Advantages of the DMT Marchetti Dilatometer: quick, simple and economical to operate and maintain, it contains no “black box” electronics, it is fully portable and does not require an external electrical source. Can be inserted with a variety of field equipment.

Brief history. The DMT entered in common practice in 1980. It is used now in over 40 countries. It is standardized in Eurocode 7 (1997) and in ASTM D6635 (2001). See the comprehensive, detailed and uptodate Report of the ISSMGE Committee TC16 (2001):
link:   www.marchetti-dmt.it/pdffiles/tc16_dmt2001.pdf   (41 pp)

The equipment includes 2 high strength blades, 1 dual gage control unit, 100 m cables, 20 high strength membranes, adaptors between blade and CPT rods, calibration tools, accessories, tools and spare parts, basic literature, manuals, software. 

Fields of application The DMT is particularly suitable in cases where accurate settlement predictions are important. E.g. in case of strict specifications on settlements (railways), or when the designer must opt for a shallow or a deep foundation - based on settlements. 

Other uses of DMT : modulus M, undrained strength Cu, compaction control, soil stratigraphy, locating slip surfaces in clay slopes, p-y curves for laterally loaded piles, liquefaction, OCR and Ko in clay, Coefficient of consolidation and permeability, Pavement subgrade modulus, Subgrade Kh for diaphragm walls, FEM input parameters. 

DMT is not the most convenient choice when the scope is to distinguish qualitatively soft/hard layers (penetration tests are more economical). DMT is not adequate in gravelly or rocky deposits

DMT Bibliographic website:  www.marchetti-dmt.it

Prof. Silvano Marchetti 

marchetti@flashnet.it