Dynamic Cone Penetrometer AZA 0872 - In-Situ Soil Strength Test
Click to enlarge
Untitled design – 2025-12-17T192222.252
WATER LEVEL INDICATOR AZA0871
Back to products
Untitled design – 2025-12-17T193345.667
SPEEDY MOISTURE ZI 3027 METER (D2 LARGE) AZA0873

DYNAMIC CONE PENETROMETER AZA0872

The AZA0872 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) from Azalab is a robust, field-proven instrument designed for rapid in-situ evaluation of soil strength, stiffness, and compaction. It is extensively used by civil engineers, geotechnical consultants, and construction teams for pavement design, quality control, and site investigation works.

The DCP test provides a fast and economical method to assess the strength of subgrades, sub-bases, and granular base course layers, with results that can be directly correlated to California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values. This eliminates the need for time-consuming laboratory testing or undisturbed soil sampling, enabling immediate decision-making at site.

View Specification PDF
Enquiry on WhatsApp
Category:
Description

Description

Principle of Operation

The AZA0872 operates on a simple and well-established impact penetration principle. A hardened steel cone attached to a drive rod is driven into the ground by repeatedly dropping a standard weight hammer from a fixed height. The penetration per blow is measured and recorded, providing a direct indication of soil resistance.

By plotting penetration versus depth, a continuous strength profile of the pavement or soil layer is obtained, clearly identifying weak zones, variability, or insufficient compaction.

Key Features

  • Rapid in-situ evaluation of soil and pavement layers

  • Direct correlation of penetration data to CBR values

  • No power supply or boreholes required

  • Portable and suitable for single-operator field use

  • Immediate results for on-site quality control

  • Heavy-duty steel construction for long service life

Applications

  • Pavement evaluation (subgrade, sub-base, base course)

  • Compaction quality control during road construction

  • Shallow foundation investigations

  • Identification of weak or soft soil zones

  • General geotechnical site reconnaissance

Technical Specifications

Model Number: AZA0872
Apparatus Type: Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP)
Purpose: In-situ soil strength, stiffness, and compaction evaluation

Hammer

  • Weight: Typically 8 kg (17.6 lbs)

  • Drop Height: 575 mm (22.6 in), standardized free fall

Cone Tip

  • Material: Hardened steel

  • Cone Angle: 60° (standard)

  • Base Diameter: 20 mm (standard)

Drive Rod

  • Material: High-strength steel

  • Design: Sectional / quick-connect rods

Measuring Scale

  • Graduated rod, 1000 mm or 1500 mm length

  • Clear millimeter divisions

Anvil

  • Hardened steel impact anvil

Maximum Penetration Depth

  • Typically up to 2–3 meters (depending on soil conditions and rod length)

Components Supplied

  • Hammer

  • Anvil

  • Guide rod assembly

  • Drive rods

  • Hardened cone tip

  • Measuring scale

  • Rod puller (optional, recommended)

  • Carrying case

Compliance

  • Designed in accordance with ASTM D6951

  • AASHTO T 252 (principles)

Construction

  • Heavy-duty steel components

  • Designed for repetitive impact and harsh field use

Advantages

  • Fast, economical alternative to laboratory CBR testing

  • Continuous strength profiling with depth

  • Ideal for construction quality assurance

  • Minimal training required

  • Highly portable and field-ready

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the AZA0872 used for?
It is used for rapid in-situ testing of soil strength and compaction, especially in pavement layers such as subgrade, sub-base, and base course.

Q2: How does the DCP test indicate soil strength?
By measuring the penetration depth of a cone per hammer blow, which reflects soil resistance and density.

Q3: Can AZA0872 results be correlated to CBR values?
Yes. One of the main benefits of the DCP test is its established correlation with CBR values used in pavement design.

Q4: What soil types can be tested?
The AZA0872 is suitable for most granular and cohesive soils commonly encountered in road and pavement construction.

Q5: Is external power required?
No. The instrument is fully mechanical and ideal for remote field locations.

Q6: What standards does AZA0872 follow?
It is designed to meet the principles of ASTM D6951 and AASHTO T 252.

Q7: What is the typical depth of testing?
Depending on soil conditions and rod configuration, effective penetration is usually up to 2–3 meters.

