PRODUCT NO. 421.

0000

STEP BY STEP
PROCESS DESCRIPTION

PREPARED FOR
HORIZON ENGINEERING INC

This equipment should be installed, maintained, and operated by technically qualified personnel.
Any errors or omissions in data, or the interpretation of data, are not the responsibility of Boart
Long year Interfels GmbH. The information herein is subject to change without notification

Boart Long year Interfels GmbH Tel: +49-5922-9898-0

Oeilmannstr. 5 Fax: +49-5922-9898-98
0-48455 Bad Bentheim Interfels@boartlangyear -eu .cam
BOART

LONG YEAR
A PARTNERSHIPFOR PROGRESS
 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 1

CONTENTS

1 Purpose of measurement 2

2 Definition of moduli 2

3 General description of the equipment.. 5

3.1 Dilatometer probe 6

3.2 Defomlation and pressure measuring unit ...,. 7

3.3 Pressure measuring unit 8

3.4 Power pack .,.., 9

4 Execution of a borehole deformation measuremenL , ..10

4.1 Conditions of the borehole 10

4.2 Preparation of the borehole 11

4.3 Checking the dilatometer probe

4.4 Installation with steel rope and aluminium rods for orientation 12

5 Replacement of the rubber sleeve 15

 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 2

The dilatometer is used for measuring in-situ the deformability and for determining the elastic material
constants of rocks or of stiff soils in a conventional borehole.

The range of deformation moduli and Young's moduli measurable by the dilatometer extends from
about 5 MPa to about 25 GPa (50 bars to 250000 bars).

When compared with plate jacking tests, the dilatometer test offers several advantages:

Reduced cost and increased operational facility enabling to perform several tests at various depths
in a borehole.
Testing of the ground in a state as close as possible to natural mechanical and hydraulic
conditions.
.Possibilityof using high pressures (up to about 8- 10 MPa i.e. 80- 100 bars).

.Possibility of determining the anisotropy of the ground formation.

2 Definition of moduli

The dilatometer measures the boring diameter variations in three equally spaced directions. Thus for
each test three curves like that in Figure 1 are obtained. Each curve corresponds to one of the
measuring directions.

For each test with the dilatometer, it is possible to calculate

-The values of the modulus of deformation corresponding to each one of the measurement directions
(i.e. 3 values).

-For any given loading cycle, the values of the modulus of elasticity {Young's Moduli) corresponding
to each one of the measurement directions {i.e. 3 values).

Afterwards, it is possible to either use the averages of the series of 3 values or by means of the values
themselves to study the anisotropy of the material in which the test has been carried out.
 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 3

Figure 1 illustrates the above definitions:

(0
a.
~

Q)

:J
(/)
(/)
Q)

0.

starting
pressure

borehole widening [mm]

Fig. 1: To the definition of Moduli:

First-Loading Modulus
Reloading Modulus
Deformation Modulus

Unloading {Young's Modulus)

Calculation of moduli
Calculation of the moduli is accomplished by use of the LAME tube formula:
E = (1 + v) Ap .Do I AD

in which:
E = YOUNG's Modulus

v = POISSON's ratio of the tested material

!J. P = Pressure increase (Pi -Po).

Do = Diameter of the borehole for pressure Po

!J. D = Change of the borehole diameter D in connection with a rise of the dilatometer pressure P

from Po to PI
 Manual Dilatometer Equipmel1it 4

The dilatometer does not allow determination of the POISSON's ratio v. Thus, use should be made of
the values resulting from other tests (for instance laboratory tests). Alternatively, one may use
estimated values which generally proves quite sufficient.
The value of the POISSON's ratio for rocks is usually between 0.15 and 0.25 and thus in absence of
other information it is recommended to adopt a value of 0.25. For sand, an average of 0.33 may be
used, and for stiff to very stiff clays a value of 0,40.
 Manual Dllatometer Equipment 5

The equipment comprises:

dilatometer probe
sludge barrel
100 m high pressure tube
100 m electrical cable
aluminium orientation rods (30 m)
readout for the deformation sensors
pressure measuring unit (pneumatic control unit)
nitrogen pressure bottle (not component of our delivery)

