Research Pays Off: Subsurface Site Investigations with Cone Penetration Testing: Louisiana Develops Cost-Efficient Procedures for Bridge Projects

Subsurface site investigations are necessary to identify the soil engineering properties that affect the design and construction of transportation infrastructure. Conventional site investigations with soil borings and laboratory testing are expensive and time consuming. In situ tests such as the cone penetration test (CPT) or piezocone penetration test (PCPT) are an alternative to laboratory testing. This article discusses Louisiana's use of CPT technology on recent bridge projects, including its cost effectiveness. Planned future research using this technology is also discussed.