Dilatometer System

DILATOMETER SYSTEM
PREPARED FOR
HORIZON ENGINEERING INC
This equipment should be installed, maintained, and operated by technically qualified personnel.
Any errors or omissions in data, or the interpretation of data, are not the responsibility of Boart
Longyear Interfels GmbH. The information herein is subject to change without notification
Boart Longyear Interfels GmbH Tel: +49-5922-9898-0

Deilmannstr. 5 Fax: +49-5922-9898-98
D-48455 Bad Bentheim Interfels@boartlongyear-eu.com
BOART LONGYEAR INTERFELS Dilatometer System
Index
1 Purpose of measurement.............................................................................................................................................................3
2 Definition of moduli ......................................................................................................................................................................3
3 Calculation of moduli....................................................................................................................................................................4
4 General description of the equipment..........................................................................................................................................5

4.1 Dilatometer probe .................................................................................................................................................................6
4.2 Deformation measuring unit .................................................................................................................................................7
4.3 Pressure measuring unit.......................................................................................................................................................8
5 Execution of a borehole deformation measurement ...................................................................................................................9

5.1 Conditions of the borehole....................................................................................................................................................9
5.2 Preparation of the borehole ..................................................................................................................................................9
5.3 Checking the dilatometer probe .........................................................................................................................................10
5.4 Installation with steel rope and aluminium rods for orientation ..........................................................................................10
6 Replacement of the rubber sleeve.............................................................................................................................................12
2
PRINTED IN GERMANY- 5/5/04 Prepared for Horizon Engineering Inc.
2002 Boart Longyear Interfels GmbH Boart Longyear Interfels is constantly striving to improve its products and must therefore reserve the right to change designs, materials, specifications and price without notice.
1 Purpose of measurement
The dilatometer is used for measuring in-situ the deformability and for determining the elastic material constants of rocks or of
stiff soils in a conventional borehole.
The range of deformation moduli and Young's moduli measurable by the dilatometer extends from about 5 MPa to about 25
GPa (50 bars to 250000 bars).
When compared with plate jacking tests, the dilatometer test offers several advantages:
Reduced cost and increased operational facility enabling to perform several tests at various depths in a borehole
Testing of the ground in a state as close as possible to natural mechanical and hydraulic conditions
Possibility of using high pressures (up to about 8- 10 MPa i.e. 80 - 100 bars)
Possibility of determining the anisotropy of the ground formation.
2 Definition of moduli
The dilatometer measures the boring diameter variations in three equally spaced directions. Thus for each test three curves like
that in Figure 1 are obtained. Each curve corresponds to one of the measuring directions.
For each test with the dilatometer, it is possible to calculate:
- The values of the modulus of deformation corresponding to each one of the measurement directions (i.e. 3 values).
- For any given loading cycle, the values of the modulus of elasticity (Youngs Moduli) corresponding to each one of the meas-
urement directions (i.e. 3 values).
Afterwards, it is possible to either use the averages of the series of 3 values or by means of the values themselves to study the
anisotropy of the material in which the test has been carried out.
3
Figure 1 illustrates the above definitions:
first loading 100 %

[ M P a ]
reloading
deformation
unloading 70/30 (Young's Modulus)
70 %
p r e s s u r e
30 %
starting
pressure 0%
borehole widening [mm]
Fig. 1: To the definition of Moduli: First-Loading Modulus

