SEISMIC DILATOMETER (SDMT)

SETTLEMENTS, LIQUEFIABILITY, Parameters M and Cu,

Vs Shear Wave Velocity, G-Gamma Curves

FLAT DILATOMETER (DMT)

SEISMIC DILATOMETER (SDMT)

Choice G-gamma curve

Repeatibility
RESULTS of Vs 1-2%

Obtained Parameters
FLAT DILATOMETER (DMT)
DMT determines in a quick, precise, simple and
economical way various important parameters used in
geotechnical design. The results are highly repeatable
and independent from the operator.
The blade is advanced in the soil by pushing the rods
with penetrometers or drill rigs, or a variety of field
machines. In this way boreholes and sample
disturbance are avoided. The measurements are carried
out directly on the in situ soil.
The results are immediately available in a report format,
containing graphs and tabular outputs.
The DMT is used in 50 countries. It is standardized in
the ASTM (USA) norms and in the Eurocode.
The equipment and test procedure are described in detail
in the Report ISSMGE Committee TC16 (2001),
downloadable from the website.
APPLICATIONS
- Settlements prediction
- Operative modulus M
- Undrained shear strength Cu
- Soil Type (sand, silt, clay)
- Compaction control
- Detection of slip surfaces in slopes
- P-y curves for laterally loaded piles
- Liquefaction potential
- Coefficient of consolidation and permeability (clays)
- phi in sands
- OCR and Ko in clays
- Subgrade reaction modulus for diaphragm walls
- Choice of Input parameters for Plaxis
- Subgrade reaction modulus for pavements
Settlement predictions
The DMT provides estimates of operative moduli and
settlements of superior accuracy, initially documented
by Schmertmann 1986, Lacasse 1986, Sallfors 1988,
Leonards 1988, Hayes 1990, subsequently by a summary
of numerous case histories by Monaco et al. “DMT-
predicted vs observed settlements” in the Proceedings of
“Washington DMT 2006” Conference.
The superior accuracy of the DMT settlement prediction
is due to the lower distortions caused by the blade
penetration compared with the distortions caused by
conical tips, to the fact that the modulus Mdmt is derived
by a “miniload test” rather than by the penetrometric
resistance at rupture, to the availability of the “Stress
History Index” Kd, strongly related to OCR. Thanks to
Kd, estimating the moduli, notoriously highly
dependent from stress history, is univocal, avoiding
arbitrary factors as in the case of penetrometric tests.
EUROCODE 7 ASTM- Standard
Part 2 (2007) D6635 (2007)
www.marchetti-dmt.it tel +39 06-303 11 240 – +39 06-303 60 107
SEISMIC DILATOMETER (SDMT)
SDMT is the combination of the standard Flat
Dilatometer (DMT) with a seismic module. Such module
is a probe outfitted with two sensors, spaced 0.5 m, for
measuring the shear wave velocity Vs. From Vs one can
determine the small strain shear modulus Go.
APPLICATIONS of SDMT
The modern norms increasingly require seismic
analysis, for which the basic parameter is Vs. SDMT
provides profiles of Vs in a quick, precise, simple
and economical way. Repeatability of Vs 1-2 %.
For complete seismic analysis it is necessary, besides Vs
(or Go obtainable from Vs), the complete G-Gamma
decay curve. At the moment SDMT is the only in situ
test, besides the self boring pressuremeter, providing the
low strain Go and the working strain M, hence two
points in the G-Gamma curve. The availability of two
points helps in the choice of the proper G-Gamma curve,
unlike tests determing only Go.
SDMT provides, besides Vs, all the information obtained
by the traditional DMT.
Liquefaction potential. SDMT provides at each depth
two independent estimates of the liquefaction
resistance, one derived from Vs, the other from Kd. Kd
is sensitive to factors almost unfelt by other tests, in
particular aging, a factor that may increase the
liquefaction resistance even by 60% in loose sands (see
Leon et al. Jnl ASCE GGE March 2006, evaluating the
seismic risk under existing nuclear reactors in South
Carolina).
Seismic codes. According to Eurocode 8 all new
contructions should be preceded by an analysis of the
local seismic response, requiring Vs from ground surface
to 30 m depth.
Use of SDMT. Used worldwide, often in important
projects, among others the Barriers for protecting Venice
(Italy), Barcelona harbour and airport, the New Shuttle
Cralwerway at Nasa Cape Kennedy, the San Andreas
Fault area in California, Marina Pez Vela project in
Quepos Costa Rica, big Power Plants, high speed
Railways and Metro, in various Harbours Nearshore,
numerous research projects by Universities etc..
References.
-TC16 (2001) "The DMT in Soil Investigations", A
Report by the ISSMGE Committee TC16, 41 pp.
-Washington DMT 2006. 2nd International Conference
on the Flat Dilatometer (DMT). 50 papers describing
experiences worldwide – see website.
-Seismic Dilatometer. Additional information at website.
ISSMGE – TC16
Report (2001)
WAYS OF INSERTING THE BLADE
Pushed by truck Pushed by a drill rig Driven by a drill rig

