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Module 3: Field Tests in Rock: 3.3 Insitu Test For Deformability Contd... 3.3.3 Pressuremeter Tests

This document discusses pressuremeter tests, which are used to measure in situ horizontal earth pressures and soil/soft rock moduli. A pressuremeter consists of a probe inserted into a borehole with inflatable cells. As the measuring cell is pressurized, it exerts a force on the borehole wall and the increase in volume needed to maintain pressure is recorded over 60 seconds. This data can be used to determine the pressuremeter modulus of the soil/rock. The document also introduces different types of in situ rock stresses, including gravitational, tectonic and induced stresses, and discusses trends in vertical and horizontal stress ratios with depth based on worldwide data.

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Rahul Chandra
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28 views

Module 3: Field Tests in Rock: 3.3 Insitu Test For Deformability Contd... 3.3.3 Pressuremeter Tests

This document discusses pressuremeter tests, which are used to measure in situ horizontal earth pressures and soil/soft rock moduli. A pressuremeter consists of a probe inserted into a borehole with inflatable cells. As the measuring cell is pressurized, it exerts a force on the borehole wall and the increase in volume needed to maintain pressure is recorded over 60 seconds. This data can be used to determine the pressuremeter modulus of the soil/rock. The document also introduces different types of in situ rock stresses, including gravitational, tectonic and induced stresses, and discusses trends in vertical and horizontal stress ratios with depth based on worldwide data.

Uploaded by

Rahul Chandra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module 3 : Field Tests in Rock

LECTURE 8
3.3

INSITU TEST FOR DEFORMABILITY Contd...

3.3.3

Pressuremeter Tests
A pressuremeter is a field test to measure the at-rest horizontal earth pressure and

soil/soft rock modulus. Louis Menard from

France in 1955 was the first brought the

pressuremeter to the forefront. This test is very useful for many geotechnical applications
namely,

Bearing capacity of shallow and deep foundations

Settlement of all types of foundations

Deformation of laterally loaded piles and sheet piles

Resistance of anchors

Pressuremeter test is performed by applying pressure to the sidewalls of the borehole. It


consists of two units, one readout unit that rests on the ground surface and a probe that is
inserted into the borehole. Once the probe is at the test depth, the guard cells are inflated to
brace the probe in place. Then the measuring cell is pressurized with water, inflating its
flexible rubber bladder, which exerts a pressure on the borehole wall. As the pressure in the
measuring cell increases, the borehole walls deform. The pressure within the measuring cell
is held constant for approximately 60 seconds and the increase in volume required to
maintain the constant pressure is recorded.

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Module 3 : Field Tests in Rock

Figure 3.20: Pressuremeter setup and pressure control system

Figure 3. 21: Plot of pressure versus total cavity volume

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Module 3 : Field Tests in Rock


The pressuremeter modulus, E p , of the soil is determined with the use of the theory of
expansion of an infinitely thick cylinder.

Thus,

Where,

s = Poissons ratio (which may be assumed to be 0.33).

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Module 3 : Field Tests in Rock


3.4 INSITU STRESS AND THEIR DETERMINATION
There is always a pre-existing stress in the rock sites and during excavation the stress
state may change dramatically. Engineering. analysis requires boundary condition and insitu
stress is one of the most important boundary conditions for the analysis of underground
excavation
One should have a basic knowledge of stress state and need to understand the direction and
magnitude of the major principal stress, the direction in which the rock is most likely to fail.

ROCK STRESSES

INSITU (VIRGIN)
STRESSES
Gravitational stresses

Tectonic stresses

Active tectonic stresses

Broad scale

INDUCED STRESSES
excavation,

mining

Residual stresses

Terrestrial stresses

Diagenesis, metamorphism, magma


cooling

Seasonal temperature variation, tidal


stresses etc.

Remnant tectonic
stresses

Local scale

Figure 3.22: Classification of rock stresses

Figure 3.23: Different sources of tectonic stresses


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Module 3 : Field Tests in Rock


Vertical stress component is assumed to increase with depth due to the weight of the
overburden. As a rule of thumb taking average density of rock into account, 40m of
overburden induces approximately 1MPa stress. The horizontal principal stress is around one
3rd of the vertical principal stress, considering the equation below.

H =

V
1

Figure 3.24: Worldwide trend for vertical stress with respect to depth

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Module 3 : Field Tests in Rock

Figure 3.25: Ratio of horizontal and vertical insitu stress with respect to depth,
worldwide trend

Figure 3.26: World stress map


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