Fig. 2: Dilatometer Equipment

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3.1 Dilatometer plrobe

The 96 mm dilatometer probe is cylindrical and is made up of a

steel body covered with a reinforced rubber sheath, called
"sleeve".
At each end of the probE~,the sleeve is secured to the steel
body via anchoring pieces which provide watertightness and
mechanical linkage.
Three deformation sensors (LVDTs) are housed in the central
part of the unit, enabling measurements of the change in
diameter of up to 25 mm. The three sensors are oriented by
120 to each other. The~, are spaced at 75 mm distance along
the cylindrical dilatometE~rprobe.
The signals of the defon11ation sensors are transmitted via an
electric cable to the readout box outside the borehole.
To inflate the sleeve, a pressure has to be exerted from
outside the borehole via the special tubing to the dilatometer
probe. The inflation pres;sure is exerted by compressed

nitrogen.

Figure 3 gives a schematic illustration of a dilatometer probe

The deformation sensors are numbered as follows'

Fig. 3: Simplified section of the

dilatometer probe IF 096

1 Reinforced rubber sleeve

2 Displacement transducers
3 Pressure line
4 Electric cable plug
5 Protection tube with connection
for string or setting rods
6 Hook for drilling rig rope
7 Connection dilatometer
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-ilil Manual Dilatometer Equipment

3.2 Deformation and pressure measuring unit

The deformation measuring unit is composed of a main power supply unit, three digital displays for
the deformation sensors and one digital display for the pressure.

1 Display for the deformation sensor 1 (upper sensor)

2 Display for the deformation sensor 2 (middle sensor)

3 Display for the deformation sensor 3 (lower sensor)

4 Display for the pressure (bar)

5 Battery test

6 Data hold switch

7 On/Off switch

8 Main circuit connection (230V)

9 Connection to 12 Volt external battery

10 Connection to dilatometer probe (probe)

11 Connection to Notebook (RS 232)

FRONT

BACK
 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 8

3.3 Pressure measuring unit

The pressure measuring unit is also mounted in a portable box.

It is composed of:

1 Pressure inlet
2 Pressure out/et to probe
3 16 bar pressure gage
4 160 bar pressure gage
5 Volume regulator
6 Relief valve
7 Lock valve 16 bar
 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 9

3.4 Power pack

The power pack is used for the power supply of the outdoor Rocky Notebook.
It is composed of:

1 Main Power supply 230 V AC

2 Connection to computer 12 VDC
3 Control lamps for charging
 Manual Dilatometer Equipment

4.1 Conditions of the borehole

1. Principally, a diamond-drilled borehole is necessary for the test. In a highly-fractured ground with
potentially unstable borehole walls use of a wireline system such as the SK 6 L is strongly
recommended. The borehole for the dilatometer test is then drilled as a pilot hole from the bottom of
the SK 6 L hole (ref. to Points 1.2 and 1.4). In this particular ca~;e the outer SK 6 L drill string can be
used as a protective tube and can be left in the ground during drilling of the pilot hole and during
testing. Notice that the outer protective tubing must be smooth on its inner side and that the core bit
must be flush with the inner diameter of the tubing.

2. The drill cores of each borehole must be laid down in core b<>xesand properly marked. The core
boxes must be accessible for inspection prior to each test.

3. The borehole diameter of the test section should be best 101 mm, but not smaller than 96 mm.
Particular care must be taken to avoid any substantial overbreak of the pilot hole (e.g. due to undue
flushing or eccentricity of the drilling string). Pilot holes which are oversized by more than about 5 mm
might lead to the situation that the measuring range of the three displacement transducers, which are
built in the dilatometer probe, are already exceeded at commencement of the test.

4. The length of the pilot hole depends on the number and type of tests to be carried out and also on
the quality of the rock to be tested.
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=~ Manual Dilatometer Equipmel1lt 11

5. The borehole must be stable right down to the test section. In unstable boreholes protective tubings
are essential (ref. to Point 1.1 ). If the dilatometer probe becomes jammed due to insufficient borehole
protection the Contractor will become liable for the loSSof the instrument.