Reloading Modulus
Deformation Modulus
Unloading (Youngs Modulus)
3 Calculation of moduli
Calculation of the moduli is accomplished by use of the LAM tube formula:
E = (1 + v) p Do / D
in which:
E = YOUNG's Modulus
= POISSON's ratio of the tested material
p = Pressure increase (pi - po).
Do = Diameter of the borehole for pressure po
D = Change of the borehole diameter D in connection with a rise of the dilatometer pressure p from po to pi
The dilatometer does not allow determination of the POISSON's ratio . Thus, use should be made of the values resulting from
other tests (for instance laboratory tests). Alternatively, one may use estimated values which generally proves quite sufficient.
The value of the POISSON's ratio for rocks is usually between 0.15 and 0.35 and thus in absence of other information it is rec-
ommended to adopt a value of 0.25. For sandstone, an average of 0.33 may be used, and for stiff to very stiff clays a value of
0.35.
4
4 General description of the equipment
The equipment is composed of:
- dilatometer probe
- sludge barrel
- 100 m high pressure tube
- 100 m electrical cable
- aluminium orientation rods (30 m)
- readout for the deformation sensors
- pressure measuring unit (pneumatic control unit)
- nitrogen pressure bottle (not component of our delivery)
- Notebook PC
Fig. 2: Dilatometer Equipment
5
4.1 Dilatometer probe
The 96 mm dilatometer probe is cylindrical and is made up of a steel body covered

with a reinforced rubber sheath, called "sleeve".
At each end of the probe, the sleeve is secured to the steel body via anchoring
pieces which provide watertightness and mechanical linkage.
Three deformation sensors are housed in the central part of the unit, enabling meas-
urements of the change in diameter of up to 25 mm. The three sensors are oriented
by 120 to each other. They are spaced at 75 mm distance along the cylindrical
dilatometer probe.
The signals of the deformation sensors are transmitted via an electric cable to the
readout box outside the borehole.
To inflate the sleeve, a pressure has to be exerted from outside the borehole via the
special tubing to the dilatometer probe. The inflation pressure is exerted by com-
pressed nitrogen.
Figure 3 gives a schematic illustration of a dilatometer probe.
The deformation sensors are numbered as follows:
Sensor No.1: upper sensor

Sensor No.2: middle sensor
Sensor No.3: lower sensor
Fig. 3: Simplified section of the dilatometer probe IF 096
1 Reinforced rubber sleeve

2 Displacement transducers
3 Pressure line
4 Electric cable plug
5 Protection tube with connection
for string or setting rods
6 Hook for drilling rig rope
7 Connection dilatometer probe/protection tube
6
4.2 Deformation measuring unit
The deformation measuring unit is composed of a main power supply unit , three digital displays for the deformation sensors
and one digital display for the pressure.
1 Display for the deformation sensor 1 (upper sensor)

2 Display for the deformation sensor 2 (middle sensor)
3 Display for the deformation sensor 3 (lower sensor)
4 Display for the pressure (bar)
5 Battery test
6 Power switch
7 Socket for battery charger
8 Connection to dilatometer probe (probe)
9 Connection to Notebook (RS 485)
Dilatometer
INTER
FELS
Sensor 1 1
mm
Sensor 2 2
mm
3 Charger
Sensor 3
mm 7
bar RS 485 Probe

6 5 9 8
Power Batt.-Test
Fig. 4: Deformation measuring unit
7
4.3 Pressure measuring unit
The pressure measuring unit is also mounted in a portable box.
It is composed of:
1 Pressure inlet
2 Pressure outlet to probe
3 25 bar pressure gage
4 250 bar pressure gage
5 Volume regulator
6 Relief valve
7 Lock valve for 25 bar pressure gauge
10 15
3
5 20
100 150
0 25 4
bar
50 200
0 250
bar
Volume Regulator 5 7 6 Relief Valve
Lock Valve
25 bar 2
Pressure Inlet 1 to Probe
Fig. 5: Pressure measuring unit
8
5 Execution of a borehole deformation measurement
5.1 Conditions of the borehole
1. Principally, a diamond-drilled borehole is necessary for the test. In a highly-fractured ground with potentially unstable borehole
walls use of a wireline system such as the SK 6 L is strongly recommended. The borehole for the dilatometer test is then
drilled as a pilot hole from the bottom of the SK 6 L hole. In this particular case the outer SK 6 L drill string can be used as a
protective tube and can be left in the ground during drilling of the pilot hole and during testing. Notice that the outer protective
tubing must be smooth on its inner side and that the core bit must be flush with the inner diameter of the tubing.
2. The drill cores of each borehole must be laid down in core boxes and properly marked. The core boxes must be accessible for
inspection prior to each test.
3. The borehole diameter of the test section should be best 101 mm, but not smaller than 96 mm. Particular care must be taken
to avoid any substantial overbreak of the pilot hole (e.g. due to undue flushing or eccentricity of the drilling string). Pilot holes
which are oversized by more than about 5 mm might lead to the situation that the measuring range of the three displacement
transducers, which are built in the dilatometer probe, are already exceeded at commencement of the test.
4. The length of the pilot hole depends on the number and type of tests to be carried out and also on the quality of the rock to be
tested.
In normal circumstances it is:
1 test: length min. 2.0 m; max. 3.0 m