Additional information

Additional information

Model Number

AZA 0872
Apparatus Type

Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP)
Anvil

Hardened steel.
Portability

Designed for high portability and ease of field use.
Construction

Robust, heavy-duty steel components for durability.

Related products

Untitled design – 2025-12-17T165748.200

GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS (PIPETTE METHOD) AZA0856

The AZA0856 Grain Size Analysis (Pipette Method) Apparatus from AZA Lab is a precision testing setup used for determining the distribution of fine soil particles such as silt and clay. It is widely used in geotechnical engineering, civil construction quality control, soil mechanics research, and academic laboratories, particularly where conventional sieve analysis is ineffective for particles finer than 75 microns. This apparatus is designed for the mechanical analysis of sub-sieve soil particles, expressing quantitatively the proportion by weight of various particle sizes present in a soil sample. The pipette method, based on sedimentation principles and Stokes’ Law, provides accurate and repeatable results for fine-grained soils. The system consists of a sliding vertical panel operated by a precision screw mechanism, allowing an Anderson pipette to be raised or lowered accurately. A sedimentation tube is held securely below the pipette using a laboratory clamp. The depth of immersion is measured using a millimeter-graduated scale mounted alongside the sliding panel. The apparatus is supplied complete with a 10 ml Anderson pipette, a 500 ml glass sedimentation tube, and test form pads, conforming to standard laboratory practices.
Read more
Quick view
Untitled design – 2025-12-15T163042.672

LINEAR SHRINKAGE MOULD AZA0850

The AZA0850 Precision Linear Shrinkage Mould from AZALAB is a compact and highly accurate laboratory instrument designed for determining the linear shrinkage of fine-grained cohesive soils in accordance with BS 1377-2. This test is a key component of soil classification and is especially important in identifying shrink–swell behavior of clays and expansive soils.

Linear shrinkage testing measures the reduction in length of a soil specimen upon drying, expressed as a percentage of its original length. The results provide valuable insight into soil expansiveness, volume stability, and suitability for foundations, pavements, and earthworks.

Manufactured from high-quality brass or stainless steel, the AZA0850 mould offers precise internal dimensions, excellent corrosion resistance, and a smooth polished finish for easy sample preparation and removal. Its robust construction ensures repeatable, reliable results even under high-frequency laboratory use.

Read more
Quick view
Untitled design – 2025-12-17T171015.120

METHYLENE BLUE TEST SET AZA0860

The AZA0860 Methylene Blue Test Set from AZA Lab is a comprehensive laboratory system designed to determine the clay content and clay activity in fine aggregates and soils through measurement of the Methylene Blue Value (MBV). The test is highly sensitive to active clay minerals—particularly montmorillonite—that can adversely affect the performance of concrete, asphalt, and other construction materials. This method is widely adopted in aggregate quality control, concrete mix design, asphalt technology, and geotechnical investigations, providing a reliable indicator of fines reactivity and cation exchange capacity.
Standards Compliance
  • EN 933-9 – Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates (Methylene Blue Test)
  • NF P94-068
  • UNE 83 180
  • UNI 8520-15
  • ASTM C837 – Methylene Blue Index of Clay in Fine Aggregate
Read more
Quick view
Untitled design – 2025-12-17T165904.944

PARTICLE SIZE SEDIMENTATION (HYDROMETER METHOD) AZA0857

AZA0857 – Particle Size Sedimentation Apparatus (Hydrometer Method) The AZA0857 Particle Size Sedimentation Apparatus (Hydrometer Method) from AZA Lab is designed for determining the particle size distribution of fine-grained soils, particularly silts and clays smaller than 75 microns. This method is widely adopted in soil mechanics, geotechnical engineering, civil construction quality control, and academic laboratories where accurate characterization of cohesive soils is essential. The hydrometer method is based on the sedimentation principle governed by Stokes’ Law, measuring changes in the density of a soil–water suspension over time. By recording hydrometer readings at defined intervals, the percentage of soil particles remaining in suspension is calculated, enabling precise determination of grain size distribution for fine soils beyond the practical limits of sieve analysis.
Read more
Quick view
Untitled design – 2025-12-17T171743.708

