Stress distributions and paths in clays during pressuremeter tests

This paper presents a novel analysis for the interpretation of pressuremete r tests in clay. No prior knowledge of the constitutive properties of the m aterial is required. Shear, radial, and tangential stresses are determined at various distances from the probe and for different levels of cavity stra in. Total and effective stress paths followed by material elements within t he deformed soil are represented on shear stress - normal stress diagrams. The analysis is applied to the interpretation of pressuremeter tests carrie d out in both the field and the laboratory.