ISO 17892-6-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 17892-6:2017 — Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 6: Fall cone test. This standard specifies the fall-cone (fall cone) procedure used to estimate the undrained shear strength (strength index) of fine-grained soils by measuring cone penetration into a small laboratory specimen; it applies to both undisturbed and remoulded specimens and is intended for routine geotechnical laboratory use.

Abstract

Specifies an undrained strength index test (fall cone test) for estimating undrained shear strength of fine-grained soils. The test measures the penetration of a cone allowed to fall onto a soil specimen; penetration values are used to estimate an index undrained shear strength that can be correlated with other laboratory strength tests. The document notes limitations of the test (small specimen size, representativity) and describes use of remoulded/undisturbed specimen results for sensitivity and thixotropy assessment.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard, confirmed).
• Publication date: Edition 1 — 2017-02 (published March 3, 2017 in ISO publication timeline).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 93.020; 13.080.20 (geotechnical investigation and testing; soil testing).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2017).
• Number of pages: 11 (ISO published document page count).

Scope

Defines the fall cone test procedure for laboratory estimation of undrained shear strength of saturated fine-grained soils. Applicable to both undisturbed and remoulded specimens, the scope covers apparatus, specimen preparation, test execution, calculation of characteristic values and reporting requirements, and highlights that results are index estimates that may be correlated with other laboratory strength determinations.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle of the fall cone test: cone geometries, mass/angle and measurement of cone penetration depth.
• Applicability to undisturbed and remoulded fine-grained soils and guidance on specimen preparation.
• Apparatus specification, calibration and verification requirements for repeatable results.
• Test procedure: seating, cone release, penetration measurement, timing and environmental/temperature considerations.
• Calculation methods for estimating undrained shear strength from penetration values and for deriving sensitivity (remoulded/undisturbed ratio).
• Reporting requirements, limitations, and notes on correlation with other shear-strength tests and representativity of small specimens.

Typical use and users

Used by geotechnical laboratories, engineering consultancies, research institutions and regulatory bodies for routine index-strength assessment of fine-grained soils: preliminary site characterization, sensitivity estimation, quality control of samples, and research where a rapid undrained strength estimate is required.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 17892 series (laboratory testing of soil). Closely related documents include ISO 17892-1 (Determination of water content), ISO 17892-2 (Determination of bulk density) and other parts covering particle density, triaxial tests, unconfined compression and permeability; users should apply this part together with relevant ISO 17892 series parts and ISO 14688 (soil identification/classification) as referenced in normative clauses.

Keywords

Fall cone; fall-cone; undrained shear strength; strength index; fine-grained soil; remoulded specimen; undisturbed specimen; geotechnical laboratory test; ISO 17892; soil testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17892-6:2017 prescribes the fall cone laboratory test procedure to estimate undrained shear strength (strength index) of fine-grained soils using a cone penetration method on small laboratory specimens.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus, specimen preparation, test execution, measurement and calculation procedures, reporting requirements and notes on limitations and correlation with other strength tests for both undisturbed and remoulded fine-grained soil specimens.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical testing laboratories, engineering consultants, researchers and standards/advisory bodies involved in site investigation, soil characterization, and quality control.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17892-6:2017 is the current published edition; ISO records show the 2017 edition was reviewed and confirmed (systematic review) and remains the active international standard.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the ISO 17892 series (Laboratory testing of soil). Other parts cover water content, density, particle density, triaxial and other standard laboratory tests; the parts are intended to be used together where applicable.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Fall cone, undrained shear strength, strength index, fine-grained soil, remoulded, undisturbed, geotechnical laboratory testing, ISO 17892.