Defining the soil stratigraphy from seismic piezocone data: A clustering approach

The geotechnical ground investigation involves several testing techniques. Within such techniques, the Piezocone Penetration Test with seismic wave measurements (SCPTu) is one of most popular. This test widely used for in situ soil characterisation given its continuous and repeatability. interpretation results has a strong theoretical background, namely allowing identification profile based on correlation mechanical properties. In turn, application multivariate statistical methods allows identifying stratigraphy by data association. paper proposes approach, cluster analysis, defining stratigraphic interfaces from SCPTu measurements. Using an extensive database Lower Tagus Valley region (near Lisbon, Portugal), this novel approach combines four parameters recognises association between A comparison against profiles behaviour index validates efficiency indicating good agreement associations profiles. findings showed that procedure proposed study leads to reliable soils similar type.