ISO/FDIS 22476-4

Geotechnical investigation and testing -- Field testing

Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques -- Essais en place

General Information

• Status: Published
• ICS: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 182 - Geotechnics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 182/WG 8 - Borehole expansion tests
• Current Stage: 5020 - FDIS ballot initiated: 2 months. Proof sent to secretariat
• Start Date: 19-May-2021
• Completion Date: 19-May-2021

RELATIONS

• Revised: ISO 22476-4:2012 - Geotechnical investigation and testing -- Field testing
• Effective Date: 07-Apr-2018

Standards Content (sample)

FINAL
INTERNATIONAL ISO/FDIS
DRAFT
STANDARD 22476-4
ISO/TC 182
Geotechnical investigation and
Secretariat: BSI
testing — Field testing —
Voting begins on:
2021-05-19
Part 4:
Voting terminates on:
Prebored pressuremeter test by
2021-07-14
Ménard procedure
Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques — Essais en place —
Partie 4: Essai au pressiomètre Ménard
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO
SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION
OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH
THEY ARE AWARE AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING
DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
Reference number
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES,
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON
OCCASION HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE
LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL TO BECOME STAN-
DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS. ISO 2021
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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2021

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may

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on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address

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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
Contents Page

Foreword ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................vi

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Normative references ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Terms, definitions and symbols ............................................................................................................................................................ 1

3.1 Terms and definitions ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1

3.2 Symbols ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

4 Equipment ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.1 General description ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6

4.2 Pressuremeter probe ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.2 Probe with flexible cover .......................................................................................................................................... 8

4.2.3 Probe with flexible cover and an additional more rigid protection ..................................... 8

4.2.4 Probe with flexible cover and slotted tube................................................................................................ 9

4.3 Connecting lines and injected fluid ....................................................................................................................................10

4.4 Pressure and volume control unit .......................................................................................................................................11

4.4.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................11

4.4.2 Measurement and control .....................................................................................................................................11

4.4.3 Data logger .........................................................................................................................................................................12

5 Test procedure .....................................................................................................................................................................................................12

5.1 Assembling the parts ......................................................................................................................................................................12

5.2 Calibration and corrections ......................................................................................................................................................13

5.3 Pressuremeter test pocket and probe placing ..........................................................................................................13

5.4 Preparation for testing ..................................................................................................................................................................13

5.5 Establishing the loading programme ...............................................................................................................................14

5.6 Establishing the pressure of the guard cells for tri-cell probes .................................................................15

5.7 Expansion .................................................................................................................................................................................................15

5.7.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................15

5.7.2 Readings and recordings ........................................................................................................................................15

5.7.3 End of test ...........................................................................................................................................................................16

5.8 Back-filling of the pockets ..........................................................................................................................................................16

5.9 Safety requirements ........................................................................................................................................................................16

6 Test results ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................16

6.1 Data sheet and field print-out or display ......................................................................................................................16

6.1.1 Data sheet for type A control unit ..................................................................................................................16

6.1.2 Site print-out for type B and C control units .........................................................................................17

6.1.3 Raw pressuremeter curve .....................................................................................................................................17

6.2 Corrected pressuremeter curve ............................................................................................................................................17

6.3 Calculated results...............................................................................................................................................................................18

7 Reporting ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................19

7.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................................................19

7.2 Field report .............................................................................................................................................................................................19

7.3 Test report ................................................................................................................................................................................................19

7.3.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................19

7.3.2 Ménard pressuremeter test report ...............................................................................................................19

7.3.3 Pressuremeter tests log ..........................................................................................................................................20

Annex A (normative) Geometrical features of pressuremeter probes ..........................................................................22

Annex B (normative) Calibration and corrections ..............................................................................................................................24

Annex C (normative) Placing the pressuremeter probe in the ground .........................................................................33

Annex D (normative) Obtaining pressuremeter parameters ..................................................................................................41

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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)

Annex E (normative) Uncertainties ....................................................................................................................................................................51

Annex F (informative) Pressuremeter test records ...........................................................................................................................53

Bibliography .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................60

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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards

bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out

through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical

committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International

organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.

ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of

electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are

described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the

different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the

editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of

patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of

any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or

on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not

constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and

expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the

World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/

iso/ foreword .html.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 182, Geotechnics, in collaboration with

the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 341, Geotechnical

Investigation and Testing, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and

CEN (Vienna Agreement).

