Numerical simulation of cone penetration test in a small-volume calibration chamber: The effect of boundary conditions

In this study, laboratory Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) were conducted in the MARUM Calibration Chamber (MARCC) with three lateral boundary conditions: (BC), constant stress, constant strain and the simulated field conditions with constant stiffness. Cuxhaven-Sand was studied in the chamber tests and tip resistance-relative density (q c -D r ) relationships were generated for each BC. Laboratory experiments were carried out to estimate the mechanical properties of the Cuxhaven-Sand. Multiple numerical analysis have then been undertaken to simulate the calibration chamber results. First, the soil model was calibrated against laboratory soil parameters and a CPT result of the calibration chamber with fixed lateral boundaries, then, a numerical penetration analysis in an infinite soil mass was performed to evaluate the implemented constant stiffness boundary condition in the chamber. Good agreement between experimental and numerical cone resistances demonstrates the possibility of using the advanced small volume MARCC for producing controlled CPT results applicable in true field test conditions