2 tests: length min. 4.0 m; max. 5.0 m
5. The borehole must be stable right down to the test section. In unstable boreholes protective tubings are essential. If the dila-
tometer probe becomes jammed due to insufficient borehole protection the contractor will become liable for the loss of the in-
strument.
5.2 Preparation of the borehole
First of all investigation drilling (the best 146 mm) has to conducted close to the area due to be examinated. This borehole has
to be secured by tubing 146 mm. If the investigation is executed as the wireline core drilling (for ex. SK6L), the drill rod can be
used as tubing.
A pilot borehole ( 101 mm) has to be drilled from the bottom of the investigation bore hole. The pilot hole should have a depth
of minimum 2 m and maximum 3 m. The dilatometer tests are performed in the pilot borehole.
9
5.3 Checking the dilatometer probe
Before performance of a measurement or a series of measurements the dilatometer probe has to be checked with respect to
gas tightness.
The calibration of the deformation transducers can be executed only at detached sleeve (see section 4.4).
Before performance of a measurement or a series of measurements the dilatometer probe has to be checked on the surface.
The probe is connected to the readout unit, the manifold by means of the measuring cable respectively the high pressure pneu-
matic tube. Finally the manifold is connected with the pressure reduction valve on the nitrogen bottle.
When the readout is switched on it should show negative values of 4.000 to 7.000 mm for the three displacement sensors.
Then the probe will be inflated at a pressure between 1.5 and 2. 0 bar which is required to overcome the inherent resistance of
the sleeve. Please take into account that the expansion of the inflated sleeve is not limited if the probe is inflated on the surface,
which may lead to damage at higher pressures.
Attention: Displacement values displayed on the measuring device should not exceed the limit value of 15 mm because
the displacement range of the probe is limited to 20 mm and 5 mm have been lost by the calibrating procedure.
Now the data display of the readout must go to positive values.
A deformation of > 15 mm will damage the sleeve respectively the deformation sensors.
After reducing the pressure to 0 bar the sleeve deflates and returns to its initial position thus compressing the transducers. The
displays should now show negativ values of 4.000 to 7.000 mm.
5.4 Installation with steel rope and aluminium rods for orientation
The flexible pressure tube and the electric cable will be threaded through the sludge barrel and connected to the probe. Then
the sludge barrel will be fastened to the top of the probe with two hexagon socket screws M10. The probe is hooked to the tow
rope of the drilling rig at the stirrup on top of the sludge barrel and raised above the borehole. Care has to be taken to avoid
kinking of the electrical cable and the high pressure pneumatical tube. Normally the probe is introduced into the borehole with a
steel rope of the drill rig and additional aluminium rods (20 x 20 mm, 3 m length) for orientated placement.
The measuring cable and the pressure tube must be fixed every 3 m at the steel rope resp. aluminium rods to avoid damages of
the during raising. Adhesive tape can be used for fixation of the measuring cable and the pressure tube in shallow boreholes
(depths < 100 m). In case of deep boreholes rope clams have to be used for fixing the heavy weight of the cable and the tube on
the steel cable.
The pilot borehole should have a suitable depth, not too deep in order to save time and drilling costs but deep enough to enable
a selection of suitable test areas. The upper part of the sludge barrel should still penetrate the tubing, as demonstrated by
figure 6.
10
Fig. 6: Borehole installation of the dilatometer probe
A pilot borehole depth of 3 m has proved to be favourable, allowing a longer borehole section to be explored by using the probe
and then determine the final test location. This procedure is recommended since the rubber sleeve may be damaged or de-
stroyed even at low pressures in case of occurrence of sharp edges in the borehole wall (due to breakout or in case of alter-
nated stratification of hard and soft rock layers. The latter case is very critical because it might be not discovered by the explora-
tion with the probe. Therefore it is indispensable to gain an impression of the borehole geometry (open rock joints, fractures,
overexcavation etc) and the physical properties of the rock mass by inspection of the drill cores.
After a suitable test location has been selected and the probe has been positioned the test procedure is initiated by applying an
appropriate pressure to the probe thus inflating the sleeve and exerting a small compression to the borehole side wall. For the
evaluation of the initial testing pressure the water pressure in the borehole has to be taken into account.
Now the pressure has to be increased stepwise where by in each load step the pressure has to be kept at a constant level until
a deformation velocity of less then 0.02 mm/min is evaluated.
All measuring results have to be plotted as a function of time (a formsheet is enclosed in the appendix). This is facilitated
through fixing the deformation value on the display of the deformation measuring device by pushing the key "data hold".
Usually several load cycles are performed during the dilatometer test. Then the minimum unloading pressure should not be less
than the initial testing pressure in order to prevent slipping of the probe.
The maximum load should not exceed 80 bar.
Attention: Displacement values displayed on the measuring device should not exceed the limit value of 15 mm because
the displacement range of the probe is limited to 20 mm and 5 mm have been lost by the calibrating procedure.
11
6 Replacement of the rubber sleeve
Attention : Each time a rubber sleeve is replaced a calibration check of the three deformation transducers will be necessary.
Assembly instructions:
1. Place the probe with the lower part in a pipe vice.

