Use of Medusa DMT in alluvial silty sediments of the Po river valley

This paper illustrates the results of flat dilatometer (DMT) and piezocone (CPTU) tests carried out to characterize the behavior of alluvial silty sediments of the Po river valley (Italy). Several tests were executed by use of the new Medusa DMT equipment, a self-contained cableless probe able to autonomously perform dilatometer tests using a blade of standard dimensions. The pressurization is applied using a hydraulic motorized syringe, which enables volume control during membrane expansion and permits to regulate accurately the timing to obtain the A and B pressure readings. Non-standard innovative testing procedures were applied in the intermediate soils. In particular, the Medusa DMT tests were executed adopting variable penetration rates combined with variable pressurization rates. The results illustrated in the paper support the potential of this approach for characterizing the in-situ behavior of intermediate soils.