This paper proposes a numerical framework to simulate in-situ free fall cone penetration tests conducted on soft and sensitive marine clay. First, the free fall cone penetration tests are carried out at an offshore site in the northern part of the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. The numerical simulation employs the Generalized Interpolation Material Point Method to replicate the process of indentation of the cone penetrometer into the clay. The clay is modelled using an advanced constitutive model that considers the effect of strain rate and strain softening associated with the dynamic penetration process. The simulation uses a friction contact model to represent the interface between the cone penetrometer and the clay. The numerical simulation accurately replicates the penetration process associated with the tests. @en

In situ free-fall cone penetrometers (FF-CPTs) allow for rapid investigations of undrained shear strength of soft shallow water deposits. Often samples are also studied in geotechnical laboratory by fall cone tests. This study presents in situ FF-CPT and laboratory fall cone testing results of an offshore site in the northern part of the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. Site investigations included seismoacoustic surveys and sediment coring. Based on seismoacoustic reflection profiles and long sediment cores, the local deposits were classified and divided into glaciolacustrine, post-glacial lacustrine and brackish-water stratigraphic units. FFCPT measurements provided in situ undrained shear strength and dynamic cone resistance of the seabed geological units. Laboratory fall cone tests were performed on the vertical core samples at every 0.5m. Comparisons were established between undrained shear strength from FF-CPT tests and from fall cone tests.@en

The paper shows a numerical simulation of a fall cone test done on a soft and sensitive marine clay sample collected from the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. The simulation involves large deformations and takes into account the destructuration of clay, strain rate effects, and non-linear material behaviour. First, the analysed fall cone test was captured with a high-speed camera (1000 frames/sec). MATLAB image processing tools helped to quantify the cone displacement, velocity, and acceleration during the indentation process. Further, we simulate the process of indentation of the cone into the soils using the Generalized Interpolation Material Point Method (GIMP). In the simulation, the undrained shear strength of soil (𝑠𝑢) is taken as a function of strain rate to consider the effect of strain rate on cone indentation, as well as a function of destructuration. The presented numerical simulation replicates well the shown experiment. The simulation results indicate that the present material framework, along with GIMP, can be used to simulate the dynamic penetration process on soft and sensitive clay.@en

The paper presents experimental results of investigations of offshore deposits from the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. Firstly, it briefly reviews the sedimentary history of the studied site. Then, it presents results from marine geological investigations, including seismoacoustic reflection sub-bottom profiles and long sediment cores collected by piston coring. Finally, the paper presents the physical and mechanical properties of the intact soil samples through geotechnical laboratory tests. The data show the distribution of water content, bulk density, undrained shear strength, sensitivity, and organic content of the samples at various depths up to approximately 4 meters. The undrained shear strengths, obtained by fall cone tests, are scattered and the variations are ±35% for the studied specimens. A quantitative correlation between geotechnical data and local sedimentary units and depositional history was not possible in this study. Further efforts are needed to reduce the uncertainties and measurement errors in determining the undrained shear strengths in geotechnical laboratory.@en

This paper shows a numerical replication of a laboratory-scale free fall cone penetrometer test of marine clay. The numerical simulation involves large deformations and considers the destructuration of clay, strain rate effects, and non-linear material behaviour. The numerical simulation well replicates the laboratory experiment captured on a high-speed camera. The penetration process is replicated accurately in time, and the depth of the penetration corresponds to that obtained in an experiment. The simulation results indicate that the numerical framework implemented in Uintah software, consisting of an advanced soil model and the Generalized Interpolation Material Point Method, is well-suited for replication of the dynamic penetration process in soft and sensitive marine clay.@en