Numerical analysis for an interpretation

Abstract

We present the theory used for the interpretation of the pressuremeter test in cohesive soil and its extension to the conventional limit pressure, which is defined as the pressure at the borehole wall for a volume increase DV equal to the initial volume of the borehole. This conventional limit pressure can be directly measured with the pressuremeter whereas the determination of the theoretical limit pressure needs an extrapolation to an infinite expansion and cannot be directly measured. The validation of this theory is made by the finite element method with the results of the Tresca standard model of Plaxis, which is compared with the theoretical expression. Conclusions are drawn on the validity of this new theory which allows the measurement and the control of shearing modulus and shear strength of the natural soil.