About Borehole Dilatometer Testing

Just as the pressuremeter collects stress-strain data points in soils and soft rocks, borehole dilatometer (rock pressuremeter) testing collects the same data in a pre-cored borehole in hard rock formations. With three times the pressure capacity of the pressuremeter, in-situ yield pressures can be reached in rock formations, providing crucial design data otherwise unattainable in the field.

Applications

Tunnel lining and concrete dam foundation design

Bearing capacity and settlement of deep foundations situated in rock

Lateral deformation analysis (L-Pile, MFAD)

Advantages of Borehole Dilatometer Testing

Provides unbiased, in-situ data that represents material strength properties in lieu of laboratory testing of rock core samples.

Eliminates testing errors caused by sampling methods or sample integrity

Often permits the use of higher design values than could have been considered from conventional data only.