TEXAM Pressuremeter: Ground Engineering Problems Evaluation

The Texam is a pressuremeter used to measure in situ strength and stress-strain properties of soils and very soft rock.

Description

The Texam pre-boring pressuremeter is a reliable instrument for the evaluation of various ground engineering problems. Its used to run routine in-situ loading tests at various depths.

The probe

  • A cylindrical hollow body fitted with an inflatable sheath.

The control unit

  • A metal case that houses the main cylinder, four quick connectors and the control valve.
  • A manual actuator (screw jack) to operate the piston.
  • A digital pressure gauge.

The tubing

  • A high-pressure single conduit fitted with a shut-off quick connect to keep the probe and tubing saturated.

Test Procedure

The probe is placed at the test depth in a pre-drilled borehole obtained by a method adapted to the soil conditions: wet rotary drilling, augering, shelby tube pushing, etc. In granular soils below the water table, the probe can be driven directly within a slotted casing. The test is run either with a constant rate of deformation by using a uniform rate of rotation of the actuator, or with equal increments of pressure as for the Menard pressuremeter test.

Test Results

An in-situ stress-strain curve is obtained by plotting the injected volume against pressure. The main parameters yielded from the test readings are the Pressuremeter Modulus Ep, Creep Pressure Pf, and the Limit Pressure PL.

SPECIFICATIONS
Control unit
Working pressure 10 000 kPa (1500 psi)
Pressure  accuracy 0.05% FS
Pressure resolution 1 kPa
Volumetric resolution 0.01 cc
Dimensions L = 40 cm

W = 46 cm (including handle)

H = 45 cm

Metal case weight 30 kg
Actuator weight 28 kg
Probe
Diameter 74 mm (N Long) 44 mm (A)
Length 72 cm 59 cm
Weight  6.4 kg  4.5 kg