A New Approach to the Determination of Mineral and Organic Soil Types Based on Dilatometer Tests (DMT)

Abstract

In order to identify the soil type in the ground, Marchetti’s nomogram chart is commonly used on the basis of dilatometer tests (DMT). In this chart, the material index values (I_D) and the dilatometer modulus (E_D) are used to determine the state and type of soils predominant in mineral soils. Unfortunately, this classification is not accurate enough for the identification of organic soils. This article proposes a new classification based on a nomogram chart for both mineral soils and organic soils using (p₀), (p₁) readings and pore water pressure (u_o).

1. Introduction

The following tests are commonly used across the world to identify the type of mineral and organic soils in the ground of a designed object: a Standard Static Test (SPT), a Pressuremeter (PMT), a Cone Penetration Test (CPT) or a Marchetti dilatometer (DMT).

In recent years, static probing by “dilatometer penetration tests”, commonly known as DMT (Figure 1), is a widely-used method of in situ investigation of the ground to provide information needed by civil engineers for design, construction, permissions, and operation control. The results of the DMT field tests, complemented by well-established experience, need to be considered to derive the characteristic values (X_m) and to later design values (X_d) of geotechnical parameters [1,2,3,4]):

$$X_d=X_m/{\gamma }_M$$

(1)

where γ_M is the partial factor of a material property.

This paper presents a review of the methods used in the identification of soils from DMT test results. Next, the analysis of the results from field test studies on six sites is presented in [5]: The DMT testing was carried out in the frame of the project of SGGW campus development [6], an experimental embankment (Antoniny site), embankment dams (Nielisz, Koszyce and Mielimąka), “Płocka subway station” and Stegny site in Warsaw. Finally, a new diagram for the identification of mineral and organic soils from DMT tests is offered.

2. Methodology and Interpretation of Dilatometer Tests

Dilatometer tests (DMT) were applied to recognize mineral and organic subsoils distinguished in the above-mentioned test sites. The details of the DMT test operation can be found in [2,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. During the DMT tests, A, B and C readings are carried out as shown in Figure 1 [18,19]. A, B and C readings are adjusted according to the inertia impact resistance of the membrane, which allows to determine pressures p₀, p₁ and p₂ (equ. 2 ÷ 4). The pressures p₀, p₁ and p₂ together with the calculated value of the vertical effective stress component σ’_vo and the pore water pressure u_o are used to determine the following dilatometer indexes (equ. 5 ÷ 8) [1,13,17]:

-

0.05 mm corrected pressure treading in DMT p₀

$$p_o=1.05\left(A-Z_M+∆A\right)-0.05\left(B-Z_M-∆B\right)$$

(2)

-

1.10 mm corrected pressure treading in DMT p₁

$$p_1=B-Z_M-∆B$$

(3)

-

corrected third reading in DMT p₂

$$p_2=C-Z_M-∆A$$

(4)

-

Material index I_D

$$I_d=\frac{P_1-P_0}{P_0-u_0}$$

(5)

-

Horizontal earth pressure index K_D

$$K_d=\frac{P_0-u_0}{{\sigma }_0^{\prime }}$$

(6)

-

Dilatometer modulus E_D

$$E_d=34.7·\left(P_1-P_0\right)$$

(7)

-

Water pressure index U_D

$$U_d=\frac{P_2-u_0}{P_0-u_0}$$

(8)

where:

• p₀—A-pressure reading, corrected for Z_m, ΔA membrane stiffness at 0.05 mm expansion, and 0.05 mm expansion itself, to estimate the total soil stress acting normal to the membrane immediately before its expansion into the soil (0.00 mm expansion).
• p₁—B-pressure reading corrected for Z_m and ΔB membrane stiffness at 1.10 mm expansion to give the total soil stress acting normal to the membrane at 1.10 mm membrane expansion.
• p₂—C-pressure reading corrected for Z_m and ΔA membrane stiffness at 0.05 mm expansion and used to estimate pore-water pressure.
• σ’_vo—vertical effective stress at the centre of the membrane before insertion of the DMT blade.
• u₀—pore-water pressure acting at the centre of the membrane before insertion of the DMT blade (often assumed as hydrostatic below the water table surface).
• Z_m—gage pressure deviation from zero when vented to atmospheric pressure (an offset used to correct pressure readings to the true gage pressure).

