A series of self-boring pressuremeter tests performed in Bothkennar clay are simulated using a finite element model of undrained cavity expansion. A bonded elasto plastic soil model is employed to represent Bothkennar clay behaviour. The model is calibrated using laboratory test results. Then, the pressuremeter expansion curve and the cavity pore pressure curves are predicted, both for tests made at depths where laboratory results are available and for tests where such information is missing. Comparison is made in terms of the whole response curves and of standard field test interpretation. The effect of structure is made explicitly visible by comparing simulations with and without structure. Introducing structure in the model considerably improves the simulation results. This means that SBPM tests seem able to detect most of the original soil structure.

Peer Reviewed