Australian Geomechanics Society
AUSTROADS
Crushed Stone Association of Australia
Department of Administrative Services, Scientific Services Laboratory AGAL
Institution of Engineers, Australia
National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia
University of Sydney

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to periodic review
and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editions as necessary. It is important therefore that Standards users
ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue of
Publications; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine The Australian Standard, which subscribing
members receive, and which gives details of new publications, new editions and amendments, and of withdrawn Standards.
Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards Australia, are welcomed. Notification
of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without delay in order that the matter may be
investigated and appropriate action taken.

Originated as AS 1289.F3.31984.
Revised and redesignated AS 1289.6.3.31997.
Incorporating:
Amdt 11999

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 95209.

Copyright STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Users of Standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all Standards Australia publications and software. Except where the
Copyright Act allows and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by Standards Australia may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from Standards
Australia. Permission may be conditional on an appropriate royalty payment. Requests for permission and information on commercial
software royalties should be directed to the head office of Standards Australia.
Standards Australia will permit up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard to be copied for use exclusively
in-house by purchasers of the Standard without payment of a royalty or advice to Standards Australia.
Standards Australia will also permit the inclusion of its copyright material in computer software programs for no royalty
payment provided such programs are used exclusively in-house by the creators of the programs.
Care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the
Standard is amended or revised. The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identified.
The use of material in print form or in computer software programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in
commercial contracts is subject to the payment of a royalty. This policy may be varied by Standards Australia at any time.

ISBN 0 7337 1059 X

Accessed by CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - BCA on 04 Aug 2014 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

This document has expired.

This page has been left intentionally blank.