A Century Later: A Bearing-Capacity Framework to Extract Mohr-Coulomb Parameters from Penetration Tests

A Century Later: A Bearing-Capacity Framework to Extract Mohr-Coulomb Parameters from Penetration Tests | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article A Century Later: A Bearing-Capacity Framework to Extract Mohr-Coulomb Parameters from Penetration Tests Christian Maximilian Hechtl, Stefan Segl, Thomas Kränkel, Christoph Gehlen This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8676639/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study reformulates classical bearing-capacity theory into a depth-resolved framework for extracting apparent Mohr–Coulomb parameters from quasi-static flat-punch penetration tests. The measured force–depth response is converted to the mean contact stress q(z) and analysed as a function of depth, with cohesive, surcharge, and unit-weight contributions. Under homogeneous, axisym- metric conditions, the internal friction angle φ and cohesion c are obtained from the slope and intercept of the quasi-steady q(z) relation. Applied to an inert montmorillonite–glycerin reference material, the method yielded reproducible results across punch diameters D = 20–40 mm, giving φpen ≈ 4.8° and cpen ≈ 0.85 kPa. Independent vane tests gave cvane ≈ 0.70 kPa, and direct shear box tests yielded φdsb ≈ 4.45° and cdsb ≈ 1.16 kPa. The friction angles from penetration and DSB testing were consistent, while the cohesion values differed in the ordering expected from their respective interface and defor- mation conditions. Within the quasi-static, low-stress regime examined here, the penetration-based approach provides an efficient method for quantifying apparent Mohr–Coulomb parameters of soft cohesive–frictional materials. Materials Engineering Penetration testing Bearing capacity Mohr–Coulomb Vane test Direct shear box Shear-strength measurement methods Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8676639","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":579219148,"identity":"36c6779f-00d0-444b-ab69-b797f8a8ef86","order_by":0,"name":"Christian Maximilian 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