---
title: "Pressuremeter test features"
subject: "Foundation Engineering"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/foundation_engineering:pressuremeter-distinctive"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/foundation_engineering/pressuremeter-distinctive
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Pressuremeter test features

Foundation Engineering · Chapter 2: Soil Exploration

- Asked in: 2076 Asoj, 2 marks
- Video: [Video 9  Pressuremeter test](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1_nD7XkW0k) — Romana Mariyam Rasheed
- Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5 on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/foundation_engineering/pressuremeter-distinctive
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/foundation_engineering/chapter-2

## Question

What makes pressure meter testing quite distinctive as compared to other field tests?

## Short answer

It loads the soil horizontally and measures a true in‑situ stress–strain curve, giving modulus, limit pressure, and creep pressure directly. This provides a rational design method for bearing capacity and settlement (Menard’s method), applicable in all soils and weak rock with little disturbance.

## Answer

The pressuremeter (Menard) test inflates a cylindrical probe inside a borehole and measures the radial pressure against the volume change. It is distinctive because:
- It loads the soil **horizontally** and in a large volume, giving a true in-situ stress-strain curve (not just a single index like SPT $N$).
- It gives the **modulus** ($E_p$), **limit pressure** ($p_l$) and yield (creep) pressure directly, which are used in a design method for bearing capacity and settlement (Menard's method).
- It can be used at any depth, in all soils from soft clay to weak rock, with little disturbance when the probe is placed in a pre-bored or self-boring hole.
- The test is done under controlled stress/strain increments, so the result is rational and repeatable, unlike the dynamic, empirical tests.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. The pressuremeter is distinctive because it
   A. loads the soil horizontally over a large volume to give a stress-strain curve
   B. drops a hammer vertically
   C. gives only a blow count
   D. rotates a vane
   Answer: A. It inflates a probe radially in the borehole. (Key point: Loading direction)

2. The pressuremeter gives directly
   A. only N value
   B. modulus Ep, limit pressure pl and yield pressure
   C. only water content
   D. only grain size
   Answer: B. Used in Menard's design method. (Key point: Parameters)

3. Compared with SPT, pressuremeter results are
   A. more empirical and dynamic
   B. only for sand
   C. rational and repeatable because stress or strain is controlled
   D. unusable for design
   Answer: C. SPT is dynamic and empirical. (Key point: Rationality)

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