Short Courses

Short Course 2: Geotechnical Site Characterization by Marchetti Flat Dilatometer
                                  by Dr. Silvano Marchetti & the Instructor Team

The Subject and Course
Because of its simplicity, ruggedness, reproducible and less operator-dependable test results, the Marchetti Flat Dilatometer (DMT) is becoming a popular tool for in situ soil testing.  In this one day short course, the DMT technology is presented in a consistent, coherent, and practical framework.  Subjects to be covered include:

• Hardware, Working Principle, Procedure, Standards, Maintenance, Field equipment for running the test on land and offshore, testable soils.
  　

• Applications of the test results in the profession : Soil parameters, Settlement calculations and assessment of their accuracy by comparisons between observed and DMT- predicted settlements, K_h behind diaphragm walls from M_DMT, Moduli before-after compaction, Moduli in road subgrades, Laterally loaded piles, Detecting slip surfaces in slopes.
  　

• Seismic Dilatometer:  Measurement of the shear wave velocity V_s, Combining the “low-strain” shear modulus G_o with the “working strain” modulus M_DMT -  both provided by SDMT -  to help selecting the G - g degradation curves.
  　

•  Liquefaction resistance evaluated by SDMT in two independent ways: from V_s and from K_d.  Sensitivity of K_d to aging, Importance of accounting for aging.
  　

• Data reduction, presentation of results, diagrams, seismograms, Auto-Report generation.
  　

• Troubleshooting, Quality controls, FAQ. Case-histories presented by invited experts.
  　

• All participants will have the opportunity of executing a few measurements being assisted by an instructor.

"TThe pparticipants will receive documents and course notes.  These include organized copies of the course presentation materials and supplemental readings to provide further details.

The Instruction Team
The instruction will be headed by the inventor of the DMT, Dr. Silvano Marchetti, and assisted by Paola Monaco, Gianfranco Totani, Diego Marchetti of the Soil Mechanics Group of L’Aquila University.  The Group has over 30 years of experience in DMT developments and testing.