Determination of horizontal geostatic stress in clay with self-bored pressuremeter

Abstract

The Gibson–Anderson theory for interpretation of pressuremeter data in clay is extended to include the unloading part of the test for the particular circumstances that prevail with a self-bored pressuremeter (SBP). Incorporation of the extended theory in a computer-aided modelling procedure allows horizontal geostatic stress to be unambiguously determined from SBP data by image matching irrespective of imperfections in the self-boring process. The procedure is illustrated by example on a previously reported test carried out in Beaufort Shelf clay. Key words: clay, in situ tests, self-bored pressuremeter, K0.