Geotechnics: The pressuremeter, what are its benefits for your projects?
The pressuremeter is an essential high-precision tool for soil analysis in your projects, recommended for the study of projects, including the most complex ones.
It is outlined as an essential tool in the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual (MCIF) V2023.
A precise understanding of the soil for optimized foundations
The pressuremeter was specifically designed to measure in ground parameters:
- Parameters (creep pressure, limit pressure) used to calculate the bearing capacity of shallow or deep foundations at limit states.
- A deformation modulus in all soil types, allowing for the measurement of both absolute and differential settlements.
The pressuremeter tests conducted by Enviroc Groupe Fondasol follow international standard EN ISO 22476-4, September 2021 and American standard ASTM D4719.
By integrating the pressuremeter from the early phases of your project, we are able to:
- Reduce uncertainties, risks, and extra costs.
- Optimize the foundations of your structures with a high level of reliability.
Opting for this approach means choosing a service of excellence, innovative and dedicated to your construction projects, ensuring time savings, performance, and genuine peace of mind.
A series of reliable software developed around the pressuremeter
The Fondasol Group has developed a suite of innovative digital tools centered around the pressuremeter, designed for its engineering and investigation teams, ultimately benefiting its clients’ projects.
From the initial site approach phase to calculations and sizing, this suite of digital tools enables seamless data flow from the soil to all stages of our engineering missions, allowing us to better predict, interpret, calculate, size, and make decisions.
How is a pressuremeter test conducted?
The Ménard Pressuremeter Test (PMT) is an in-situ geotechnical test conducted according to EN ISO 22476-4 or ASTM D4719 standards. The test principle involves measuring soil deformation and rupture using a nitrogen-inflated probe, which is inserted into a prior geological exploration borehole with a maximum diameter of 64 mm.
The results are presented in a graphical log that combines lithology, and the geotechnical parameters measured at various depths. Each test is stopped when either the maximum pressure reaches 5 MPa or the probe volume reaches 600 cm³ for a standard probe or 450 cm³ for a pile probe.
These tests allow for the deduction of the limit pressure (pl) and deformation modulus (Em) of the soils, as well as the calculation of the bearing capacity for foundations (shallow, semi-deep, or deep) and soil compressibility (settlements). The calculations are performed according to the NF P 94-261 and NF P 94-262 standards (EUROCODE 7).
