Numerical Validation of an Elastoplastic Formulation of the Conventional Limit Pressure Measured with the Pressuremeter Test in Cohesive Soil

Abstract

An elastoplastic pressuremeter theory for cohesive soil has been used in the design of construction, such as retaining walls, slope stability, or foundation engineering. This theory takes into account the plasticity along the vertical and horizontal planes and allows for the determination of the conventional limit pressure. We compute here the conventional limit pressure using the Plaxis program to check the validity of the theoretical results. First, we present the theory used for the interpretation of the pressuremeter test in cohesive soil and its extension to the conventional limit pressure, which is defined as the pressure at the borehole wall for a volume increase