Pressuremeter Testing (PMT)

Pressuremeters have cylindrical rubber membranes that are inflated using pressured fluid (water, gas, or oil) to measure volume change. Entire stress-strain-strength curves can be derived, as well as in-situ total horizontal stress (Po), shear modulus (G), shear strength (su or phi'), and limit pressure (PL). Types of PMT include the pre-bored (Menard) type, push-in device, self-boring pressuremeter (shown here), and full-displacement type (e.g., cone pressuremeter or pressiocone).


Professor Jean Benoit and SBPMT in Newport News, Virginia