Deformability of Rock-Like Materials Using a Sharp Cone Test

This paper presents a new idea for a field testing technique, the sharp cone test (SCT), for the determination of certain deformability parameters of rock-like materials. The test is described, and the theoretical background required for its interpretation is given. The influence of the interpretation model hypotheses is assessed by a finite element analysis. The results of sharp cone tests in materials of known linear elastic and viscoelastic behaviors are presented to validate the interpretation model.