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 22476-4:2012), which has been

technically revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— types of probes;
— correction procedures;
— probe placing techniques in Annex C;
— clarification of D;
— harmonization of terms and symbols.
A list of all parts in the ISO 22476 series can be found on the ISO website.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A

complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
© ISO 2021 – All rights reserved v
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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
Introduction

The Ménard pressuremeter test is performed by the radial expansion of a cylindrical probe of a

minimum slenderness of 6, placed in the ground (see Figure 1). During the injection of the fluid volume

in the probe, the inflation of the measuring cell first brings the outer cover of the probe into contact

with the pocket wall and then producing ground displacement. Pressure applied to and the associated

radial expansion of the probe are measured either by volume or radial transducers and recorded so as

to obtain the stress-strain relationship of ground as tested.
Key
1 ground surface p applied pressure
2 ground A-A axial section
3 pressuremeter test pocket B-B cross section
4 expanding pressuremeter probe
Figure 1 — Principle of a Ménard pressuremeter test

Together with results of investigations with ISO 22475-1 being available or at least with identification and

description of the ground according to ISO 14688-1 and ISO 14689 obtained during the pressuremeter

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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)

test operations, the tests are performed in order to obtain the quantitative determination of a ground

profile, including
— the Ménard pressuremeter modulus E ,
— the Ménard pressuremeter limit pressure p , and
— the Ménard creep pressure p .

NOTE 1 This document fulfils the requirement for the Ménard pressuremeter test, as part of geotechnical

investigation and testing according to EN 1997-1 and EN 1997-2.

NOTE 2 This document refers to a probe historically described as the “60 mm (also called BX) G type probe”,

that corresponds to a 58 mm diameter probe with a drilling diameter between 60 mm and 66 mm with a pressure

limitation of 5 MPa. If specified by the relevant authority or agreed for a specific project by the relevant parties, a

different pressure, not higher than 8 MPa, can be set.

NOTE 3 G type probe refers to probes with an external cover creating guard cells (see 4.2).

NOTE 4 Ménard pressuremeter tests can be carried out with other diameter probes such as 32 mm, 44 mm and

76 mm probes.

NOTE 5 Examples of other probe and pocket drilling dimensions are indicated in Table 1.

Table 1 — Probe and pocket drilling dimensions
Probe Probe Drilling diameter
(mm)
Designation Diameter Min Max
AX 44 46 52
NX 70/74 74 80
NOTE 6 Tests with maximum pressures higher than 8 MPa are dealt by ISO 22476-5.

NOTE 7 For the scope of this document (and the associated measuring device and maximum uncertainties

given in Table E.1), E values up to 500 MPa (that can be determined by calculation) can be commonly obtained.

Enhancement of equipment to reduce uncertainties can be implemented to increase the range of measurements.

For example, use of GA type equipment and of a shunt for volume measurement can allow measuring E values

up to 10 000 MPa. Uncertainty calculation can be used to confirm the relevance of these pressuremeter moduli.

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FINAL DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
Geotechnical investigation and testing — Field testing —
Part 4:
Prebored pressuremeter test by Ménard procedure
1 Scope

This document specifies equipment requirements, the execution of and reporting on the Ménard

pressuremeter test.

This document describes the procedure for conducting a Ménard pressuremeter test in natural grounds,

treated or untreated fills, either on land or off-shore.

The pressuremeter tests results of this document are suited to a quantitative determination of ground

strength and deformation parameters. They can yield lithological information in conjunction with

measuring while drilling performed when creating the hole (according to ISO 22476-15). They can also

be combined with direct investigation (e.g. sampling according to ISO 22475-1) or compared with other

in situ tests (see EN 1997-2).
2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 14688-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Identification and classification of soil — Part 1:

Identification and description

ISO 14689, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Identification, description and classification of rock

ISO 22475-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing – Sampling by drilling and excavation and ground

water measurements – Part 1: Technical principles for execution

ISO 22476-15, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Field testing — Part 15: Measuring while drilling

