Stress distributions and paths in clays during pressuremeter tests

This paper presents a novel analysis for the interpretation of pressuremeter tests in clay. No prior knowledge of the constitutive properties of the material is required. Shear, radial, and tangential stresses are determined at various distances from the probe and for different levels of cavity strain. Total and effective stress paths followed by material elements within the deformed soil are represented on shear stress – normal stress diagrams. The analysis is applied to the interpretation of pressuremeter tests carried out in both the field and the laboratory.