Material Characterisation – Testing based on tunnel profile and/or geology surrounding a proposed tunnel. Testing at depths that relate to the tunnel profile (e.g. above, top, middle, bottom and below the tunnel’s central axis) can be used to determine if the material is behaving in a drained or undrained manner.

Optimising Pile Design - A significant portion of the focus of our testing in recent years has been orientated around optimising pile design. As buildings get taller and the ground beneath them becomes “busier” with tunnels and services, the criteria for designing and building becomes more important. Our pressuremeter testing can provide high confidence stiffness and strength parameters.

Calibrating SPT N-Values - An example of a common use of our data in a design context, is calibrating the standard penetration test technique. A great many people accept this technique (SPT) lacks the finer detail required for some modern projects, but as a very established, fast, and cost-effective technique it is widely used. As something of a combined technique, the results from SPTs may be viewed and compared alongside pressuremeter testing data.

Undrained Strength (Cu) - is commonly significantly greater when measured by a pressuremeter than when interpreted by lab testing and SPTs. The below graph shows a dataset of Cu values measured by a Reaming Pressuremeter, with corresponding SPT interpreted Cu values, with increasing depth in London Clay.