The invention relates to a tool for verifying the saturation degree of the sensor group in a piezocone tip, and a method for carrying out the saturation test.
| Patent title | Penetrometer |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Industry, Digital and Security |
| Ownership | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA |
| Inventors | Laura Tonni, Irene Rocchi, Guido Gottardi |
| Protection | Italy, USA, UK, Sweden, Netherlands |
| Licensing status | Available for development agreements, option, license and other exploitation agreements |
| Keywords | Piezocone, Penetrometer, CPTU, Saturation, Pressure sensor |
| Filed on | 08 June 2016 |
The invention includes the method and apparatus necessary to establish a quantitative criterion defining the saturation degree of the sensor group in a piezocone tip. The invention consists of a pocket-sized equipment that can check instantaneously the saturation of the sensor group, through a proven technique, ensuring the reliability in the measurements obtained during a piezocone penetrometric test (CPTU).
The procedure can be effectively carried out both before the test, to verify a correct assembly of the tip, and at the end of the test itself, to verify eventual loss in saturation during the test, due to unsaturated strata encountered, for example, or due to gas in the soil layer.
Applications:
- in the research field to compare different fluids and saturation methods
- systematic use by those who carry out piezocone tests to guarantee data quality
- additional on-site tests, following further technological development
Advantages:
- increased reliability in the CPT measurements
- verification of the saturation degree prior and subsequent to the test
- establish quantitative criteria for quality standards
- reduction in testing costs and time
The group of researchers Rocchi-Tonni-Gottardi has been selected to participate in the 2nd edition of the Start Up Ecosystem Day 2017 held on October 20, 2017 at the Bologna Business School. The group presented the invention patented by our University to BBS students, companies and potential investors.