Pressuremeter interpretation for weak rock

Abstract

When a pressuremeter test is carried out in a weak or weathered rock, it is likely that tensile cracks will be formed and propagated during instrument expansion within the rock mass. By using numerical modelling techniques, it is shown that pressuremeter response can be radically affected by these cracks. Consequently, current methods of interpretation for weak rock require significant reappraisal if relevant engineering properties are to be derived from the tests.