Medusa
The Medusa DMT is a probe able to autonomously perform dilatometer tests, which generates and measures the pressure directly at depth. The obtained DMT readings are extremely repeatable, because the fluid is liquid (incompressible) and the pressure regulation is electronically controlled. New test procedures are possible, such as high resolution dissipation tests and horizontal pressure measurements during penetration.
Medusa DMT composition
The figure below shows the main components of the instrument. A rechargeable battery pack powers an electronic board, connected to a pressure transducer and to a custom designed motorized syringe. The firmware coded in the electronics activates the motorized syringe for generating the pressure required to obtain the DMT readings. The maximum operating pressure is 25 MPa. A high accuracy pressure transducer is used to measure the pressure generated by the syringe and operating on the membrane. An electric wire provides the contact status of the membrane to the electronic board. The A, B, C pressure readings are taken by the electronic’s firmware with the same criteria used for the traditional pneumatic DMT equipment.
Medusa DMT cableless
When the Medusa DMT is operated cableless, a programmable period (TMCP) determines when to start each measurement cycle. In the first part of the period, the A, B, C readings are taken and stored in the EPROM memory. The system will then stay in an idle state, waiting for the penetration to the next test depth. A typical period for TMCP is of 1 minute, where the measurements are taken in the first 30 seconds and the device is idle in the remaining seconds for completing the period. During these additional 30 seconds the instrumentation is advanced to the next test depth. The time origin for the synchronization (T = 0) is set with the ON/OFF switch. The USB connection enables to program test parameters, such as TMCP, and to download the data at the end of the test, when the probe is retrieved.
Medusa DMT with cable
The Medusa DMT may also operate with an electric cable running from a computer laptop at ground surface down to the probe at depth. In this configuration, the operator may activate the measurement cycle from the computer as soon as the test depth is reached. During the cycle all automation parameters, such as the battery status, the voltage and current provided to the engine, the position of the piston of the motorized syringe, the probe inclination and other additional information, are available in real time. The DMT parameters, in particular the current pressure and membrane contact status, are displayed in real time during the measurement, as for the traditional DMT pneumatic technology.
For the Medusa DMT the firmware embedded in the electronic board implements the procedure for inflating and deflating the DMT membrane. The hydraulic pressurization of the motorized syringe actuates a volume controlled expansion of the membrane, which enables to impose a programmable timing for achieving the readings. Therefore the Medusa DMT is capable to perform dilatometer tests with the recommended timing suggested in the international standards. At the same time, the highly accurate and repeatable time-for-reading facility provided by the instrument prompts for its potential use for performing dilatometer tests adopting variable pressurization rates in intermediate soils.
The motorized syringe, controlled by the electronic board, is also able to maintain the membrane in equilibrium with negligible displacements of the membrane. This capability enables to obtain continuous measurements of the total horizontal pressure of the soil against the membrane. The Medusa DMT may then be used to obtain continuous measurements of the total horizontal pressure during penetration (equivalent A-reading at T = 0 seconds instead of T = 15 seconds), thus providing useful indications for the assessment of the in-situ stress state and the at-rest lateral earth pressure coefficient (K0).
