The Use of PENCEL Pressuremeter Test for Underground Structures

This paper presents a description of the equipment, testing procedure, and methodology to obtain ground mechanical parameters. The p y curves for laterally loaded piles are developed. Methods for the development of p y curves from pressure meter and dilatometer (DMT) test are described. P y curves are used in the analysis to represent lateral soil pile interaction. The pressure meter offers an almost ideal in situ modeling tool for determining directly the p y curves for the design of deep foundations. As the pressure meter can be driven into the soil, the results can be used to model a displacement pile. DMT tests were performed for comparisons with PPMT tests. Correlations were developed between the PPMT and DMT results, indicating a consistency in soil parameters values. Comparisons between PPMT and DMT p y curves were developed based on the ultimate soil resistance, the slope of the initial portion of the curves, and the shape of the curves. The initial slope shows a good agreement between PPMT and DMT results. The predicted DMT and PPMT ultimate loads are not similar, while the predicted PPMT and DMT deflections within the elastic range are identical.