JKR or Mackintosh Probe

Mackintosh Probe equipment consists of a series of 15 mm diameter steel rods. The length of each
rod is 1.20 meter. A diameter of 25 mm hardened steel 60 degree cone screwed onto the lower rod
driven into ground by a 4.5 kilogram hammer falling freely through a height of 300 mm onto an
anvil. The numbers of blow required for every 300 mm penetration was recorded. The probing
would be terminated when the blows counts of 400 (refusal) was recorded over a penetration of 300
mm or less

Table 1.1 Differentiate between JKR and Mackintosh Probe

Four (4) advantages in conducting the Probe Mackintosh Test.

 Cheap & quick way of obtaining preliminary information

 To determine slip circle of redesigning failed slope or embankment
 Preliminary tool to locate weak spot which causes damage to structure due to subsoil
condition
 Obtaining rough characteristics of subsurface condition in relation of geology surface.

Four (4) Common Errors in conducting the Probe Mackintosh Test.

 Drop height less than 280mm - higher blow counts

 Exerting force onto hammer - lower blow counts
 Penetration depth not marked correctly
 Wrong counts of blow
 Driving bend rod - higher blow count