The pressuremeter is an advanced geotechnical tool used to measure a variety of soil and rock properties. A cylindrical membrane is expanded and the stress-strain response of the soil or rock is obtained. The primary purpose of the PMT is to determine the soil modulus and at-rest earth pressure, however there are many other applications.
TYPES
Self-bore
Pre-bore
Full displacement (Push-in)
SYSTEMS
88mm Self-boring 6-Strain Arm Direct Sensing PMT
46mm Pre-bore 3-Strain Arm Direct Sensing PMT
95mm Pre-bore 6-Strain Arm Direct Sensing High Pressure PMT
Roctest: TEXAM (Pre-bore)
Roctest: BOREMAC (Self-bore)
Other systems are also available
Advantages
Self-bore systems provide minimal disturbance for near in-situ test conditions
Cambridge Insitu systems use multiple feeler arms (3 to 6, depending on probe used) for direct strain sensing around the probe body
Smaller diameter push-in system (Cambridge RPM unit) can be used inside SPT pocket
Applications
Shallow and deep foundation design
Settlement
Lateral deformation of piles or sheet piles
In-situ stress-strain curve and pressuremeter modulus is obtained
Unload / Reload cycles can be performed for cyclic loads (ie - wind, waves)
Suitable for all soils
Applicable to a range of material, from soils to rock
Fundamental soil properties can be determined: su, Φ’, c’, Gi, G, u0, oh, (K0), PL
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