Many people were involved to perform this test. Three contractors operated the machine and collected the data, two engineers made sure that the information required for design was collected, and one archeologist checked any overturned soil to ensure the proper procedures would take place in the event something historic was uncovered.
Below are some images that describe the process.
![Unloading the truck that will be performing the cone penetration tests (CPTs) Unloading the truck that will be performing the cone penetration tests (CPTs)](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbiasprings.org/wp-content/uploads/P1050768-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C810&ssl=1)
![The CPT machine is set up for use The CPT machine is set up for use](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbiasprings.org/wp-content/uploads/P1050779-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C810&ssl=1)
![The front end of the CPT machine. The front end of the CPT machine.](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbiasprings.org/wp-content/uploads/P1050770-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C810&ssl=1)
![The test is finished when rock bed is reached. The test is finished when rock bed is reached.](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbiasprings.org/wp-content/uploads/P1050829-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C810&ssl=1)
![A plastic Shelby tube is inserted into a hollow metal rod](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbiasprings.org/wp-content/uploads/P1050785-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C810&ssl=1)
![bottom tube contains soil from the top of the earth (right side) to 5 feet below the surface (left side). The top tube contains soil from 5 feet to 9 feet below the surface.](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbiasprings.org/wp-content/uploads/P1050822-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C810&ssl=1)
![example of a soil sample starting at the surface going down 5 fee example of a soil sample starting at the surface going down 5 fee](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbiasprings.org/wp-content/uploads/P1050810-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C810&ssl=1)
Although we can make some observations about the soil and its properties with the naked eye, more information can be learned by sending the soil to a lab. After the collection of the soil, it was bagged and delivered to a lab to perform a variety of tests allowing us to further understand the properties and behaviors of the soils.