In order to reduce the necessity of using various types of equipment, field research methods are being sought that allow interpretation of the results obtained in a wide range. One of the field studies that meets this requirement is the Marchetti dilatometer [1], used more often in the country. The biggest advantage of studying the dilatometer is fast and not very complicated measurement, on the basis of which it is possible to determine the profiles of many soil parameters. The interpretation of ground parameters is based on the use of empirical relationships linking the results of measurements to the values of ground parameters [20,21]. It is standardized in the ASTM and the Eurocode [3]. The DMT has been the object of a detailed monograph by the ISSMGE Technical Committee TC16 [22,23,24].

In the case of dilatometer (DMT) investigations, the diagrams generally developed by Marchetti were commonly used [1,2] (

Table 1. Soil classification based on material index I_D [1].

Soil Type		Material Index ID (-)
Organic soils and cohesive soils	Peat/Sensitive clays	<0.10
	Clay	0.10–0.35
	Silty clay	0.35–0.60
	Clayey silt	0.60–0.90
	Silt	0.90–1.20
	Sandy silt	1.20–1.80
non-cohesive soils	Silty sand	1.80–3.30
	Sand	>3.30

, Figure 2). Marchetti [1] proposed a soil classification based on the I_D material index where the value of the material index I_D < 0.10 points to peat or sensitive clays with no clear discrimination between them. However, it should be pointed out that the diagram was developed based mainly on soil mineral tests. The Marchetti and Crapps diagram shows the relationship between the material index I_D and the dilatometer modulus E_D (in a log-log scale). The unit weight of soils (cohesive soils and non-cohesive soils) and their states are also presented in this diagram. Soils are classified as organic soils where the material index I_D < 0.6 and the dilatometer modulus E_D < 1.2 MPa.

Based on the analysis of dilatometer test results for pre-consolidated cohesive soils and organic soils, Larsson [7] proposed a revision of the value of the material index I_D by taking into account the impact of pre-consolidation on the change of its value. The adjusted value of the material index I_D(kor) according to Larsson’s recommendations [7] can be determined from the following relationships (Figure 3):

-

for depth < 2.0 m at K_D > 2.5

$$I_{D\left(kor\right)}=I_D-0.075·\left(K_D-2.5\right)$$

(9)

-

for depth ≥ 2.0 m at K_D > 2.5

$$I_{D\left(kor\right)}=I_D-0.035·\left(K_D-2.5\right)$$

(10)

If K_D < 2.5 and/or I_D ≤ 0.1 to I_D(kor) = I_D.

The nomogram chart proposed by Larsson [7] to determine the type of soil and its bulk density, based on the adjusted value of the material index I_D(kor) and the dilatometer modulus E_D, is shown in Figure 4. The characterization of soil on the corrected material index I_D(kor) ≤ 0.6 (Table 1) is based on undrained shear strength τ_fu, using the division proposed by Leroueil and co-workers [25] (

Table 2. Soil states based on undrained shear strength [25].

Description of Soil State	Undrained Shear Strength τfu [kPa]
Very soft	<12.5
Soft	12.5–25
firm	25–50
Stiff	50–100
Very stiff	100–200
Hard	>200

).

Geotechnical Conditions of Test Sites

This paper presents the test results of mineral and organic subsoil obtained from Antoniny and Koszyce sites located in the Noteć river valley in the Wielkopolska province, Nielisz site located in the Wieprz river valley in Lublin province, the SGGW Campus with the Department of Geotechnical Engineering SGGW, and the Stegny site located in Warsaw, where a laboratory and field testing programme has been carried out under and outside of the main dam embankment [26,27,28]. The location of all analyzed objects is shown in Figure 5. The grain size distribution curve obtained from laboratory tests for mineral soil from the described sites is presented in Figure 6.

