Total Pressure Cells

Applications

Total pressure cells measure the combined pressure of effective stress and pore-water pressure. In general, pressure cells are used to verify design assumptions and to warn of soil pressures in excess of those a structure is designed to withstand. Typical applications include:

• Determining the distribution, magnitude, and directions of total stresses in an embankment or in the clay core of a dam.
• Confirm that tailings material is densifying at design rate.
• Estimate overburden pressure acting on foundation.
• Measure contact pressures in abutments and foundations.
• Measure stress fields in shotcrete.

Types of Pressure Cells

Total Pressure Cell

This general purpose cell has a thickness to diameter ratio of 1:20 which helps minimize inclusion effects. A pneumatic version of the cell is also available.

Jackout Pressure Cell

This cell is designed for installation in cast-in-place structures, such as diaphragm walls. Its name is derived from the use of a hydraulic jack that is activated to keep the cell in contact with the soil during concreting.

VW Pressure Cells for Tunnels

These cells are designed to monitor radial and tangential stress in tunnel linings. They are installed prior to shotcreting and pressurized after the shotcrete cures.

VW Stress Station

The stress station is designed for boreholes in soil or soft rock. Stress stations are available with pressure cells oriented in one, two, or three axes.