PLUMMET BALANCE AZA0862

The AZA0862 Plummet Balance is a specialized laboratory apparatus designed for determining the specific gravity of fine-grained soils, particularly clays and silts that are difficult to test using conventional pycnometer methods. It is widely used in geotechnical engineering, soil mechanics laboratories, and construction quality control applications. Manufactured by Azalab, the instrument complies with ASTM D854 and IS 2720 (Part 3 / Sec 1) standards and provides rapid, repeatable, and reliable results for dispersed soil samples commonly used in sedimentation, pipette, and hydrometer analyses.
Working Principle The plummet balance method determines the specific gravity of soil solids by measuring the apparent weight of a suspended plummet immersed in a soil–water suspension. The balance pointer directly indicates the percentage of soil in suspension via a calibrated scale, eliminating lengthy calculations. A rack-and-pinion height adjustment allows the plummet to be positioned at the required depth. The percentage of soil in suspension is read directly from the graduated scale, making this method faster and more user-friendly than traditional sedimentation calculations. The set is supplied with a temperature correction chart relating the constant K to suspension temperature for soils with specific gravity ranging from 2.4 to 2.8, facilitating accurate application of Stokes’ law.
Read more
Quick view
Untitled design – 2025-12-17T191034.877

PROCTOR NEEDLES (SPRING TYPE) AZA0868

The AZA0868 Precision Proctor Needles (Spring Type) from Azalab are designed for rapid, on-site estimation of soil compaction and moisture condition. This portable instrument provides a practical alternative to full laboratory Proctor testing for preliminary assessment and quality control, particularly on cohesive and semi-cohesive soils encountered in embankments, subgrades, and trench backfills. The instrument employs a calibrated, spring-loaded plunger to measure penetration resistance directly (0–40 kg range). Two graduated stems allow accurate tracking of penetration depth, while a comprehensive set of interchangeable needle tips enables testing across a range of soil densities and particle characteristics.
Applications
  • Field assessment of soil compaction
  • Estimation of optimum moisture condition
  • Subgrade, fill, and trench inspection
  • Construction quality control checks
  • Geotechnical and educational field investigations
Read more
Quick view
Untitled design – 2025-12-15T163413.092

SEMI AUTOMATIC CONE PENETROMETER AZA0852

The AZA0852 Semi Automatic Cone Penetrometer from AZALAB is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument used for determining the liquid limit and consistency characteristics of fine-grained soils. Designed to eliminate operator-dependent errors, this semi-automatic model ensures uniform cone release and repeatable penetration results, making it an ideal choice for geotechnical, civil engineering, and construction material testing laboratories. The apparatus conforms to IS 2720 (Part 5) and BS 1377 standards and is widely used for soil classification, foundation assessment, and settlement analysis. Its semi-automatic clutch-based drop mechanism allows the cone to penetrate the soil sample under controlled conditions for a fixed duration of 5 seconds, ensuring consistent and reliable test outcomes.

Principle of Operation

A soil paste prepared at known moisture content is placed in the sample cup. The standardized cone, attached to a calibrated weight, is released using the semi-automatic clutch mechanism, allowing free fall penetration into the soil. After the specified time (typically 5 seconds), the penetration depth is measured using a high-precision dial gauge. The moisture content corresponding to a penetration of 20 mm is considered the liquid limit of the soil, as defined in IS and BS standards.
Read more
Quick view
Untitled design – 2025-12-15T163413.092

SOIL CONE PENETROMETER AZA0851

The AZA0851 Precision Cone Penetrometer from AZALAB is a high-accuracy laboratory instrument designed for determining the liquid limit of fine-grained soils using the cone penetration method. The apparatus fully complies with IS 2720 (Part 5) and ASTM D4318, making it suitable for standardized soil classification and geotechnical investigations. Unlike the Casagrande method, the cone penetrometer provides a more objective and repeatable measurement of liquid limit by correlating soil consistency to the depth of penetration of a standardized cone under its own weight. This method is widely preferred in modern soil mechanics laboratories due to reduced operator dependency and higher precision.

Principle of Operation

A soil paste prepared at a known moisture content is placed in the sample cup. The stainless steel cone, of specified mass and angle, is allowed to penetrate the soil freely for 5 seconds. The depth of penetration (up to 20 mm) is measured using a precision depth gauge. The moisture content corresponding to 20 mm penetration is defined as the liquid limit of the soil.

Standards Compliance

  • IS 2720 (Part 5) – Determination of liquid and plastic limits
  • ASTM D4318 – Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
Read more
Quick view