Abstract

Intensive pressuremeter testing at two sites in lower Lias clays, together with laboratory testing has enabled general conclusions to be drawn about strength-stress compatibility in heavily overconsolidated materials. Three limit states of effective horizontal stress are described which demarcate in situ test results into four distinct ranges relating to the stress history of the material. These may be used to validate pressuremeter measurements. The in situ test results for the two sites are related to the regional geomorphology and the results of conventional geological logging.