Energy balance analyses during Standard Penetration Tests in a virtual calibration chamber

The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is the most popular example of dynamic probing, a large category soil testing techniques. Understanding and interpretation these tests hampered by difficulties reproducing them under controlled laboratory conditions. virtual calibration chamber technique, based on Discrete Element Method (DEM), may supplement or substitute this complex experimentation. In paper SPT in sand are analyzed considering energy transfer involved. Energy balances written for penetrating rod material chamber. All terms computed number cases which main variables controlling test response field -initial density stress level- systematically varied. analysis confirms previous observations indicating that, when an energy-based used, provides value equivalent penetration resistance that same would be obtained with static cone test. analyses also provide unequivocal explanation observation: although impacting shows complicated dynamics quasi-static.