CPT (Cone Penetration Test) in Burnaby

Working in Burnaby, we often see glacial till mixed with marine clays. This makes soil behavior hard to predict without continuous data. A CPT rig gives us that profile in real time. We push a cone at 20 mm/s per ASTM D5778. The sensors record tip resistance, sleeve friction, and pore pressure. This data is far more detailed than a standard SPT log. For deep fills or soft clays near the Fraser River, we pair CPT results with instrumentation geotechnics to monitor pore pressure dissipation. The cone also helps us locate the water table precisely, which is critical around Burnaby's steep slopes.

Illustrative image of Ensayo cpt in Burnaby

Continuous CPT profiling in Burnaby reveals the thin clay lenses that SPT logs often miss entirely.

Service characteristics in Burnaby

Burnaby's geology shifts from glacial deposits in the north to alluvial silts near Deer Lake. CPT works well in both because it does not rely on a hammer. The cone penetrates soft and medium soils continuously. We measure tip resistance (qc), sleeve friction (fs), and pore pressure (u2). From these we derive soil type charts, friction ratio, and undrained shear strength. When we hit dense till, we stop and use a MASW Vs30 survey to profile the stiffer layers. Data comes in every 1 cm. This gives us confidence in bearing capacity and settlement estimates for buildings on Burnaby's variable ground.

CPT (Cone Penetration Test) in Burnaby

Parameter	Typical value
Tip Resistance (qc)	0 - 100 MPa
Sleeve Friction (fs)	0 - 1 MPa
Pore Pressure (u2)	-100 kPa to +2000 kPa
Penetration Rate	20 mm/s ± 5%
Depth Accuracy	± 0.01 m per stroke
Max Depth in Burnaby soils	Typically 30-40 m

Typical technical challenges in Burnaby

A 10-story residential tower on Burnaby's Kingsway corridor had settlement issues during construction. The original report used only SPT. It missed a 2 m soft clay lens at 6 m depth. We performed a CPT to full depth. The cone showed the clay and a high water table. We recommended deep soil mixing to stiffen the lens before foundation work. Without the CPT, differential settlement could have exceeded 50 mm. That risk is real when you build on Burnaby's buried channels. Continuous profiling is the only way to catch these layers.

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Applicable standards: ASTM D5778-20 — Standard Test Method for Electronic Friction Cone and Piezocone Penetration Testing of Soils, NBCC 2020 — Site classification for seismic design using shear wave velocity correlations, CSA A23.3-19 — Design of concrete structures, references soil stiffness from CPT data

Our services

We offer two main CPT-based services in Burnaby, tailored to project needs.

Piezocone (CPTu) with Dissipation Tests

Full u2 pore pressure sensor with dissipation tests at key depths. Measures in-situ permeability and consolidation parameters. Ideal for soft clays along Burnaby's lake areas.

Seismic CPT (SCPTu)

Adds a seismic source to measure vs30/" data-interlink="1">shear wave velocity (Vs) every 1 m. Used for NBCC site class determination and liquefaction assessment in Burnaby's fill zones.

Frequently asked questions

How deep can a CPT cone penetrate in Burnaby soils?

In Burnaby's glacial till and marine clay, we typically reach 30-40 m with a 20-tonne truck-mounted rig. Dense till or gravel layers may stop the cone earlier, but CPT can still profile the overlying softer soils in full detail.

What is the cost range for a CPT in Burnaby?

For a standard piezocone test to 25 m depth, budget between CA$210 and CA$320 per test point. This includes mobilization within Burnaby, real-time data logging, and a report with soil classification charts. Volume discounts apply for multiple test locations.

Can CPT replace SPT for foundation design in Burnaby?

CPT provides continuous data and is excellent for soft to medium soils, but it does not recover a soil sample. For granular soils or when you need visual classification, we combine CPT with a few SPT borings. The CPT guides us to the exact depths for sampling.