2. Six hexagon screws are mounted at the rubber sleeve where the deformation transducers are located. Remove the screws.
3. Unscrew the head piece (use chain wrenches 12" with extension). Detach the connector and remove the vent pipe. Push the
cable back into the probe body.
4. Dismantle upper chucking collet.
For unscrewing place one chain wrench on the chucking nut and the second one on the clamping sleeve next to the rubber
sleeve (don't place the chain wrench on the ring above the chucking nut!).
5. Remove the chucking ring by applying light hammer strokes via a brass stick about 20 cm long and 20 mm in diameter.
6. Straddle the groove of the chucking collet with a screwdriver and remove it. The sides of the screwdriver blade should he
sharpen (as depicted) to prevent slip of the screwdriver.
7. Take off the spacer ring.
Do not exchange the pieces from the upper and lower chucking collet.
8. Dismantle the foot piece.
Therefore the head piece must be remounted and fastened by screwing. Then the probe is turned around and the head piece
chucked in the vice. Unscrew the foot piece.
9. Remove the lower chucking collet. Precede as described under point 3. to 6.
10. Remove the rubber sleeve.
If this is not possible then carefully make a cut with a steel saw in the area of the upper and lower chucking collet. The probe
body must not be damaged.
11. Clean all pieces carefully with silicon oil.
12. Take the deformation transducers out of their guidance. Clean the probe body from dirt and water by using compressed air.
Clean the transducers and push the cores into the coils several times to assure that no water is trapped in the transducers.
13. Lubricate the deformation transducers with a little bit of grease and check easy working. Then reintroduce the transducers
into their guidance.
14. Calibrate the deformation transducers.
Plug the connector into the head piece. Connect the probe to the measuring unit. Place the calibration unit with the 15 mm
gauge to the deformation transducers as shown in Fig. 5. Read and note the display. Then place the calibration unit with the
0 mm gauge to the transducers.
The difference of the displayed values should be +15 0.01 mm.
Fig. 6: Calibration of the transducers
12
This calibration procedure has to be executed for all of the three transducers. The orientation of the transducers must be the
same as shown in Fig. 5. The broader diameter of the transducer must be in upwards direction.
Please contact INTERFELS Bad Bentheim (0049-5922-98980) if the values of one of the transducers are not corresponding.
15. Coat the probe corpus with silicon oil.

