Pressuremeter Test

Content
Introduction
Equipments
Type of Pressuremeter
Type of Test
Calibration Tests
Important Notes
 Introduction
What is pressuremeter test?
Insitu test, a cylindrical device placed
in a borehole and radially expanded
Provides both strength and stiffness of
the soil/ rock
Apply pressure to a probe and measure
relative increase in volume within the
probe
 Equipments
Volume Control
Control Unit
Pressure Gauge

Compressed Air (Nitrogen)

Tubing

Probe
 Control Unit

Tubing

Probe Control Cable (Compressed Air)

 Equipments
Control unit
Volumeter (Maximum 800cm3)
Pressure regulator (regulate applied pressure and volume
change)
Differential pressure regulator (balance pressure applied to 3
cells)
Tubing
Coaxial tubing (Inner tube is prevented from expanding by a
gas pressure) or
twin tubing
Probe (Hydraulic or Electric Probe)
Single Cell
Triple Cells (Provide effective end restraint and ensure radial
expansion of central cell
 Readout for Guard Cell

Volumeter

Readout for Measuring Cell

Readout for Measuring Cell

Control differential pressure

Control gas pressure into

Guard Cell

Input Pressure (Nitrogen)

800cm3
Single Cell Pressuremeter Probe
Membrane

O-ring

Steel rings tights the membrane

against O-rings

End Effect reduce

accuracy of test result
 Triple Cells Pressuremeter Probe
Measuring Cell Measuring Cell

2 1 3 2 1 2

Guard Cells Guard Cells

E Probe G Probe
Require 4 tubes Require 2 tubes
Coaxial Tube Twin Tube

MENARD APAGEO
 Details of Triple Cells Probe
Coaxial Tubing Inner Tube Carries Water
Outer Tube Carries Gas

Measuring Cell:
Inflated by
Guard Cell: Water
Inflated Gas
 Types of Pressuremeter
Pre-bored Pressuremeter Pushed/Driven In Self-boring Pressuremeter
Pressuremeter
- Insert probe into pre- - Form own hole
drilled hole - Full Displacement
 Type of Tests
Stress Controlled Strain Controlled
Apply Equal Pressure Apply Equal Volume
Increments Increments
Measure volume Measure pressure
change change
Test Criteria Prebored Pressuremeter
BS 5930 Menard ASTM
Take Reading Hold 60s to 120s 15s, 30s, 60s 30s & 60s
Minimum Test 1m 1m 1.5 x inflatable probe
Spacing length
Number of Load Minimum 15 10 (5 to 14) About 7 to 10
Increment
Criteria to 400kPa 700cm3; PL<800kPa Volume during one
determine 600cm3; PL<1500kPa load increments
maximum pressure = ASTM or pressure exceeds of
pass 1.3 of uninflated uninflated probe
probe volume volume

Minimum load 2 Not Specified Encouraged but not

Cycle required
Test after hole As soon as possible Less than 24 hours Immediately after
preparation after drilling forming the hole
Probe Length 5D 6D (Typical 1m) Not Specified Minimum 6D
Probe Diameter, D 40 100mm 32 74mm 32 74mm
Hole Diameter, Dh Dh < 1.1D Varies 1.03D < Dh < 1.2D
 Menard Probe Size
Diameter Borehole Diameter
of the
probe Minimum Maximum
(mm)
EX 32 34 38

AX 44 46 52

BX 58 60 66

NX 74 76 80
 Calibrations (BS5930)
Transducer or Line Calibrations
Transducer Calibration for pressuremeter contains
displacement or pressure transducers within the probe
Line Calibration for pressuremeter with volume change
system

Membrane Stiffness Calibration

Also called Pressure Loss Calibration
Pressure required to inflate the membrane in air

Membrane Compression Calibration

Also called Volume Loss Calibration
Change in thickness of the membrane under pressure
high pressures in rocks using instruments containing
displacement transducers
 Calibration Tests Procudures
Pressure Loss Calibration Test
Pressurize the probe standing close to the
control box

Volume Loss Calibration Test

Pressurize the probe in heavy duty steel
casing or pipe

Record volume reading for both tests

and plot pressure-volume curves
 Interpretation Results
Pressuremeter Deformation Modulus, Em
Settlement, deformation
Soil elastic modules (, Menard factor)
Limit Pressure, PL
Bearing capacity of foundation
Coefficient of subgrade reaction
Preparation
Pressure Loss Calibration
Connection To Probe

Red Line Carries

Gas to Guard Cells

Black Line Carries

Water to
Measuring Cell
Prebored Casing and Probe
Probe Membrane

~ 270mm
~ 520mm
~210mm
 Important Notes
Prebored hole must be formed in single
push of the steel casing
Check steel casing length ~ 1m
Carry out Pressure Loss Calibration before
test
 References
ASTM: D 4719 07, Standard Test
Methods for Prebored Pressuremeter
Testing in Soils
BS 5930:1999
General Memorandum of The Menard
Pressuremeter Interpretation and
Application of Pressuremeter Test Results
to Foundation Design