PRESSURE METER TEST

Concept
In 1957 Louis Menard.
In-situ testing method.
To achieve a quick and easy measure of the
in-situ stress-strain relationship of soil.
Parameters (Em ,Pl)
 Principle
Is to introduce a cylindrical probe with a
flexible cover which can expand radially in a
borehole.
 Cntd
Pressure applied- on the walls of hole.
Volumetric deformation.
Stress-stain curve.
Pressuremeter parameters:
Em: Menard modulus ,settlement
Pl : Limit Pressure, bearing capacity of soil
Equipment Description & Procedure
 2 parts, a read-out unit and a probe
Radial expansion- flexible rubber membrane
Applied pressure- using neutral gas(nitrogen),
cheap and simple source of energy
Control of applied pressure and measurement
of radial deformation-monitoring box
Probe- 3 independent cells, a measuring cell
and 2 guard cells
 Guard cells- inflated to brace the probe in
place
Measuring cell- pressure on bore hole walls
Pressure increases- walls deform
Pressure held constant for 60s, increase in
volume to maintain constant pressure is
recorded
 Installation methods
1) Pre-drilled installation
2) Self-boring installation
 Result Interpretation
Load-deformation diagram is recorded for
each test run.
There are three phases of the deformation
curve:
1. The re-establishing phase
2. The pseudo-elastic phase
3. The plastic phase
 Limit Pressure(pL)
Injected volume at limit pressure(vL)
vL = v0 + VC + v0 = 2v0 + VC

v0 = volume required to inflate pressuremeter

and push soil to its original position.
VC = initial volume of the measuring cell.
 Net limit pressure (pL*)

pL* = pL pho

pL = limit pressure
pho= initial total horizontal pressure in the
ground.
 Deformation Modulus(EPMT)
Derived from the pseudo-elastic phase.

EPMT = 2(1 + )V
v

s = Poissons ratio, typically = 0.33

V = cavity volume during the pseudo-elastic
phase = VC + vm
vm= the mean volume of the pseudo-elastic
phase.
p/v = slope of the pseudo-elastic phase
 Advantages
Large number of fundamental soil properties
are obtained from a single test.
Measurements made insitu.
Results obtained quickly.
Instruments are more reliable.
Appropriate for predicting the performance of
laterally loaded piles.
 Limitations
Will not penetrate into gravels, claystones etc.
Only two stress paths can in practice be
followed, undrained and fully drained.
Instuments and equipments are complex.
Inappropriate analysis for interpretation can
result in misleading parameters.