Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2026.3.13
FALL CONE TEST CALIBRATION FOR SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS
Chalabi Youssouf
orcid.org/0000-0003-2244-0245
; Smart Structures Laboratory, University of Ain Temouchent, Ain Temouchent 46000, Algeria
*
Aissaoui Soufyane
; Department of Civil Engineering and Publics Works, University of Ain Temouchent, Ain Temouchent 46000, Algeria.
Zadjaoui Abdeldjalil
; EOLE Laboratory, University of Abou-bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
Aissa Mamoune Sidi Mohammed
; Smart Structures Laboratory, University of Ain Temouchent, Ain Temouchent 46000, Algeria
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Undrained shear strength is considered as an essential factor to assess the stability of natural slopes and embankments. Traditionally, this parameter is determined through laboratory tests, which are often costly and time-consuming. Recently, geotechnical research has shifted toward using the Fall Cone Test (FCT) for short-term strength estimation. However, prior studies focusing on pure clay soils have often overlooked the combined impact of soil texture and stress conditions on the reliability of FCT-derived values. To address this gap, undrained shear tests were conducted using both the FCT and pocket vane shear devices on samples exhibiting various degrees of consolidation and different textures. The findings demonstrate that applying a constant cone factor of 0.8 in the FCT yields inconsistent results compared to vane shear tests, as this factor fails to reflect the soil’s consolidation state and the texture effect. To overcome this limitation, a new empirical expression for the cone factor, based on the overconsolidation ratio and fines content, is suggested. The results indicate that this approach significantly improves the accuracy of undrained resistance calculations by the FCT, thus providing a refined methodology for better risk management related to slope and embankments instability.
Keywords
fall cone test; pocket shear vane test; overconsolidation ratio; fines content; undrained shear strength
Hrčak ID:
347427
URI
Publication date:
26.5.2026.
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