Experience with seismic dilatometer (SDMT) in various soil types

The seismic dilatometer (SDMT) is the combination of the standard flat dilatometer (DMT) with a seismic module for measuring the shear wave velocity Vs. This paper summarizes the experience gained from a large number of SDMT tests performed in 2004–2007 at over 30 sites. In particular the paper presents an overview of the SDMT equipment, comparisons of Vs measured by SDMT and by other methods and a selection of SDMT results and related comments. The paper also illustrates the major issues of present research on use and applications of the SDMT, mostly focused on the development of methods for deriving the in situ G-γ decay curves and for evaluating the liquefaction resistance of sands based on SDMT results.