Abstract
Characterization of the deformation behavior of sands around a cone penetrometer was conducted using an X-ray fluoroscope technique in order to establish a clear understanding of the experimental penetration process. Further experiments to evaluate, quantitatively, the situation of particle breakage during the penetration process were also conducted. Model penetration tests were performed with the following parameters as the variables: the tip form, overburden pressure and relative density. From the results, it became clear that the deformation characteristics of the penetrometer in sand significantly depend upon the sand state (packing of the grains), while it is hardly affected by the tip form of the penetrometer when the tip angle is comparatively blunt.
