This document is applicable to the borehole shear test using the phicometer procedure, commonly

named the phicometer test (etymologically derived from phi for friction angle, co for cohesion and

meter for measurement).




The test can be performed in all types of natural soils, fills and artificial soils, which can be saturated

or not.




It does not apply to very soft fine soils, very loose coarse soils, medium strong to very strong rocks

and natural or artificial soils with a predominance of cobbles having a particle diameter greater than

150 mm.




Generally, the test is applicable in soils with an order of magnitude of their in situ resistance

characteristics as follows:




— Ménard pressuremeter limit pressure: 0,4 MPa < plM < 3,5 MPa approximately or more than 4 MPa

in granular non-cohesive soils;

— CPT Cone resistance: 1,5 MPa