J.Monnet, L.Boutonnier (2026) A novel method for pressuremeter test interpretation accounting for membrane deformation effects
Télécharger ici : J.Monnet, L.Boutonnier (2026) A novel method for pressuremeter test interpretation accounting for membrane deformation effects
A mathematical model of the pressuremeter membrane is presented, enabling the consideration of both the shape and thickness of the membrane and their influence on pressuremeter test results. The pressuremeter test provides essential parameters—namely, the pressuremeter modulus and limit pressure—which are critical for estimating the bearing capacity of foundations.
Current standards (AFNOR, NF EN ISO 22476-4; ASTM, D 4719-87) recommend only two corrections for test measurements: one accounting for equipment dilation and another for membrane rigidity. However, this conventional approach assumes that the internal pressure within the probe equals the soil’s reaction pressure at the borehole wall, neglecting:
- The effect of membrane thickness, and
- The deformation of the membrane under free or fixed boundary conditions. To address this limitation, we propose a novel beam theory-based model incorporating Winkler’s hypothesis for soil response.
To address this limitation, we propose a novel beam theory-based model incorporating Winkler’s hypothesis for soil response. This approach introduces two new corrections for pressuremeter measurements, validated through finite element numerical simulations of probe expansion for two membrane configurations: free-end and embedded boundaries.
The model’s effectiveness is demonstrated through an application to Fondasol measurements from the Messanges site, conducted as part of the ARSCOP research program (Nouvelles Approches de Reconnaissance des Sols et de Conception des Ouvrages Géotechniques, 2016). The analysis involved five different probes and three drilling techniques, revealing that membrane thickness significantly impacts measurement precision—particularly for the pressuremeter modulus and limit pressure.
This work aligns with the GaiaPress software (developed by Gaiatech), which implements advanced pressuremeter test interpretations, further validating our findings.
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References :
1. Monnet, J., Boutonnier, L., Mahmutovic, D., & Ouedraogo, M. (2022). Improved interpretation of the pressuremeter test by taking into account the deformation of the membrane. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering. DOI: 10.1080/19648189.2022.2117690
2. Monnet J. Boutonnier (2022) PROPOSITION D’UNE CORRECTION DE MEMBRANE POUR LE PRESSIOMETRE, JNGG Lyon 2022 3. MONNET, J., MAHMUTOVIC, D., BOUTONNIER, L. (2022). Correction de membrane pour le pressiomètre. *Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering*, Sydney 2022