Photo Credit: Nathan Shoemaker
Pictured above is a Cone-Penetration-Test(CPT) Rig. CPTs are used for geotechnical site-investigations and can help determine the soil type, soil layer thickness, relative strength of the soil, and pore water pressure among other things. This information is then used to determine how structures must be built on the site. The CPT test is done using a small diameter cone that is hydraulically pushed at a constant displacement; the cone is configured with multiple transducers to measure tip resistance, sleeve (friction) resistance, and pore-water pressure.