The Antoniny test embankment was designed and performed in the frame of cooperation between the Department of Geotechnical Engineering SGGW and the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI). The physical properties of the soil at the Antoniny site were determined during previous WULS-SGGW tests. The peat and gyttja layers have a thickness of 7.5 m; the ground is preconsolidated with the overconsolidated ratio OCR at 3–5 for peat, and 1.5–2.5 for gyttja [29,30,31]. The embankment was located in the Noteć river valley on organic sediments, which contain two layers: peat with a thickness of 4.1 m and gyttja with a thickness of 3.7 m. Generally, the organic subsoil is composed of amorphous peat with varying carbonate gyttja, and variable content of organic matter and calcium carbonate. In the amorphous peat, the content of organic parts I_om ranges from 65% to 75%, the content of calcium carbonate CaCO₃ is equal to 10 ÷ 15% at moisture w_n between 310 and 340%, and the determined liquidity limit W_L is 305 ÷ 450%. The unit density ρ is 1.05 ÷ 1.10 g/cm³, when the specific density is ρ_s = 1.45 ÷ 1.50 g/cm³. In the calcareous gyttja, the content of organic parts I_om ranges from 5% to 20%, the content of calcium carbonate CaCO₃ is equal to 65 ÷ 90% at moisture w_n between 105 and 140%, and the determined liquidity limit W_L is 80 ÷ 110%. The unit density ρ is 1.25 ÷ 1.40 g/cm³, whereas the specific density ρ_s = 2.2 ÷ 2.30 g/cm³ [26,27,28] (

Table 3. Index properties of organic soils at the Antoniny, Koszyce, Nielisz, Stegny and SGGW Campus test sites.

Site	Type of Soil	Organic Content Iom [%]	CaCO3 Content [%]	Water Content wn [%]	Liquid Limit wL [%]	Density
						Unit Weight of Soil ρ [t/m3]	Specific Weight of Soil ρs [t/m3]
Antoniny	amorphous Peat	65–75	10–15	310–340	305–450	1.05–1.10	1.45–1.50
	calcareous Gyttja	5–20	65–90	105–140	80–110	1.25–1.40	2.2–2.30
Koszyce	amorphous Peat	70–85	5–15	400–550	450	1.05–1.1	1.45–1.50
	calcareous Gyttja (Gy)	10–20	65–80	120–160	80–110	1.20–1.35	2.1–2.25
	calcareous Gyttja (Gy)	15–20	65–75	180–220	100–110	1.25–1.30	2.2
Nielisz	Organic mud (Mor)	20–30	-	120–150	130–150	1.25–1.30	2.25–2.3
	Organic mud (Mor)	10–20	-	105–120	110–130	1.30–1.45	2.30–2.40
Stegny	Pliocene clays	-	-	19.20–28.50	67.6–88.0	2.1–2.2	2.68–2.73
SGGW Campus	Boulder clay	-	-	5.20–20.10	21.9–26.6	2.0–2.2	2.68–2.73

).

