BEZERRA, S. P.; BEZERRA, Sosthemar Pedrosa.
Abstract:
This paper presents a comparative study of the application of the 5PT, of the plate load test, and of the pressuremeter test on shallow foundations projects in sandy soils, aiming at showing the possibility of alternative usage of the BRIAUD pressuremeter test as a substitute to both the plate load test and the 5PT, and their advantages. The experimental field is a silty-sand subsoil situated on the urban área of Campina Grande, Paraíba, where we carry out SPT soundings , plate load tests supported on the surface, plate load tests in depth - with vertical and horizontal loads - and pressuremeter tests in vertical and horizontal holes, besides the verification of the natural unit weight and the natural water
content, ali of them in a profile of 1.90 meters deep. Following, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the experiments done and we get to know that the pressuremeter
technique - throug the BRIAUD pressuremeter - offer many advantages concerning plate load tests; and, in addition, that the 5PT should not, in isolation, be applied to estimate the
ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations. At the end, we conclude that the results reached give us proof of reasons to believe of the possibility of application of the BRIAUD pressuremeter in determining the bearing capacity of shallow foundations in sandy soils.