Use of the Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) method to interpret late Quaternary tide-dominated successions: A case study from the eastern China coastal plain

Zhang, Xia; Lin, Chun-Ming; Dalrymple, Robert W.; Gao, Shu; Canas, Daniel T.

doi:10.1016/j.csr.2018.03.012

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The Robertson et al . (1986) chart is considered one of the most effective tools for sediment classification (Berry et al ., 1998) and has become popular also among stratigraphers (Lafuerza et al ., 2005; Styllas, 2014; Zhang et al ., 2018; Helfensdorfer et al ., 2020). In this study, Qc was plotted against FR in the updated, non‐normalized soil behaviour type (SBT) chart of Robertson (2010).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Llobregat delta plain (Spain), using Qc and FR parameters, Lafuerza et al (2005) characterized six 'sediment facies' within a delta depositional system. In the macrotidal setting of the Qiantang River estuary (China), Zhang et al (2018) distinguished five facies associations by CPT profiles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cone penetration (CPT) and piezocone tests (CPTU) have been utilized originally for geotechnical and engineering purposes, such as soil characterization and site assessment (Robertson et al ., 1986; Lunne et al ., 1997; Rampello & Callisto, 1998; Schneider et al ., 2008; Lo Presti et al ., 2009; Long & Donohue, 2010; Lorenzo et al ., 2014). Different studies showed their valuable potential for sedimentological analysis and subsurface stratigraphic investigations of unconsolidated, non‐gravel deposits of modern coastal and delta plains worldwide (Schoustra, 1975; Taylor et al ., 1993; Devincenzi et al ., 2003; Lafuerza et al ., 2005; Sarti et al ., 2012; Zhang et al ., 2018; Helfensdorfer et al ., 2020). CPT–CPTU have also been utilized for subsurface reconstructions (Coerts, 1996; Törnqvist et al ., 2000; Hijma et al ., 2009; Amorosi et al ., 2020), geoarchaeological surveys (Bates et al ., 2007; Vos et al ., 2015; Koster, 2016), groundwater remediation (Quinnan et al ., 2010), hydrostratigraphic characterization (Campo et al ., 2020a), hydrogeological investigation (Stegmann et al ., 2011; Gu et al ., 2021) aquifer modelling (Flach et al ., 2005; Gueting et al ., 2015) and estimation of liquefaction hazard (Facciorusso et al ., 2015; Romeo et al ., 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following calibration with sediment core analysis from the same sites, CPT–CPTU may offer continuous ( in situ ) views of sedimentological data with great accuracy, repeatability and economical convenience for facies identification (Schokker & Koster, 2004; Truong et al ., 2016), stratigraphic correlation (Moran et al ., 1989; Beets et al ., 1996; Curzi et al ., 2017), mapping (Powell & Quarterman, 1995) and sequence stratigraphic interpretation (Styllas, 2014; Zhang et al ., 2014). However, despite this relatively large body of research, little attention has been dedicated to sedimentary facies characterization through CPT–CPTU profiles, and very few studies have clearly documented CPT–CPTU signatures of ‘facies’ (Lafuerza et al ., 2005; Choi & Kim, 2006; Amorosi et al ., 2017a; Zhang et al ., 2018; Bruno et al ., 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the macrotidal setting of the Qiantang River estuary (China), Zhang et al . (2018) distinguished five facies associations by CPT profiles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sedimentary facies characterization through CPTU profiles: An effective tool for subsurface investigation of modern alluvial and coastal plains

