What is the essential purpose of using a penetrometer in construction?

Using a penetrometer in construction primarily serves the purpose of determining the bearing capacity of soil. This is crucial for engineers and builders as the bearing capacity indicates how much load the soil can support without experiencing failure or excessive settlement. By driving a penetrometer into the ground and measuring how much resistance the soil provides, professionals can evaluate whether the soil is suitable for supporting structures such as buildings, bridges, or other heavy loads.

Understanding the soil's bearing capacity helps in making informed decisions during the design and planning stages of construction. This assessment ensures that the foundation can be properly designed to withstand the expected loads and that the safety and stability of the structure will be upheld over time.