3 Terms, definitions and symbols
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply:

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1.1
pressuremeter probe

cylindrical flexible probe which can be expanded by the application of hydraulic pressure and/or

pressurised gas
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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
3.1.2
pressuremeter control unit

set of suitable devices capable of supplying fluid and/or gas pressure to the probe, to adjust pressure

steps and take readings of the probe’s pressure and the volume or radius of the measuring cell

3.1.3
connecting line

cable that connects the control unit to the probe, delivers fluid and/or gas pressure in the measuring

and guard cells
3.1.4
pressuremeter test pocket

circular cylindrical cavity formed in the ground to receive a pressuremeter probe (3.1.1)

Note 1 to entry: See Annex C.
3.1.5
pressuremeter borehole

borehole in which pressuremeter test pockets (3.1.4) with circular cross sections are made in the ground,

and into which the pressuremeter probe (3.1.1) is to be placed
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
3.1.6
Ménard pressuremeter test

process during which a pressuremeter probe (3.1.1) is inflated in the pressuremeter test pocket (3.1.4) and

the resulting pocket expansion is measured as a function of time and pressure increments according to

a defined programme
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 4.
3.1.7
pressuremeter sounding

sequence of Ménard pressuremeter tests (3.1.6) executed from the same station in the pressuremeter

borehole (3.1.5)
3.1.8
pressure reading

pressure as read at the control unit (CU) elevation in the fluid and/or gas circuit supplying the

measuring cell
3.1.9
pressure loss

difference between the pressure inside the probe and the pressure applied to the pressuremeter test

pocket (3.1.4) wall
3.1.10
volume loss

volume readings on the control unit while probe is kept at constant external diameter

Note 1 to entry: They are due to system compressibility (including membrane, probe, tubing, fluid and control

unit).
3.1.11
raw pressuremeter curve

graphical plot of the injected volumes recorded at time 60 s, noted V , versus the applied pressure at

each pressure step, p
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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
3.1.12
corrected pressuremeter curve

graphical plot of the corrected volumes V or radial displacements versus the corrected pressure p

Note 1 to entry: See Figure 5.
3.1.13
pressuremeter creep

difference in volumes recorded at 60 s and at 30 s at each pressure step: V – V = V

60 30 60/30
3.1.14
corrected pressuremeter creep curve

graphical plot of the corrected Ménard creep versus the corrected applied pressure at each pressure

step
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 5.
3.1.15
pressuremeter log

graphical report of the results of the pressuremeter sounding (3.1.7), together with all the information

gathered during the drilling
Note 1 to entry: See F.3.
3.1.16
Ménard pressuremeter modulus

modulus obtained from the section between (p V ) and (p V ) of the pressuremeter curve

1, 2 2, 2
Note 1 to entry: See Figure D.6.
3.1.17
Ménard pressuremeter limit pressure

pressure at which the volume of the pressuremeter test pocket (3.1.4) at the depth of the measuring cell

has doubled its original volume
Note 1 to entry: See Figure D.5.
3.1.18
pressuremeter creep pressure

pressure defined as the intersection of two straight lines fitted on the creep curve

Note 1 to entry: See Figure D.4.
3.1.19
operator
person who carries out the test
3.1.20
casing

lengths of tubing inserted into a borehole to prevent the hole caving in or to prevent the loss of flushing

medium to the surrounding formation, above pocket location
3.2 Symbols
For the purposes of this document, the symbols in Table 2 apply:
Table 2 — Symbols
Symbol Description Unit
3 3
A, B Parameters for reciprocal curve fitting method cm , cm /MPa
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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
Table 2 (continued)
Symbol Description Unit
A to A Parameters for hyperbolic curve fitting methods variable
1 6
a Apparatus volume loss coefficient cm /MPa
Parameters of power law type interpolation for the probe pressure loss correc-
b, c variable
tion

d, e Parameters of linear type interpolation for the probe volume loss correction variable

Outside diameter of the central measuring cell, including any additional protec-
d mm
tion such as a slotted tube
d Outside diameter of the inner part of the probe with slotted tube mm
d Outside diameter of the guard cells mm

d Inside diameter of the calibration cylinder used for the volume loss calibration mm

