DMT

[lovethecold]

Thanks to an earlier question, I now have heard of the flat Dilatometer Test. How many engineers use this in their day to day geotechnical work? The company I work for only does consulting work (ie, no design). Would there be sufficient reason that we would want to purchase a setup to run this test? In other words, would it provide significantly better data that others would be willing to pay for.

From what I could find doing a google search, it seems the DMT would be good for slope stability and settlement analysis. We live in an area with deep soft fat clays that are known to have slope stability problems down to as flat as 7:1. Or else we typically deal with medium to stiff glacial till (sandy lean clay).

Is there a maximum depth to which this can go? What is the maximum stiffness of soil which this is good for?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Ron]

The dilatometer is used fairly often this area. At least one of the major firms in the area used to use it routinely. It requires a fair amount of care and maintenance but the data are relatively useful. Is it better than SPT + Lab testing or CP? Probably not, but useful nonetheless.