In Situ Site Investigation guarantees precision Pressuremeter testing services across the globe, ensuring rapid preliminary data typically within 24 hours.
Pressuremeter Testing
Pressuremeters are devices for carrying out in-situ testing of soils and rocks, primarily for strength and stiffness parameters. They are generally cylindrical, and long in diameter, with the central part of the instrument being covered by a flexible expanding membrane.
In Situ Site Investigation Pressuremeter Testing Services
In Situ Site Investigation offer a full range of pressuremeter testing services, including:
- Cone Pressuremeter
- Self-Boring Pressuremeter
- High Pressure Dilatometer
- Menard Pressuremeter Testing
All work is executed efficiently, with preliminary results typically being available within 24 hours. Detailed processing of the results is undertaken during the fieldwork, such that the operations can be adjusted to meet any specific requirements.
On completion of the fieldwork, we will also work with you to deliver the required level of reporting with the appropriate derived geotechnical design parameters.
Cutting Edge Pressuremeter Testing Technology
Management and operations are conducted by a highly experienced team with over 50 years of experience and a proven track record, to provide a world-class pressuremeter testing service.
We will help you select the right pressuremeter testing technology for your project, with our equipment being suitable for all geological formations from very soft clays through to hard rock formations.
Our range of cutting-edge technology includes the following:
High Pressure Dilatometer (HPD)
In Situ Site Investigation offers a full range of pressuremeter testing services to suit a variety of ground conditions. The High Pressure Dilatometer (HPD) is designed to perform in situ load-displacement tests to determine the strength and stiffness properties of the ground. It is primarily designed for testing in rock but can also be used for testing stiff clay and cemented sand. The HPD is inserted into a test pocket formed by conventional drilling methods and is referred to as a pre-bored pressuremeter.
The HPD is operated in conjunction with a rotary drilling rig which is used to drill the test pocket, lower the probe into the borehole on drill rods, and advance the borehole between test locations.
Self Boring Pressuremeter (SBP)
Our Pressuremeter testing also includes the Self Boring Pressuremeter (SBP) which is designed to perform in situ load-displacement tests to determine the strength and stiffness properties of the ground. It is effective in materials from loose sands and soft clays to very stiff clays and extremely weak rock. It will not operate in gravel or materials hard enough to damage the sharp cutting-edge pressuremeter.
The SBP is typically operated in conjunction with a rotary drilling rig which is used to lower the probe into the borehole, on specialist rods (inner and outer), and then advance the SBP to create its own test pocket. Alternatively, the SBP can also be used with a cable percussion boring rig with some additional equipment.
Menard Pressuremeter
The Ménard pressuremeter (MPM) test is performed by the radial expansion of the cylindrical tri-cell probe within a test pocket. This pressuremeter test is carried out by injecting liquid into the central measuring cell and gas into the guard cells to expand the probe to induce displacement of the ground. It is designed for testing in superficial deposits, such as loose to medium-dense sands and soft to very stiff clays.
The MPM is operated in conjunction with a rotary drilling rig which is used to drill the test pocket, lower the probe into the borehole on drill rods, and advance the borehole between test locations.
Driven Pressuremeter
The Driven or Reaming Pressuremeter (DPM/RPM) is designed to perform in situ load-displacement tests to determine the strength and stiffness properties of the ground. It is primarily designed for pressuremeter testing in superficial deposits, such as loose to medium-dense sands and soft to very stiff clays. The DPM is typically pushed into undisturbed ground and so is a full displacement Pressuremeter.
The DPM/RPM is predominantly used in conjunction with a Cone Penetration Test (CPT) rig but can also be utilised from a rotary drilling or cable percussion boring rig with minimal additional support equipment.
Goodman Jack
The Goodman Jack is a borehole probe used for the measurement of wall deformation as a function of applied load. Data obtained from the load-displacement measurements give the in situ deformation modulus of the rock directly. The probe is designed to be used in a NX (3 inch) borehole and operated in accordance with BS EN ISO 22476-7:2012.
Operated in conjunction with a rotary drilling rig which is used to drill the test pocket, lower the probe into the borehole on drill rods and advance the borehole between test locations. The sequence of testing typically involves drilling at full borehole diameter to above the scheduled test depth, then drilling a 1.5 m long test pocket. Test pockets are preferably cored, at NX size (76.3 mm), so that the test material can be examined and to maximize the uniformity of the pocket diameter and wall quality.
Geotechnical Engineering Project Sectors
Pressuremeter testing is becoming increasingly recognised as one of the key tools available to any geotechnical engineering design project.
Key sectors serviced in both the UK and overseas, on land and overwater, in recent years include:
- Nuclear new build and power generation
- Rail and Highways infrastructure
- Bridge construction
- Port & harbour development
- Tunnelling
- Offshore & onshore wind energy
- Utilities (water)
Contact us for more information about our Pressuremeter Testing Services