Robust identification and characterization of thin soil layers in cone penetration data by piecewise layer optimization

Cone penetration testing (CPT) is a preferred method for characterizing soil profiles evaluating seismic liquefaction triggering potential. However, CPT has limitations in highly stratified because the measured tip resistance (qc) of cone penetrometer influenced by properties soils above and below tip. This results qc values that appear “blurred” at sediment layer boundaries, inhibiting our ability to characterize thinly layered strata are potentially liquefiable. Removing this “blur” been previously posed as continuous optimization problem, but some cases methodology less efficacious than desired. Thus, we propose new approach determine corrected (i.e. would be stratum absent thin-layer effects) from values. numerical algorithm searches with finite number layers which can automatically added or removed needed. provided open-source MATLAB software. It yields when applied computer-simulated calibration chamber data. We compare two versions numerically optimize different functions, one uses logarithm refine fine-scale details, requires longer calculation times yield improved profiles.