ONENGINEER
Geotechnical
When in the field Torvane, Pocket PT, thumb tests and cutting observations for the low budget small projects are often tried. The correlation between the above are often complicated leading to assuming conservative values.
E.g. the repeated thumb tests showed difficult to penetrate (only few millimeters) indicating fine materials are very stiff or stiff with a strength of > 1.5 tsf. Shear Vane tests showed readings of 0.75 to 0.4 tsf and pocket penetrometer showed 1.5 to 3 tsf. Assuming that the tests were conducted correctly on a limited test area, what would be the best estimate of the shear strength.
E.g. the repeated thumb tests showed difficult to penetrate (only few millimeters) indicating fine materials are very stiff or stiff with a strength of > 1.5 tsf. Shear Vane tests showed readings of 0.75 to 0.4 tsf and pocket penetrometer showed 1.5 to 3 tsf. Assuming that the tests were conducted correctly on a limited test area, what would be the best estimate of the shear strength.