Numerical simulation of in-situ free fall cone penetrometer tests using the material point method

Abstract

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.