16. Coat the inside of the new sleeve with silicon oil.
17. Push the rubber sleeve over the probe body from the lower to the upper end. Thereby push the transducers together and
introduce them one by one into their seat.
18. Adjust the rubber sleeve to fit the location of the perforations in the sleeve with the position of the deformation transducers.
19. Slip the lower spacer ring over the foot piece of the rubber sleeve. Mount the lower clamping sleeve by straddling with the
screw-driver and greasing with a high-quality grease.
20. Slip over the chucking ring.
21. Lubricate the chucking nut with grease. Put the conical chucking nut on with care in order to prevent damage. Screw it tight
and prevent unscrewing by using a second chain wrench. If the gap of the chucking collet is larger then 0.5 mm disassemble
the chucking nut and chucking ring once more and wrap it with one or two layers of adhesive tape. Then reassemble the
chucking ring. Attention: Prevent twisting of the rubber sleeve!
If the sleeve has been twisted by screwing the nut, the transducers and the stops are out of line thus causing loss of measur-
ing precision or even of the damage of the transducers.
22. Mount the upper anchoring piece.
23. Fix the hexagon socket screws.
The hexagon socket screws inserted in the rubber sleeve are used as measuring stops for the deformation transducers. The
task of the measuring stops is to precisely transmit the expansion of the rubber sleeve to the transducers.
24. Remount the head piece.
Unscrew the vent pipe and twist the cable in anti-clock wise direction, introduce it into the head piece and screw the head
slowly. The number of turns is equal to the number of thread.
25. Make a first check of the dilatometer probe as described in chapter 5.3.
13

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DILATOMETER SYSTEM

Boart Longyear Interfels GmbH Tel: +49-5922-9898-0

2 Definition of moduli ......................................................................................................................................................................3

4 General description of the equipment..........................................................................................................................................5

5 Execution of a borehole deformation measurement ...................................................................................................................9

6 Replacement of the rubber sleeve.............................................................................................................................................12

GPa (50 bars to 250000 bars).

For each test with the dilatometer, it is possible to calculate:

Figure 1 illustrates the above definitions:

first loading 100 %

borehole widening [mm]

Fig. 1: To the definition of Moduli: First-Loading Modulus

Calculation of the moduli is accomplished by use of the LAM tube formula:

4 General description of the equipment

The equipment is composed of:

Fig. 2: Dilatometer Equipment

4.1 Dilatometer probe

The 96 mm dilatometer probe is cylindrical and is made up of a steel body covered

Figure 3 gives a schematic illustration of a dilatometer probe.

The deformation sensors are numbered as follows:

Sensor No.1: upper sensor

Fig. 3: Simplified section of the dilatometer probe IF 096

1 Reinforced rubber sleeve

4.2 Deformation measuring unit

1 Display for the deformation sensor 1 (upper sensor)

bar RS 485 Probe

Fig. 4: Deformation measuring unit

4.3 Pressure measuring unit

The pressure measuring unit is also mounted in a portable box.

Volume Regulator 5 7 6 Relief Valve

Fig. 5: Pressure measuring unit

5 Execution of a borehole deformation measurement

5.1 Conditions of the borehole

In normal circumstances it is:

1 test: length min. 2.0 m; max. 3.0 m

5.2 Preparation of the borehole

5.3 Checking the dilatometer probe

Now the data display of the readout must go to positive values.

Fig. 6: Borehole installation of the dilatometer probe

6 Replacement of the rubber sleeve

1. Place the probe with the lower part in a pipe vice.

Fig. 6: Calibration of the transducers

15. Coat the probe corpus with silicon oil.

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