A case study on the soil classification of the Yellow River Delta based on piezocone penetration test

Piezocone penetration test(CPTu),the preferred in-situ tool for submarine investigation,is significant for soil classification and soil depth profile prediction,which can be used to predict soil types and states.However,the accuracy of these methods needs to be validated for local conditions.To distinguish and evaluate the properties of the shallow surface sediments in Chengdao area of the Yellow River Delta,seabed CPTu tests were carried out at ten stations in this area.Nine soil classification methods based on CPTu data are applied for soil classification.The results of classification are compared with the in-situ sampling to determine whether the method can provide sufficient resolution.The methods presented by Robertson(based on soil behavior type index Ic),Olsen and Mitchell are the more consistent and compatible ones compared with other methods.Considering that silt soils have potential to liquefy under storm tide or other adverse conditions,this paper is able to screen soil classification methods suitable for the Chengdao area and help identify the areas where liquefaction or submarine landslide may occur through CPTu investigation.