Pressuremeters in Geotechnical Design

The pressuremeter is a versatile piece of ground investigation equipment that can be used to test any type of soil or rock in situ. It quantifies in-situ stress, stiffness, strength and permeability - the essential properties needed to design geotechnical structures. The results are used in pressuremeter specific design methods, empirical design methods and numerical analyses.

This reference book covers the types of pressuremeter and the control equipment, methods of installation, test procedures, methods of analysis including direct and indirect methods of interpretation, and application in design. This is supported by an exemplar specification for field operations with the interpretation of the results. Engineers are given enough detail to apply the results confidently.

This comprehensive and thorough discussion of pressuremeter testing in geotechnical design draws on over forty years’ experience in geotechnical engineering. It is essential for professional and academic engineering geologists and geotechnical, civil and structural engineers involved in ground investigation and geotechnical design.

Barry Clarke has over forty years’ experience in geotechnical engineering. He worked in ground investigation before joining the University of Cambridge to undertake research into pressuremeters. This led to the formation of a company specialising in pressuremeter testing which worked internationally. He is currently a Professor in Civil Engineering Geotechnics at the University of Leeds after a time at Newcastle University where he was Head of Civil Engineering. He is an active member of the geotechnical and civil engineering communities having been Chair of the British Geotechnical Society and President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.