Geotechnical Glossary

AASHTO – American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

AGS – Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists

ASTM International – International organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus for technical standards. Formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials.

CPT – The Cone Penetration Test or Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT) is a method for collecting data on the geotechnical engineering properties of soil. CPT provides a near continuous profile of parameters, such as tip resistance, sleeve friction, friction ratio, and pore pressure, with data recorded at small intervals while advancing the boring. The data from the CPT parameters helps geotechnical engineers delineate subsurface conditions for project design considerations.

DIGGS – Data Interchange for Geotechnical and GeoEnvironmental Specialists

DMT – The Dilatometer Test (DMT) is an in-situ testing method used to determine the strength and deformation characteristics of fine-grained soils. DMT provides a near continuous profile of parameters, such as contact stress, expansion stress, dilatometer horizontal stress, and dilatometer modulus, with data recorded at small intervals while advancing the boring. DMT results are used to obtain information on soil stratigraphy, in situ state of stress, shear strength, and deformation properties.

RMR – Rock Mass Rating system

UC – Unconfined Compression

USCS – Unified Soil Classification System

USDA – United States Department of Agriculture

UU – Unconsolidated Undrained

ZAV – Zero Air Void