Multi-friction Sleeve Penetrometer Apparatus And Method

Abstract

Disclosed are apparatus and method for determining interface strength in situ. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of load cells, wherein each load cell obtains an in situ measurement of interface strength at each measurement depth that corresponds to location of each load cell on the attachment module. Each load cell obtains the in situ measurement of interface strength without using the measurement data of a penetrating tip member. In another embodiment, an apparatus for determining interface strength in situ comprises an attachment module coupled to a penetrating tip, wherein the attachment module includes a plurality of load cells. Each load cell includes a friction sleeve, which the friction sleeve of at least one load cell is configured with a different surface texture than another load cell.