PRESSURE METER TEST

PLANNING OF EXPLORATION PROGRAMME

BORE LOG
PREPARATION OF SOIL REPORT
 PRESSURE METER TEST
 Pressure meter test is also referred to as “SUB SOIL
DEFORMETER”
 It is developed by Menard for determining stress
deformation characteristics of the soil in natural
conditions.
 From the relationship of stress strain obtained at rest
horizontal earth pressure, elastic modulus of soil etc.. Can
be determined
Types of pressure meters
 Bore-hole pressure meter
 Self-boring pressure meter
 Cone pressuremeter
 Standards:
 BSI BS 5930 Code of practice for site investigations
 ASTM D4719 - 07 Standard Test Method for Prebored
Pressuremeter Testing in Soils
Physical Components of Pressure
Meter:
 Probe
 Tubing
 Control unit.
Probe:
 Consists of three cells which are inflatable.
 Middle cell is the measuring cell or main cell, filled with
water during the test.
 The two cells top and the bottom are guard cells, protect the
main cell from the end effects caused by finite length of
cable.
 They are protected by metal shield.
 A rigid hollow tube is arranged through
the cells to pump water and gas.
Test Procedure
Drilling a
bore hole.

Positioning
of probe

Conducting
test.
Drilling a bore hole:
 Menard’s pressure meter is not used to drill bore hole and
separate equipment is required which causes least
disturbance to soil while drilling.
1.03Dp<Dh<1.20Dp
 Different designations are there for diameter of bore hole
with respect to length and diameter of probe and length of
measuring cell.
.
Positioning of Probe
 The probe is lowered down to the required elevation using
cables without disturbing the surrounding soil and the
apparatus.
Conducting test:
 By control unit, gas and water is filled into the guard and
measuring cell respectively which maintains equal
pressure.
 Using measuring cell, pressure is applied on the walls of
bore hole.

Application of pressure

Equivalent pressure Equivalent volume

increment. increment
Equivalent pressure increment
method.
 The volume change is noted after every fixed interval of
time and pressure increment untill limit pressure is
reached.
Equivalent volume increment
method.
 The probe volume is increased by 5% for each increment,
and probe is held constantly for 30 seconds.
 Then, pressure readings are noted.
Results:
 A graph is obtained by representing the volume of water
used for each increment on ordinate(y-axis) and pressure
value for each increment on abscissa(x-axis)
 PLANNING OF EXPLORATION
PROGRAMME
 It involves location and depth of borings, test pits or other
methods to be used.
 Methods of sampling and tests to be carried out.

PURPOSE OF SOIL EXPLORATION

 To determine, within practical limits the stratification and
engineering properties (strength, deformation, and
hydraulic characteristics) of the soil.
Factors considered
 Type of project undertaken.
 Location of project.
 Relative cost allocated for the investigation.
 Variability of soil strata ( relatively uniform soil require
less investigation).
Objective
 Should give maximum information to analyze and desing
the structure.
 It should be economical .( generally 0.05%-0.2% of total
cost)
 Programme should be continuously monitored and should
adopt changes if required.
Phases of exploration
Fact finding and geological
survey

Reconnaissance

Preliminary exploration

Detailed exploration
Fact finding and geological survey
 Assemble all information on dimensions, column spacing,
type and use of structure, basement requirements, and any
special architectural considerations of the proposed
building.
 For bridges the soil engineer should have access to type
and span lengths as well as pier loadings.
Reconnaissance
 Type and behavior of adjacent sites and structures such as
cracks, noticeable sags, and positioning doors and
windows.
 Erosion in existing cuts (or ditches) may also be observed
 For highways, run off patterns, as well as soil
stratification to the depth of the erosion cut, may be
observed.
Preliminary Investigation
 In this stage few borings or test pits are made.
 It studies the location of ground water table, type of soil
etc
 This stage limits the number of good quality samples
recovered and rely heavily on strength and settlement
correlations using index properties such as liquid limit,
plasticity index, and penetration data together with
unconfined compression test.
Detailed exploration
 Detailed information regarding the stratification of soils ,
zones of poor soil, etc by additional bores.
 For uniformly stratified soils the boring is done orderly
near to the critical elements of super structure.
 Complex projects must essentially adopt detailed
exploration.(dams, bridges, sky scrapers etc.,)
BORE LOG
 Recorded information obtained for insitu tests. It contains
1.Project name
2.Date and location of borehole
3.Method of boring
4.Dia of bore hole
5.soil profile and test result with depth
 Includes description or classification of soil/rock.
 Location of ground water table.
Soil Report
 Final document of the soil exploration phase of a project.
 It should be comprehensive and clesr.
 A good report should pocess:
1. Nature and importance of project.
2. Topographical and hydraulic description.
3. Description and analysis of results of field and
laboratory tests undertaken.
4. Calculations for safe determining safe bearing pressures
and loads.
5. Tables containing bore logs and other field and
laboratory test results
6. Drawings including index plan , site-plan , plotted test
results (graphs and charts), soil profiles.
7. Recommendations if any.
Thank you