Pushed from Driven or pushed by a

a fixed platform Driven by SPT Tripod static/dynamic penetrometer

“TORPEDO” INSERTION METHOD

Torpedo
L≈3m
 DISTORTIONS IN CLAY Need to
CONE WEDGE
detect
slip surfaces ?
Distortions caused by penetration of cones and wedges in real clay.
Baligh & Scott (Nov. 1975) "Quasi-Static Deep Penetration in Clay",Jnl. ASCE Geot.Eng.Div. quie active: Kd=2
scen
t: K
d =2
SETTLEMENTS
SPT predicted Settlements DMT predicted Settlements
Burland and
Schmertmann (1986) Kd = 2 active/quiescent slip surface
predicted (mm)

Burbridge (1985)
predicted (mm)

and Hayes (1988)

Formation of Kd = 2 (NC) zones Z Kd by DMT

(m)
1. SLIDING 2. REMOULDING

sands sands

measured (mm) measured (mm)

Bullock & Failmezger (Porto 2004)

3. RECONSOLIDATION 4. INSPECT Kd PROFILE
Higher accuracy of DMT believed due to: (NC STATE)

1. DMT contains information on Stress History

2. Wedge shaped tips deform less than conical tips
3. Modulus obtained by loading the soil (mini-load
test) is more closely related to Modulus than
Penetration Resistance Kd = 2 denotes NC clay

LIQUEFACTION by NO JACKUP
SEISMIC DILATOMETER
Two independent CRR evaluations
BARGE
CRR from VsSDMT Waves
0.5 m
Andrus and Stokoe 2000

Light earthquakes Shear Wave

Source
Telescopic
guide tube
CRR from Kd DMT

Monaco 2005 - 30 m

Strong earthquakes

Ref. Monaco (2007) "Evaluating Liquefaction Potential by

Seismic Dilatometer (SDMT) accounting for Aging/Stress
History" 4th Int. Conf. Earthquake Geotechn. Eng. - Thessaloniki
SDMT
www.marchetti-dmt.it
 Which soil investigation Seismic
should I use? Dilatometer
REFERENCE: State-of-the-art Lecture No. 1
Geomaterial Behavior and Testing, 17th Int. Conf. Soil
Mechanics and Geot. Engng, 2009, Alexandria, Egypt
Mayne P.W. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA
Coop M.R. Imperial College, London, UK
Springman S.M. Swiss Federal Inst. of Technology, Zurich, CH
Huang A.B. National Chiao Tung Univ., Taiwan, China
Zornberg J.G. University of Texas, Austin, USA

“Soil borings … laboratory testing … SPT …

pressuremeter (PMT) … vane (VST) … crosshole
(CHT) … Taken together, all of these are suitable …
yet at considerable cost in time and money …”

“... In this fast-paced world, … SCPT and SDMT

should serve as the basis … in routine daily site
investigation practices …”

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