4.2 Preparation of the borehole

First of all investigation drilling (the best 0 146 mm) has to conducted close to the area due to be
examinated. This borehole has to be secured by tubing 0 146 mm). If the investigation is executed as
the wireline core drilling (for ex. SK6L), the drill rod can be used as tubing.

A pilot borehole (0 101 mm) has to be drilled from the bottom of the investigation bore hole. The pilot
hole should have a depth of minimum 2 m and maximum 3 m. The dilatometer tests are performed in
the pilot borehole.

4.3 Checking the dilatometer probe

Before performing of a measurement or a series of measurements the dilatometer probe has to be

checked with respect to gas tightness.

The calibration of the deformation transducers can be executed only at detached sleeve (s.o. page

14).

Before conducting a measurement or a series of measuremenh~ the dilatometer probe has to be

checked on the surface.
The probe is connected to the measuring instruments and to th,e pressure reduction valve on the
nitrogen bottle by means of the measuring cable resp. the high pressure pneumatic tube. The display
should show negative values of --4.000 to -7.000 mm
Then the probe should be inflated to a pressure between 1.5 and 2. 0 bar which is required to
overcome the inherent resistance of the sleeve. Please take into account that the expansion of the
inflated sleeve is not limited if the probe is inflated on the surfa(~e.which may lead to damage at higher

pressures.
 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 12

Now the data display of the measuring device must go to positive values.

After reducing the pressure to 0 bar the sleeve deflates and returns to its initial position thus
compressing the transducers. The displays should now show negative values of --4.000 to -7.000 mm.

4.4 Installation with steel rope and aluminium rc)ds for orientation

The flexible pressure tube and the electric cable will be threaded through the sludge barrel and
connected to the probe. Then the sludge barrel will be fastened to the top of the probe with two
hexagon socket screws M10. The probe is hooked to the tow rclpe of the drilling rig at the stirrup on
top of the sludge barrel and raised above the borehole. Care has to be taken to avoid kinking of the
electrical cable and the high pressure pneumatic tube. NormallJf the probe is introduced into the
borehole with a steel rope of the drill rig and additional aluminium rods (20 x 20 mm, 3 m lenght) for
orientated placement.
The measuring cable and the pressure tube must be fixed eve~'13 m at the steel rope resp. Aluminium
rods to avoid damages of the during raising. Adhesive tape can be used for fixation of the measuring
cable and the pressure tube in shallow boreholes (depths < 100 m). In case of deep boreholes rope
clamps have to be used for fixing the heavy weight of the cable and the tube on the steel cable.

The pilot borehole should have a suitable depth, not too deep in order to save time and drilling costs
but deep enough to enable a selection of suitable test areas. The upper part of the sludge barrel
should still penetrate the tubing, as demonstrated by figure 4.
 Manual Dilatometer Equipmerlt 13

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Fig. 4: Borehole installation of the dilatometer probe

A pilot borehole depth of 3 m has proved to be favourable, allowing a longer borehole section to be
explored by using the probe and then determine the final test location. This procedure is
recommended since the rubber sleeve may be damaged or destroyed even at low pressures in case
of occurrences of sharp edges in the borehole wall (due to breakout or in case of alternated
stratification of hard and soft rock layers. The latter case is very critical if not discovered by the
exploration with the probe. Therefore it is indispensable to gain an impression of the borehole
geometry (open rock joints, fractures, excessive excavation etc) and the physical properties of the rock

mass by inspection of the drill cores.

 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 14

After a suitable test location has been selected and the probe h.3s been positioned the test procedure
is initiated by applying an appropriate pressure to the probe thui; inflating the sleeve and exerting a
small compression to the borehole side wall. For the evaluation of the initial testing pressure the water
pressure in the borehole has to be taken into account.
Now the pressure has to be increased stepwise where by in ea(~hload step the pressure has to be
kept at a constant level until a deformation velocity of less then 0.02 mm/min is evaluated.
All measuring results have to be plotted as a function of time. Tlhis is facilitated through fixing the
deformation value on the display of the deformation measuring device by pushing the key "data hold",
Usually several load cycles are performed during the dilatometer test. Then the minimum unloading
pressure should not be less then the initial testing pressure in order to prevent slipping of the probe.
The maximum load should not exceed 80 bar.
 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 15

5c ~

Attention: Each time a rubber sleeve is replaced calibration of the three deformation transducers will
be necessary.

