A Clay Calibration Chamber for Testing Field Devices

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes the design of a calibration chamber suitable for the preparation of uniform clay beds in which the performance of full-size field test devices may be studied. Details are given of the clay bed preparation procedure by which clay slurry is initially consolidated under K0 conditions and then further conso using equal or unequal horizontal and vertical stresses. Field equipment may be tested in the clay bed, which is maintained under known horizontal and vertical boundary stresses during the test. Self-boring pressuremeter tests have been successfully carried out in the clay bed.