MINI CPT

Gregg’s specially designed miniature cone penetrometer system provides the same valuable stratigraphic detail and soil strength information as our large diameter cone penetrometers. It can be deployed from a variety of barges and work boats and is a cost effective tool for determining near surface soil strength information.

Penetration reaction is provided by the weight of the self righting seabed deployment frame. The minicone is attached to a coiled rod which is straightened and pushed into the sea floor by a thruster unit attached to the seabed frame. This same unit coils the rod while it retracts the cone after a sounding. The coiled rod and thruster unit allow for a rapid and continuous deployment of the system while keeping the overall size of the unit to a minimum.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Cone Diameter: 2 cm²
Water Depth: Maximum of 10,000 feet
Penetration Depth: Maximum of 35 feet below mud line
Maximum tip resistance of approximately 350 tsf
Can be coupled with piston sampling and gravity coring methods

OPERATION:

Mini CPT is contained in a self-righting seabed deployment frame and
lowered to sea floor with a winch line.
Minicone is attached to coiled rod which is straightened and pushed into
the sea floor by a thruster attached to the frame.
Thruster recoils the rod and retracts the cone after each sounding.
All functions of the MCPT are controlled by means of an electromechanical
umbilical cord attached to a computer located on board the vessel or
operated from the seabed using an ROV.
Umbilical cord or ROV provide the power and digital control and also
transmit soil data to the acquisition system on the host vessel.

ADVANTAGES:

2 cm² cone provides the same valuable stratigraphic detail and soil
strength information as the large diameter cone
Smaller cone relates to a smaller zone of influence in the soil and
therefore, more detailed stratigraphic logging.
Mini CPT detects small, thin layers better than larger cones. Pushing
system completely operator independent.
Cost effective solution for overwater applications.

The Mini CPT is ideally suited for seabed pipeline
and cable route surveys.

The Mini CPT can be deployed off the back of a ship
using a simple A-frame and winch.

The Mini CPT ready for deployment in self-righting seabed deployment frame which is lowered to the sea floor with a winch line.