Assembly instructions
1. Place the probe with the lower part in a pipe vice (page 4)
2. Six hexagon screws are mounted at the rubber sleeve where the deformation transducers are
located. Remove the screws.
3. Unscrew the head piece (use chain wrenches 12" with extension). Detach the connector and
remove the vent pipe. Push the cable back into the probe body.
4. Dismantle upper chucking collet
For unscrewing place one chain wrench on the chucking nut and the second one on the clamping
sleeve next to the rubber sleeve (don't place the chain wrench on the ring above the chucking nut!)
5. Remove the chucking ring by applying light hammer strokes via a brass stick about 20 cm long and
20 mm in diameter.
6. Straddle the groove of the chucking collet with a screwdriver and remove it. The sides of the
screwdriver blade should he sharpen (as depicted) to prevent slip of the screwdriver.
7. Take off the spacer ring
Do not exchange the pieces from the upper and lower chucking collet.
8. Dismantle the foot piece.
Therefore the head piece must be remounted and fastened by screwing. Then the probe is turned
around and the head piece chucked in the vice. Unscrew the foot piece.
9. Remove the lower chucking collet. Precede as described under point 3. to 6.
10. Remove the rubber sleeve
If this is not possible then carefully make a cut with a steel saw in the area of the upper and lower
chucking collet. The probe body must not be damaged.
11. Clean all pieces carefully with silicon oil.
12. Take the deformation transducers out of their guidance. Clean the probe body from dirt and water
by using compressed air. Clean the transducers and push the cores into the coils several times to
assure that no water is trapped in the transducers.
13. Lubricate the deformation transducers with a little bit of grease and check easy working. Then
reintroduce the transducers into their guidance.
 Manual Dilatometer Equipmel1lt 16

I
14. Calibrate the deformation transducers
Plug the connector into the head piece. Connect the probe to the measuring unit. Place the
calibration unit with the 15 mm gauge to the deformation transducers as shown in Fig. 5. Read and
I note the display. Then place the calibration unit with the 0 mm gauge to the transducers.
The difference of the displayed values should be +15:!: 0.01 mm.
I

Fig. 5: Calibration of the transducers

This calibration procedure has to be executed for all of the three transducers. The orientation of the
transducers must be the same as shown in the Fig. The broader diameter of the transducer must

be in upwards direction.

Please contact INTERFELS Bad Bentheim (0049-5922-98980) if the values of one of the

transducers are not corresponding.

15. Coat the probe corpus with silicon oil

16. Coat the inside of the new sleeve with silicon oil
17. Push the rubber sleeve over the probe body from the lower to the upper end. Thereby push the
transducers together and introduce them one by one into their seat.
18. Adjust the rubber sleeve to fit the location of the perforatiorls in the sleeve with the position of the

deformation transducers.
19. Slip the lower spacer ring over the foot piece of the rubber sleeve. Mount the lower clamping
sleeve by straddling with the screw-driver and greasing with a high-quality grease.
 Manual Dilatometer Equipment 17

20. Slip over the chucking ring ,

I 21. Lubricate the chucking nut with grease. Put the conical chucking nut on with care in order to
prevent damage. Screw it tight and prevent unscrewing by using a second chain wrench. If the gap

of the chucking collet is larger then 0.5 mm disassemble the chucking nut and chucking ring once

ore and wrap it with one or two layers of adhesive tape. Then reassemble the chucking ring .

Attention: Prevent twisting of the rubber sleeve!

If the sleeve has been twisted by screwing the nut, the transducers and the stops are out of line

thus causing loss of measuring precision or even of the damage of the transducers.

22. Mount the upper anchoring piece

23. Fix the hexagon socket screws.
The hexagon socket screws inserted in the rubber sleeve are used as measuring stops for the

deformation transducers. The task of the measuring stops is to precisely transmit the expansion of

the rubber sleeve to the transducers.

24. Remount the head piece.

Unscrew the vent pipe and twist the cable in anti-clock wise direction, introduce it into the head

piece and screw the head slowly. The number of turns is equal to the number of thread.

25. Make a first check of the dilatometer probe as described in chapter 4.3.