Simulation of laterally loaded foundation groups via Menard pressuremeter tests

摘要

Results obtained from the Menard pressuremeter (MPM) can be directly used in the design of geotechnical structures. Moreover, pressuremeter tests have also the potential to be used to calibrate numerical models to simulate the same structures. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to check the potentialities in back-analyzing the MPM to apply the resulting outcome in numerical simulations of horizontally loaded groups of Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles, tested in the collapsible unsaturated clay from the Geotechnical Research Site of the University of Brasilia (UnB). This particular site is well characterized and the MPM curves were obtained at distinct seasons of the year, i.e., during "dry" and "wet" regional seasons when the soil's matric suction changes. The chosen model of simulation was the Mohr-Coulomb without hardening, and analyses were performed using the software CESAR-LCPC. The exercise allowed a better understanding to simulate real case engineering foundations under lateral load.