The Koszyce test dam was located in the Ruda river valley. A subsoil layer of soft organic soils was discovered in the central part of the dam. The organic soils are Quaternary deposits of an oxbow lake. The thickness of organic soils in this region generally exceeds 10 m and locally even 20 m. Dense sand occurs under the organic soils. The upper organic soils in the test area consist of a 2.5 m thick peat layer on the top of a 10.5 m thick gyttja layer underlain by a sand layer. In the amorphous peat, the content of organic parts I_om ranges from 70% to 85% and the content of calcium carbonate CaCO₃ is equal to 5 ÷ 15% at moisture w_n between 400% and 550%, and the determined liquidity limit W_L is 450%. The unit density ρ is 1.05 ÷ 1.10 g/cm³, at the specific density ρ_s = 1.45 ÷ 1.50 g/cm³. Based on the index properties, the gyttja layer was sub-divided into three layers, the first one with a thickness of 2.5 to 6.3 m. In the calcareous gyttja (G_y), the content of organic parts I_om ranges from 10% to 20% and the content of calcium carbonate CaCO₃ is equal to 65 ÷ 80% at moisture w_n in the range of 120% and 160% and the determined liquidity limit W_L is 80 ÷ 110%. The unit density ρ is 1.20 ÷ 1.35 g/cm³, at the specific density ρ_s = 2.1 ÷ 2.25 g/cm³. The second layer has a thickness from 6.3 to 10.5 m and represents calcareous gyttja (G_y). Its content of organic parts I_om ranges from 10% to 20% and the content of calcium carbonate CaCO₃ is equal to 65 ÷ 75% at moisture w_n between 180% and 220%, and the determined liquidity limit W_L is 100 ÷ 110%. The unit density ρ is 1.25 ÷ 1.30 g/cm³, whereas the specific density ρ_s is 2.20 g/cm³. The third gyttja (calcareous-organic) (G_y) layer has the following properties: the content of organic parts I_om ranges from 10% to 15% and the content of calcium carbonate CaCO₃ is equal to 70 ÷ 75% at moisture w_n between 135% and 140%, and the determined liquidity limit W_L is 105%. The unit density ρ is 1.30 ÷ 1.35 g/cm³, whereas the specific density ρ_s = 2.2 g/cm³ [26,27,28]. The static ground water level is present in the peat layer at the depth of 0.5 m below the ground surface. The preconsolidation pressure obtained from oedometer tests is higher than the initial values of effective vertical stresses, which shows that organic soils are overconsolidated with an overconsolidation ratio, OCR, in the range of 1.5 ÷ 4 [26,27,28] (Table 3).

The physical properties of the soil at the Nielisz site were determined during previous WULS-SGGW tests. The layer of soft subsoil has a thickness of 3 m to 5 m; the ground is slightly preconsolidated [29,30,31]. Two layers of organic subsoil were distinguished at the Nielisz site. In the first layer, the content of organic parts ranges from 20% to 30% at moisture between 120% and 150% and the determined liquidity limit W_L is 130 ÷ 150%. The bulk density is 1.25 ÷ 1.30 g/cm³, whereas the specific density is 2.25 ÷ 2.30 g/cm³. In the second layer lying below, the content of the organic part is 10 ÷ 20% at a moisture of 105 ÷ 120% and a liquidity limit of 110 ÷ 130%; the bulk density of the layer is 1.30 ÷ 1.45 g/cm³, and the specific density is 2.30 ÷ 2.40 g/cm³. These layers are separated by sandy silt. Beyond the existing embankment under the downstream berm and the upstream slope, the soft soils are overconsolidated with an overconsolidation ratio, OCR, decreasing from 3 to 2 with depth [28] (Table 3).

Taking into account the physical and mechanical properties of the soils, five geotechnical layers were distinguished in the grounds of the WULS-SGGW Campus (Figure 6). Layer I consists of fluvioglacial layers of the Warta Glaciation (^fgQ_pW)—medium and fine sands, with relative density D_r = 0.35 ÷ 0.55, and clay sands, sandy clays and silt with I_L = 0.15 ÷ 0.20. Layer II represents the meltout sediments of the Warta Glaciation (bQ_pW)—medium and fine sands with I_D = 0.3 ÷ 0.5, and sandy clay and clay sands with I_L = 0.0 ÷ 0.20 and I_L = 0.25 ÷ 0.54. Layer III is brown glacial clay from the Warta Glaciation (^gQ_pW)—sandy clays with I_L = 0.0 ÷ 0.11. Layer IV is grey glacial clay from the Odra Glaciation (^gQ_pO)—sandy boulder clays with I_L = 0.0 ÷ 0.12. Layers III and IV are similar in terms of plasticity, but clearly differ in the sand fraction content. The sandy clays layer III contains a few percent more of the sand fraction, which together with the analysis of the results of DMT sounding were the basis for the separation of these layers into sublayers. Layer V comprises river sediments of the Mazovian Interglacial (^fQ_pM)—fine and medium sands, in the roof very compact layers with a relative density D_r = 0.8 ÷ 0.9 (Figure 6). Boulder clays with the OCR = 3 ÷ 7 are similar in terms of plasticity, but clearly differ in the content of the sand fraction [6] (Table 3).

