Design and implementation of pore pressure static cone penetration data interpretation software

To fully leverage the value of cone penetration test (CPT) data, Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd developed a comprehensive CPT interpretation methodology and created specialized software for interpreting piezocone penetration test data. Developed using C++, the software features a user-friendly interface aligned with geotechnical site investigation workflows and user practices. It calculates over 24 geotechnical parameters—including unit weight, water content, undrained shear strength, and shear wave velocity—and performs four types of geotechnical analyses, such as site classification and liquefaction assessment. Additionally, the software provides diverse statistical functions, data validation checks, and automated plotting/reporting capabilities. Applied to real-world offshore wind farm site investigations, user feedback highlights two key benefits: (1) a drastic efficiency gain, reducing interpretation time from 2–5 hours using traditional methods to just 2 minutes for complete interpretation, statistics, and plotting; and (2) high accuracy, demonstrated by strong consistency between the software’s results and those from laboratory tests and other in-situ tests (e.g., shear wave velocity measurements). This consistency validates the software’s interpretation accuracy and confirms its suitability for engineering design and construction requirements, establishing it as a pioneering solution within China’s geotechnical site investigation industry.