Volumetric Changes and Point of Saturation around a Pressuremeter Probe Used in Unsaturated Soils
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 11
Abstract
The interpretation of pressuremeter test results in cohesive soils assumes that the soil is saturated and the rate of loading is such that undrained conditions apply. Pressuremeter tests in compacted soils or heavily overconsolidated clays may have a degree of saturation that is less than 100%. Consequently, the soil may undergo volume changes during the initial stages of loading. Loading of the soil will result in the compression of occluded air and consequently the initial circumferential strains may be a function of volumetric changes and not a result of borehole expansion alone. A method to determine the applied radial total stress that will result in saturation for the pressuremeter test is developed based on Hilf’s method of pore water pressure prediction during compressive loading of an unsaturated soil. A method to quantify the volume change that will occur within the plastic region around the pressuremeter probe prior to saturation is also developed.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of the City of Edmonton, AECOM, the Ledcor Group for their roles in funding this work and providing access to the site, In Situ Engineering for providing the pressuremeter probe, Jacob Dafni for his help in carrying out the pressuremeter tests, and Mobile Augers for providing the drilling equipment and staff. This work was financially supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 11 • November 2015
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 19, 2014
Accepted: Apr 17, 2015
Published online: Jun 5, 2015
Published in print: Nov 1, 2015
Discussion open until: Nov 5, 2015
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