Development of the Free-Fall Penetrometer

The concept of a free-fall penetrometer was initially tested in the laboratory using a standard 10 cm² penetrometer on different soil targets. However, the penetrometer was structurally inadequate for use at sea. A new version with a 45 cm² (nominal) cross section was redesigned and successfully tested during sea trials. Subsequent laboratory tests were conducted in the static and free-fall modes using the standard 10 cm² and the 45 cm² penetrometers. The development of the penetrometer and analysis of some of the results are presented in this paper. Further sea trials are scheduled for May 1981.