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Truck-Based CPT Penetrometer Rig – Max. 120 kN

The CPT truck is a CPT penetrometer rig based on a truck-chassis. The CPT truck has been designed to execute soil mechanical research based on static Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) techniques in an efficient manner. By means of the penetrometer pusher, installed in the centre of gravity of the CPT truck, either an electrical or mechanical probe (called a cone) is pushed into the ground and the mechanical resistance and friction of the soil is recorded. The CPT truck itself has a relatively high own weight and serves as counterweight to provide the required penetrative force.

The CPT truck is normally used on badly accessible job-sites and will therefore be constructed on top of a 4×4 all-wheel drive truck chassis. Before the CPT truck can do a CPT test, it is to be levelled horizontally. This is done by means of the levelling jacks; 3 hydraulic cylinders with large footplates that actuate the up and down movement of the truck. With these jacks the CPT truck can be levelled exactly horizontally and and the large footplates assure its stability during testing.

All functionalities of the CPT truck are driven hydraulically. The diesel engine of the truck drives the hydraulic pump that generates the required working pressure and volume for all hydraulic functions.

The CPT penetrometer pusher is located inside the working cabin of the CPT truck. Next to it the operating lever for the up-and-down movement of the penetrometer pusher is located and the electrical cabinet housing all electronics, the engine control panel and control elements.

Truck with 4×4 Drive Train

The client is completely free to select the base truck to be converted into a CPT truck. This can either be a new or a secondhand truck. Taking in mind, that the truck has to operate in the field, we strongly recommend to opt for an all-wheel drive truck. The engineering team of Gouda-Geo will help the client to select the right base truck.

The CPT truck comes standard with the following equipment:

  • Robust 200 kN penetrometer pusher (pulling force 260 kN, stroke 1350 mm). Max. pushing force depends on the weight of the CPT truck
  • “Load Sensing” hydraulic pump (silent version)
  • Electronically controlled proportional hydraulic valves
  • Touch-screen panel PC for the operation of all functionalities
  • CAN-bus based electronic controls
  • Second engine control unit which will be installed in the working cabin
  • Joystick to control the up and down movement of the CPT penetrometer pusher on height adjustable console
  • Stainless steel storage rack for CPT sounding tubes and casing tubes
  • Bellows construction provides the required space allowing for the up and down movement of the CPT penetrometer pusher
  • Robust plywood floor covered with an extremely durable anti-skid coating inside the working cabin
  • Aluminium steps for safe accessing the working cabin
  • Road legal lighting and retroflection contour lines as required by law

The CPT truck can be supplied with the following optional extras:

  • Automatically functioning hydraulic clamp, type Spinae, integrated in the push-and-pull yoke of the CPT penetrometer pusher. Suitable for the automatic pushing and pulling of standard CPT sounding tubes (36 mm), heavy CPT sounding tubes (44 mm) and CPT casing tubes (55 mm)
  • Revolving rack for the storage of CPT tubes for mechanical CPT testing
  • Passage in the roof for piezometer tubes
  • Sky light window in the roof
  • Industrial flat panel PC computer with 15″ TFT colour display and touch-screen
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Smoke alarm
  • Gas detector
  • First aid kit – type A
  • First aid kit – type B
  • Burglar bars
  • Alarm system
  • Chair
  • 2-doors locker cabinet
  • Storage rack for piezometer tubes
  • Independent diesel heater with thermostat
  • Bott work-bench with drawer cabinets and stainless steel or trespa top
  • Heuer vice (125 mm) with gripping jaws for tubes
  • Pivot joint for vice
  • Tool-set
  • Storage rack for tools, etc.
  • Storage facilities for spare tubes
  • Airgun with piping and safety valve
  • Hydraulic winch including mounting frame at the front of the truck
  • Data communication system (differs per country)
  • Hydraulically driven electric generator, capacity 5 kVA
  • Power inverter with pure sine wave output 24 Vdc ► 230 Vac, Capacity 800 W
  • Power inverter with pure sine wave output 24 Vdc ► 230 Vac, Capacity 2500 W
  • Extra set of batteries with isolator and mounting frame etc.
  • 24 Vdc power point
  • 230 Vac power point
  • System with 3 cameras and a monitor. Camera 1 is mounted just on top of the right door (blind spot), camera 2 at the rear of the CPT cabin and camera 3 underneath the passage in the CPT penetrometer support beam, facilitating to manoeuver the unit right on the testing spot
  • Set of 2 Power-LED warning lights (orange)
  • Floodlight / working light
  • Lamp under inspection hatch in front of the penetrometer pusher
  • Extra RAL colour (two-tone painting)
  • Lettering
  • Kitchen unit with stainless steel sink, “Grohe” water tap and stainless steel water tank
  • Radio and CD-player with antenna and speakers
  • Extra costs for tinted glass instead of transparent glass
  • Garbage can
  • Holder for cleaning paper including a roll of cleaning paper
  • Roller blinds
  • Air conditioning
  • Hydraulic catching clamp
  • Mudwiper with rubber rings

The CPT penetrometer rig is designed and built in accordance with national and international standards and regulations. It complies with the provisions of the EC Directive 2006/42/EG and is provided with CE marking certifying that it meets EU consumer safety, health and environmental requirements.

The rig is equipped with a 200 kN CPT penetrometer pusher suitable to accommodate the measuring equipment for all kinds of Cone Penetration Tests with a maximum pushing force of 200 kN, such as:

  • Piezocone CPTU testing
  • Electrical CPT testing with standard electric CPT cone
  • Dissipation testing (when using a piezocone)
  • Seismic SCPT(U) testing with a triaxial seismic adapter
  • Magnetometer soil investigation
  • Continuous and discontinuous mechanical CPT

The Cone Penetration Tests can be performed according to international standards like ISO 22476-1, ISO 22476-12, NF P94-113, Eurocode 7, ISSMGE standard, ASTM D3441-05, ASTM D5778-12, ASTM D6067-96, ASTM D7400-08, and alike. This includes of course Class 1 piezocone CPTU tests and dissipation tests.

The operating procedures of the machine are described in detailed, easy-to-read and well-illustrated user manuals.

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