2023

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Cone penetration tests, a method that is typically used to determine the engineering properties of soils, can be used as an effective tool for refined subsurface stratigraphic investigations of alluvial and coastal plains, aside from the geographic location. High‐resolution calibration of piezocone penetration tests (CPTU) with 20 sediment cores enabled the detailed characterization of alluvial, deltaic and coastal depositional systems of the Po Plain. Twelve cored facies associations, typical of alluvial and coastal plain environments, were characterized based on four distinct CPTU profiles: basic cone resistance (Qc), sleeve friction (Fs), water pore pressure (U) and friction ratio (FR). Sandy facies associations (fluvial/distributary channel, bay‐head delta, transgressive barrier, delta‐front/beach‐ridge) typically have high (>4 MPa) Qc, low‐to‐negative U and low (<2%) FR. Muddy deposits (well‐drained/poorly‐drained floodplain, swamp, lagoon and prodelta) exhibit opposite trends. Heterolithic facies associations (crevasse‐levée, offshore/delta‐front transition) display characteristic seesaw profiles. Plotting of late Quaternary deposits onto the latest version of the cone penetration test typical soil behaviour chart (Robertson, 2010) enables the identification of distinctive facies associations reflecting distinctive grain size. CPTU interpretation leads to sedimentary facies recognition well beyond the simple lithological differentiation and, in particular, allows the refined characterization of clay‐rich and silt‐rich depositional units (swamp clays and peats, central‐inner and outer lagoon, proximal/distal prodelta deposits) that exhibit only subtle differences in lithology. CPTU data can also serve for the accurate detection of key stratigraphic surfaces with potential engineering applications, such as the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary. This latter, a common feature of several alluvial and coastal plain successions, is commonly marked by an abrupt upward decrease of basic cone resistance and sleeve friction from Late Pleistocene, pedogenized, stiff strata to overlying Holocene, organic‐rich, soft deposits. This study offers an updated CPTU‐facies characterization method that could be suitable for subsurface investigations of modern alluvial and coastal plains worldwide.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the macrotidal setting of the Qiantang River estuary (China), Zhang et al . (2018) distinguished five facies associations by CPT profiles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sedimentary facies characterization through CPTU profiles: An effective tool for subsurface investigation of modern alluvial and coastal plains

2023

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Characterizing groundwater salinity patterns in a coastal sand aquifer at Magilligan, Northern Ireland, using geophysical and geotechnical methods

et al. 2022

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Tidal forcing influences groundwater flow and salt distribution in shallow coastal aquifers, with the interaction between sea level variations and geology proving fundamental for assessing the risk of seawater intrusion (SI). Constraining the relative importance of each is often confounded by the influences of groundwater abstraction and geological heterogeneity, with understanding of the latter often restricted by sampling point availability and poor spatial resolution. This paper describes the application of geophysical and geotechnical methods to better characterize groundwater salinity patterns in a tidally dominated ~ 20 m thick sequence of beach sand, unaffected by groundwater abstraction. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) revealed the deposit to consist of an upper wedge of low resistivity (< 3 Ωm), reaching over 8 m thick in the vicinity of the low water mark, overlying a higher resistivity unit. Cone penetrometer testing (CPT), and associated high-resolution hydraulic profiling tool system (HPT), coupled with water quality sampling, revealed the wedge to reflect an intertidal recirculation cell (IRC), which restricts freshwater discharge from a relatively homogeneous sand unit to a zone of seepage within the IRC. The application of CPT and HPT techniques underscored the value of geotechnical methods in distinguishing between geological and water quality contributions to geophysical responses. Survey results have permitted a clear characterization of the groundwater flow regime in a coastal aquifer with an IRC, highlighting the benefit of combining geophysical and geotechnical methods to better characterize shallow SI mechanisms and groundwater flow in coastal hydrogeological environments.

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Smart sampling strategy for investigating spatial distribution of subsurface shallow gas pressure in Hangzhou Bay area of China

Guan

Wang

Cao

et al. 2020

Engineering Geology

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Use of the Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) method to interpret late Quaternary tide-dominated successions: A case study from the eastern China coastal plain

Cited by 7 publications

References 28 publications

Sedimentary facies characterization through CPTU profiles: An effective tool for subsurface investigation of modern alluvial and coastal plains

Sedimentary facies characterization through CPTU profiles: An effective tool for subsurface investigation of modern alluvial and coastal plains

Characterizing groundwater salinity patterns in a coastal sand aquifer at Magilligan, Northern Ireland, using geophysical and geotechnical methods

Smart sampling strategy for investigating spatial distribution of subsurface shallow gas pressure in Hangzhou Bay area of China

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