Outside diameter of the central measuring cell during expansion as read on the
d cm
CU, before data correction
d Drilling tool diameter mm
E Ménard pressuremeter modulus MPa
K Factor to determine the differential pressure for tri-cell probes -
Length of the central measuring cell of the probe, when the cell membrane is
l mm
fixed on the probe steel core
l Length of each guard cell mm
l Length along the tube axis of the slotted section of the slotted tube mm
l Length of the calibration cylinder used for the volume loss calibration mm
l Length of the cover mm

m Parameter of power law type interpolation for the probe pressure loss correction -

m Minimum value, strictly positive, of the m slopes cm /MPa
E i
Slope of the corrected pressuremeter curve between the two points with coordi-
m cm /MPa
nates (p , V ) and (p , V )
i-1 i-1 i i
p Pressure applied to the ground after correction MPa
p Fluid or gas pressure in the measuring cell of the pressuremeter probe. MPa
p Correction for probe pressure loss MPa
p Pressure at the origin of the segment exhibiting the slope m MPa
E E
p' Pressure at the end of the segment exhibiting the slope m MPa
E E
p Ultimate pressure loss of the probe MPa
p Pressuremeter creep pressure MPa
p Pressure in the guard cells, read at the CU transducer elevation -
Hydrostatic pressure between the control unit indicator and the central measur-
p MPa
ing cell of the pressuremeter probe
p Pressuremeter corrected pressure MPa
p Ménard pressuremeter limit pressure of the ground MPa
Ménard pressuremeter limit pressure as extrapolated by the double hyperbolic
p MPa
lMDH
method

p Ménard pressuremeter limit pressure as extrapolated by the hyperbolic method MPa

lMH
Ménard pressuremeter limit pressure as extrapolated by the reciprocal curve
p MPa
lMR
method

p Pressure loss of the central measuring cell membrane for a specific expansion MPa

Pressure in the measuring cell fluid or gas circuit, read at the CU transducer
p MPa
elevation
p Target pressure for each pressure step according to loading program MPa
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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
Table 2 (continued)
Symbol Description Unit
p Pressuremeter horizontal at rest pressure MPa

p Corrected pressure at the origin of the pressuremeter modulus pressure range MPa

p Corrected pressure at the end of the pressuremeter modulus pressure range MPa
t Time s
t Time the loading pressure level is held s
u Pore water pressure in the ground at the depth of the test MPa
Value, after zeroing and data correction, of the volume injected in the central
V cm
measuring cell and measured 60 s after starting a pressure step

Original volume of the central measuring cell, including the slotted tube, if appli-

V cm
cable

Value, after data correction, of the volume injected in the central measuring cell

V cm
for pressure p

Value, after data correction, of the volume injected in the central measuring cell

V’ cm
for pressure p’
V Correction for volume loss of the whole equipment
V Corrected volume cm

Value, after data correction, of the volume injected in the central measuring cell

V cm
when the original volume of the pressuremeter cavity has doubled
V The average corrected volume between V and V cm
m 1 2

Volume corresponding is the intercept on the volume axis of the straight line best

V fitting the data points on the p-V curve obtained in the volume loss calibration cm

test (see Figure B.2)
V Volume injected in the probe as read on the CU, before data correction cm
V Volume of the central measuring cell including the slotted tube cm
V Corrected volume at the origin of the pressuremeter modulus pressure range cm
V Corrected volume at the end of the pressuremeter modulus pressure range cm

Volume injected in the central measuring cell as read 30 s after the beginning of

V cm
the pressure step

Volume injected in the central measuring cell as read 60 s after the beginning of

V cm
the pressure step
Injected volume change from 30 s to 60 s after reaching the pressure step, also
V cm
60/30
called pressuremeter creep
V 60 s injected volume change between two successive pressure steps cm
60/60
z Elevation, positively counted above datum m
Elevation of the pressure measuring device for the fluid and/or gas injected in
z m
the probe

z Elevation of the ground surface at the location of the pressuremeter sounding m

z Elevation of the measuring cell centre during testing m
Elevation of the ground water table (or free water surface in a marine or river
z m
environment)
β Coefficient used to determine the pressuremeter modulus pressure range ---
γ Unit weight of ground at the time of testing kN/m
γ Unit weight of the liquid injected in the central measuring cell kN/m
γ Unit weight of water kN/m
Δp Loading pressure increment MPa
Δp Initial pressure increment MPa
r Radius of the measuring cell for transducer i m
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ISO/FDIS 22476-4:2021(E)
Table 2 (continued)
Symbol Description Unit
Δt Duration to achieve pressure step i s
...