Analysis of spatial variability of SPT penetration resistance in collapsible soils considering water table depth

Geostatistical kriging approach was used for mapping of water table depth and for checking its influence on penetration resistance observed in standard penetration test (SPT). Geostatistical mapping was based on a compartmentalisation of 204 SPT records in two main groups using monthly and yearly rainfall marks as a segregation criterion. Six maps produced at 1:10,000 scale were achieved as follows: water table depth variation and penetration resistance variation at the depths of 1.5, 6.0, 8.5, 11.0, 13.5 m. Greater variations of the penetration resistance, in terms of increase and reduction of resistance, were observed at the depths of 6.0 and 8.5 m.