IGS provides Pressuremeter Testing to assess in situ stiffness and strength parameters in both soil and rock materials. They consist of a cylindrical probe, with a section of flexible membrane, that is inflated to press against and deform the wall of a preformed cavity.
Volume and pressure changes are recorded with time.
Our pressuremeters are supplied by Roctest and are mono-cell hydraulic probes, where ground deformation is determined by measuring the volume of fluid injected into the probe from the surface.
IGS has three pressuremeter types available:
The PENCEL, also known as the pavement pressuremeter is a 35mm diameter mono-cellular probe which consists of a cylindrical body fitted with an inflatable sheath.
The PENCEL has a max. applied wall pressure of 2,500 kPa and can be used in most soil types.
The PENCEL is a highly portable system that is simple to operate and easy to transport.
The probe can be placed in advance of a borehole in a pre-made 35mm diameter cavity, or can also be inserted by direct pushing in advance of a borehole or in a CPT Test hole.
Both Strain controlled and Stress (Creep) controlled testing can be undertaken.
Load and Unload cycles are possible.
The PENCEL can be used in conjunction with any of IGS's in situ testing rigs.
Maximum depth currently ~60m.
The TEXAMe, is a 74mm mono-cellular probe which consists of a cylindrical body fitted with an inflatable sheath for use in pre-drilled boreholes (NMLC and NQ core barrels are of optimum size).
The TEXAMe has a max. applied wall pressure of 10,000 kPa and can be used in most soil types and "weak rock".
Pressure and volume readings are measured with electrical sensors and read, via a blue tooth connection, to a hand-held tablet-operated readout with real time graphing of test data.
The PROBEXe, is a 74mm mono-cellular probe which consists of a cylindrical body fitted with an inflatable sheath for use in pre-drilled boreholes (NMLC and NQ core barrels are of optimum size).
The PROBEXe has a max. applied wall pressure of 30,000 kPa and can be used in "strong" soil types and "weak rock".
Maximum depth currently ~130m.
Pressuremeter test results can be interpreted by our clients to derive the following Parameters:
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