A new protocol for measuring small strains with a pressuremeter probe: Development, design, and initial testing

Soil characterization plays a key role in the construction of various civil engineering infrastructures. For purpose developing geotechnical design model, it is essential first to describe behavior natural soil masses before proceeding calculation structure. The use numerical modeling for solving soil-structure interaction problems crucial prerequisite; these can be solved properly just by measurement small-strain stiffness and degradation curve soils. To meet needs, present paper starts introducing concept new pressuremeter probe equipped with Hall Effect sensor that provides reliable small strain measurements mechanical properties main steps allowed validating results obtained from previous tests physical model are presented second part. This approach allows drawing shear modulus; this would useful practice engineering, particularly better understanding nonlinear soils subjected dynamic or seismic loads.