The HPT system is designed to evaluate the hydraulic behavior of unconsolidated materials. As the probe is pushed or hammered at 2 cm/s, clean water is pumped through a screen on the side of the HPT probe at a low flow rate, approximately 300 mL/min. Injection pressure, which is monitored and plotted with depth, is an indication of the hydraulic properties of the soil. That is, a relatively low pressure response would indicate a relatively large grain size, and the ability to easily transmit water. A relatively high pressure response, however, would indicate a relatively small grain size and the lack of ability to transmit water.

 

A Wenner, conductivity, array is also integrated into the HPT probe. This allows the collection of soil electrical conductivity (EC) data for lithologic interpretation. In general, the higher the electrical conductivity value, the smaller the grain size, and vice versa. However, other factors can affect EC, such as mineralogy and pore water chemistry (brines, extreme pH, contaminants). Conversely, the HPT pressure response is independent of these chemical and mineralogical factors.

 

In addition to the above real-time information collected with the HPT, post-processing of the log data with Geoprobe®’s DI Viewer software allows for estimates of hydraulic conductivity (K) and water table elevation.