Interpretation of moduli from self-boring pressuremeter tests in sand

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Jamiolkowski, M.
  • Bellotti, R.
  • Ghionna, V.
  • Peterson, R. W.
  • Robertson, P.

• The pressuremeter is a unique method for assessing directly the in situ shear stiffness of soils. However, the correct interpretation and application of the measured modulus must account for the relevant stress and strain level acting around the pressuremeter during the test. A method to correct the measured unload-reload shear modulus from self-bored pressuremeter tests in sands is proposed. The method has been evaluated using extensive data obtained from 47 tests performed in a large calibration chamber using pluvially-deposited silica sand and from 25 tests performed in situ in a natural deposit of relatively clean silica sand at the River Po, Italy. A consistent relationship was obtained between the corrected unload-reload shear modulus and the small strain shear modulus determined from resonant column tests and field cross-hole tests. Suggestions are given to link the measured moduli with moduli values required for geotechnical design problems. The importance of strain level, stress-strain model, yield and number of load cycles is discussed.

• Date created

  1989

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Field tests
  • Sands
  • Analysis
  • Stiffness
  • Site investigation
  • Shear modulus

• Type of Item

  Article (Published)

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3DQ8V

• License

  © 1989 Thomas Telford. The original author(s) and source must be cited. Permission is granted by ICE Publishing to print one copy for personal use. Any other use of these PDF files is subject to reprint fees.