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PROBEXe Borehole Dilatometer

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RUGGED AND SAFE
VERY HIGH CAPACITY
REAL TIME PLOTTING OF TEST RESULTS
MAY BE USED IN DEEP BOREHOLES

The PROBEXe rock pressuremeter or dilatometer is a radially expandable borehole probe used to determine in situ the deformability of rock mass and the creep properties of very soft rock.

 

Description

The dilatometer test is a loading test run inside a borehole with a radially expandable cylindrical probe. It is used to determine in situ the deformability of rock mass and the creep properties of very soft rock. The PROBEXe determines the deformations by measuring the total volume change of the probe. This method is the same well-proven method used with the pressuremeter. It provides a mean modulus value of a large volume of rock, contrary to the use of callipered probes which can be affected by local heterogeneities. The volume changes of the probe are measured by monitoring the displacement of a piston. This configuration eliminates the parasitic expansion of the tubing and pumping system. The PROBEXe is a versatile equipment that posses characteristics of a rock pressuremeter and of a flexible dilatometer.

The PROBEXe consists of:

  • An inflatable membrane mounted on a steel core
  • A hydraulic module comprising a dual piston and cylinder

assembly, to inflate and deflate the membrane

  • A measuring module containing a linear transducer, which monitors the injected volume
  • The hydraulic and electrical lead lines
  • A hydraulic hand pump and pressure gauge
  • A pressure transducer
  • A readout unit consisting of the DP Box unit operated with an Android tablet. This versatile readout is compatible with other pressuremeters manufactured by Roctest. A special application, installed on the tablet, allows configuring the tests and calibrations, to read and plot the test results in real-time, to log the data, and to review test results.

Test & Interpretation

The leads are threaded inside a B-size casing or NQ rods that are used to lower the probe to test depth. The tests are stress controlled. Increments of pressure are applied in stages using the hand pump. The probe compressibility and inertia are previously determined by running  calibrations. The hybrid nature of the PROBEXe allows to use it according to testing sequences and interpretation methods associated to pressuremeters or flexible dilatometers. However, the results obtained in very hard rock with this equipment should be used with precautions. The method used to reduce the data is the same one used for pressuremeter data. It is based on Lame’s equations and yields a mean modulus of deformation for the rock mass tested. A tool (ProbexCompanion) developed by Roctest can be used for determining this modulus.

 

 

Specifications
PROBE 
Maximum pressure30 000 kPa
Diameter 
   Minimum (deflated)73.7 mm
   Maximum (inflated)85.5 mm
Effective length457 mm
Probe upper threadsBW Casing box + NQ rod adapter
READOUT – DP BOX 
FunctionVolume and pressure indicator
User interfaceBluetooth communication with an Android tablet
Resolution 
  Diametrical change0.001 mm (0.01 cc)
  Pressure0.25 % F.S.
Logging capacityTypically over 10 000 data sets (tablet-dependent)
Power supply interfaceUniversal AC wall plug with US/Euro adapter + adapter cable for car (lighter) and for external battery
Operating temperature-20 to +70 deg. C
Autonomy> 8 hours
Battery2 x 12 V 2.3 A, rechargeable
CaseWaterproof, shock resistant ABS plastic
Dimensions25 x 28 x 12 cm (l x w x h)
Ordering Info

Please specify:

  • Cable / Tubing length (50, 100, 150 or 200 m)
  • Optional accessories

Optional Accessories:

  • Membranes
  • NQ or BW to AW rod slotted adapter
  • Cable & tubing extension

 

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