The Stegny site is located in southern Warsaw, where a few sedimentation cycles, from sands to clays, were observed in vertical succession. The entire complex of Pliocene clays comprises of clays, silty clays (60–70%), silts (10–25%), and sands (10–20%). The CaCO₃ and organic matter contents do not exceed 5% and 1%, respectively. The basic properties of the Mio-Pliocene clays are presented in Table 3.

Based on laboratory tests, Figure 4 shows the grain distribution curve for all analyzed objects.

3. Results

3.1. Dilatometer Tests Results

The test results obtained for selected sites are presented in Figure 7 and Figure 8. They were taken into account in the construction of a new classification system for organic soils presented in the following chapter.

3.2. Proposed Classification Chart

The diagram chart developed in this paper is based on the diagram proposed by Marchetti and Crapps [2] (Figure 9). In this paper, based on the analysis of the dilatometer test results for pre-consolidated mineral and organic soils, it is proposed to introduce direct values p₁—B-pressure reading corrected for Z_m and ΔB membrane stiffness at 1.10 mm expansion to give the total soil stress acting normal to the membrane at 1.10 mm membrane expansion on the vertical axis, p₀ and u_o. Figure 10 shows the classification chart proposed in this paper based on p₁ and soil type index I_SDMT values to determine the soil type, its bulk weight, and undrained shear strength. Based on the u_o, p₀ and p₁ values, the soil states were separated (Table 1); they were established on the undrained shear strength τ_fu, using the division proposed by Leroueil together with co-workers [24,32].

Analysis of the traced points on Marchetti’s nomogram by inserting the dilatometer modulus E_D (MPa) on the vertical axis and the index I_D (-) value on the horizontal axis shows that only this part of the non-cohesive soil area (I_D > 1.8) gives clear discrimination of this group. However, the remaining soils of these divisions are not visible. Therefore, an action was undertaken to determine the boundaries of the division of a particular group of soils (residual mineral soils and organic soils); presented in Figure 10.

In order to create a mechanism for sub-dividing the area for each soil, a new interpretation of dilatometer results was proposed as follows by introducing the values p₁ (MPa) and S_tDMT = (p₀ − u_o)/p₁. Namely, it was necessary to enter p₁ (MPa) values on the vertical axis and S_tDMT = (p₀ − u_o)/p₁ values on the horizontal axis. On the basis of this technique, it can be noticed that in the case of non-cohesive soils, results similar as in Marchetti’s nomogram will be obtained. However, for both cohesive soils and organic soils, this new approach gives a clear subdivision of the area for a specific soil. As shown in Figure 10, seven areas may currently be distinguished. The areas are depicted by variously coloured dashed lines: the line in black represents non-cohesive soils, the line in blue stands for silt soils, the line in brown represents clay soils, the line in violet is the transition area, the line in red is gyttja, the line in green is mud and organic mud, and the line in grey represents peat.

To recognize the residual mineral soils and organic soils in a more detailed manner compared to Marchetti and Crapps [2], the proposed diagram shows the relationship between the second reading p₁ and the soil type index I_SDMT (Equation (11)). The I_SDMT soil type index values can be calculated using Equation (11). Subsoils are classified as organic soils when the soil type index 0.40 < I_SDMT ≤ 1.0 and the second pressure dilatometer reading p₁ is in the range of 0.01 MPa < p₁ ≤ 1.0 MPa (

Table 4. Proposed soil classification based on I_SDMT and p₁ from in situ (DMT) tests.

