AUTOMATIC PENETRATION TESTING MACHINE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To penetrate a rod in a state close to a manual penetration test so as to obtain correct data. SOLUTION: This automatic penetration testing machine comprises an elevation base 7 of a prescribed weight composed to be movable up and down, and a rod 27 to which torque and weight are added to penetrate the ground. A power connecting/disconnecting means is provided in a rotation transmitting system 21 between the rod 27 and a chuck rotation driving source, and a speed detecting sensor 15 is disposed on the elevation base 7 to detect its lowering speed. A control part 9 to give a signal to the power connecting/disconnecting means is connected to the speed detecting sensor 15. As a signal of a set lowering speed or more is inputted from the speed detecting sensor 15, it is released to idly rotate the rod 27. The rod 27 is thus set in a connected state only when necessary. A chuck part and the chuck rotation drive source are completely disconnected from each other when sinking, since the power connecting/disconnecting means operates. The rod is rotated by itself to penetrate by resistance of earth. The ground where sinking occurs is thus correctly determined as soft ground. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO