Beyond the Static Limit: Rate Effects on Apparent Mohr-Coulomb Parameters in Penetration Tests Using a Bearing-Capacity Framework

Beyond the Static Limit: Rate Effects on Apparent Mohr-Coulomb Parameters in Penetration Tests Using a Bearing-Capacity Framework | 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 Beyond the Static Limit: Rate Effects on Apparent Mohr-Coulomb Parameters in Penetration Tests Using a Bearing-Capacity Framework Christian Maximilian Hechtl, Tamara Gandl, Thomas Kränkel, Christoph Gehlen This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal.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-8677317/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 Penetration testing provides a simple, depth-resolved measure of the strength of soft cohesive–frictional materials, but interpretation at finite penetration velocity is not established for rate-sensitive systems. This study extends a previously introduced depth-resolved bearing-capacity inversion to controlled penetration velocities and quantifies how rate effects enter the identified Mohr–Coulomb parameters. Penetration tests were performed on a mechani- cally inert montmorillonite–glycerin mixture at constant velocities from 1 to 600 mm min−1 using a circular punch (D = 30 mm). For each velocity, the internal friction angle φ(v) was obtained from the steady-state slope and the cohesion-like parameter cpen(v) from the intercept of the surcharge-corrected stress. Independent vane-in-cup measurements with matched surface velocities provided a geometry-distinct reference trend. Across the investigated range, φ remained approximately invariant (φ ≈ 7.8°), whereas cpen(v) increased mono- tonically with velocity (from 0.49 to 0.76 kPa), mirroring the trend in vane shear strength. The results indicate that finite-velocity effects are partitioned primarily into the cohesion-like intercept, while the slope-based friction angle remains a stable descriptor of granular resistance. This supports penetration testing at practical velocities when representative static parameters are required, and motivates application to time-dependent materials where short test durations are necessary. Materials Engineering Penetration testing Bearing capacity Rate effects Viscoplasticity Mohr–Coulomb parameters Digital construction 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. 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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-8677317","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":579237914,"identity":"8f4b1b3f-68b5-4f0f-805d-f706d0859388","order_by":0,"name":"Christian Maximilian 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This study extends a previously introduced depth-resolved bearing-capacity inversion to controlled penetration velocities and quantifies how rate effects enter the identified Mohr–Coulomb parameters. Penetration tests were performed on a mechani- cally inert montmorillonite–glycerin mixture at constant velocities from 1 to 600 mm min−1 using a circular punch (D = 30 mm). For each velocity, the internal friction angle φ(v) was obtained from the steady-state slope and the cohesion-like parameter cpen(v) from the intercept of the surcharge-corrected stress. Independent vane-in-cup measurements with matched surface velocities provided a geometry-distinct reference trend. Across the investigated range, φ remained approximately invariant (φ ≈ 7.8°), whereas cpen(v) increased mono- tonically with velocity (from 0.49 to 0.76 kPa), mirroring the trend in vane shear strength. 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