Zone	Description	ρ (t/m3)	ρd (t/m3)	Void Ratio e (-)	wn (%)	p1 (MPa)	ISDMT (-)	τfu (MPa) from FVT
Residual mineral soils
1	Coarse sand (CSa)	1.70 ÷ 2.15	1.65 ÷ 2.0	0.20 ÷ 0.48	4.0 ÷ 25	0.2 ˂ p1 ≤ 10	0.0 ÷ 0.1	0.10 ≤ τfu < 0.30
2	Medium sand (MSa)	1.70 ÷ 2.15	1.65 ÷ 2.0	0.20 ÷ 0.48	4.0 ÷ 25	0.2 ˂ p1 ≤ 10	0.1 ÷ 0.2	0.10 ≤ τfu < 0.30
3	Fine sand (Fsa)	1.70 ÷ 2.15	1.60 ÷ 2.0	0.20 ÷ 0.48	5.0 ÷ 28	0.2 ˂ p1 ≤ 10	0.2 ÷ 0.3	0.10 ≤ τfu < 0.30
4	Silty sand(siSa)	1.70 ÷ 2.15	1.59 ÷ 2.0	0.20 ÷ 0.48	5.0 ÷ 28	0.2 ˂ p1 ≤ 10	0.3 ÷ 0.4	0.10 ≤ τfu < 0.30
5	SILT(Si)	1.60 ÷ 2.10	1.4 ÷ 1.90	0.18 ÷ 0.70	10 ÷ 30	2.0 ˂ p1 ≤ 10	0.4 ÷ 0.75	0.02 ≤ τfu < 0.5
6	CLAY(Cl)	1.60 ÷ 2.10	1.50 ÷ 1.70	0.18 ÷ 0.40	20 ÷ 40	0.5 ˂ p1 ≤ 2	0.4 ÷ 0.75	0.02 ≤ τfu < 0.6
Organic soils
7	Gyttja (Gy)	1.20 ÷ 1.40	0.50 ÷ 0.60	2.5 ÷ 3.2;	110% ÷ 150%	0.09 ≤ p1 ˂0.2	0.40 ˂ ISDMT ≤ 1.0	0.0125 ≤ τfu < 0.0255
8	Mud (M) or Organic mud (Mor)	1.25 ÷ 1.70	0.54 ÷ 0.67	2.6 ÷ 3.2;	110% ÷ 140%	0.2 ˂ p1 ≤ 0.5		0.0255 ≤ τfu < 0.0505
9	peat	1.05 ÷ 1.10	0.17 ÷ 0.244	4.5 ÷ 7.3	350% ÷ 500%	p1 ˂ 0.09		τfu < 0.0125
10								τfu > 0.0125

and

Table 5. Proposed soil classification based on I_SDMT and p₁ from in situ (DMT) tests.

Soil Types\Parameters	Residual Mineral Soils		Organic Soils
	Non-Cohesive Soils	Cohesive Soils	Gyttja (Gy)	Mud (M) and Organic Mud (Mor)	Peat
ISDMT	0.0 ˂ ISDMT ≤ 0.4	0.4 ˂ ISDMT ≤ 0.75	0.4 ˂ ISDMT ≤ 1.0
p1 (MPa)	0.1 ˂ p1 ≤ 10	1.0 ˂ p1 ≤ 10	0.09 ≤ p1 ˂ 0.2	0.2 ˂ p1 ≤ 0.5	p1 ˂ 0.09

). The new diagram contains 10 areas: 1 ÷ 4—non-cohesive soils, 5—silt, 6—clay, 7—gyttja, 8—mud/organic mud, and 9 ÷ 10—peat (Figure 11a–c). For a more precise subdivision of organic soils, an additional nomogram chart was developed for areas 7, 8, 9 and 10. The detailed form and the use of this nomogram chart is shown in Figure 11b,c.

Soil type index:

$$I_{SDMT}=\frac{p_0-u_o}{P_1}$$

(11)

4. Conclusions

Peat and gyttja, as well as organic mud, are located in the lower boundary zone of mineral soils, and in some cases, slightly above the limit set by Marchetti for organic soils. A very good and effective complement to this system are the methods developed in this article. The new system facilitates a more accurate separation of soils in the group into gyttia, peat, organic mud, clay, silt, and sands. This possibility is also confirmed in this study, in which gyttjas are relatively well-discriminated from organic mud, and peat is clearly separated from organic mud. In addition, distinct subdivisions can also be seen between silt, clay, and sand.

An analysis of the subsoil of mineral and organic soils that have been carried out in the DMT study allow for the conclusion that the identification of the zone and the range of non-cohesive, cohesive, and organic soils in the subsoil is possible by means of DMT classification systems using p₀, p₁ and u_o parameters. The effectiveness of the systems depends on the complex number of factors affecting the parameters measured in DMT (p₀, p₁).