Numerical Modelling of Pressuremeter Test

The pressuremeter test is an in-situ testing method used to achieve a quick measure of the in-situ stress-strain relationship of soil or rock. In principle, the pressuremeter test is carried out by applying pressure to the sidewalls of a borehole and observing the corresponding deformation. The pressuremeter consists of two parts, the read-out unit which rests on the ground surface, and the probe that is inserted into the borehole. The original Ménard-type pressuremeter was designed to apply uniform pressure to the borehole walls by means of inflatable flexible membrane. As the pressure increases, the borehole walls deform. The pressure is held constant for a certain period and the increase in volume required for maintaining the constant pressure is measured. A load-deformation diagram and soil characteristics can be deduced by measurement of the applied pressure and change in the volume of the expanding membrane. This research includes numerical modelling of pressuremeter test using finite element method. It is shown that despite the simplicity of the test itself, the state of stresses and deformations that develop around the membrane are quite complex and are influenced by various parameters.

Keywords:

pressuremeter test , finite element method , stress-strain relationship , numerical modelling ,