JELLYFISH Project

Project Scope

The project aims to advancement of knowledge on the geotechnical characterization of different soil deposits (soft clays, quick clays, intermediate soils, sands) by use of innovative in-situ testing procedures. The adopted experimental methodology is based on the use of the Medusa DMT, the ‘smart’ fully automated version of the flat dilatometer (DMT). In the Transnational Access period an extensive in-situ testing campaign with the Medusa SDMT (seismic equipment configuration) was carried out at four benchmark test sites in Norway, part of the Geo-Test Sites (NGTS) research infrastructure managed by NGI. Medusa (S)DMT tests were carried out using both ‘standard’ and innovative ‘non-standard’ testing procedures.

Innovative Aspects & Main Results

Studio Prof. Marchetti S.R.L – Italy, a SME manufacturing the Marchetti Flat Dilatometer (DMT), tested their innovative Medusa DMT in NGI’s test sites in collaboration with University of L’Aquila, University of Chieti-Pescara and NGI. The Medusa DMT is a newly developed self-contained probe, cable of operating autonomously using a standard blade without the pneumatic cable, the control unit and the gas tank required in the traditional pneumatic DMT. This innovative ground investigation equipment were tested at NGI’s soft clay, quick clay, silt and sand test sites through the support from GEOLAB’s Transnational Access project – JELLYFISh. GEOLAB contributes to bringing the innovation to practice at TRL 8-9 in this project. The outcomes of JELLYFISh contributes to advance the development of innovative soil investigation techniques which is of instrumental importance to increase design safety and resilience of European Infrastructure.

Publications from JELLYFISH:

• Monaco, P., Chiaradonna, A., Marchetti, D., Amoroso, S., L’Heureux, J-S. and Le, T.M.H. (2023). “Recent developments in soil investigation by Medusa SDMT.” Geotechnical Engineering in the Digital and Technological Innovation Era, Proc. 8th Italian Conference of Researchers in Geotechnical Engineering CNRIG 2023, Palermo, Italy, 5-7 July 2023, Ferrari A., Rosone M., Ziccarelli M. and Gottardi G. (eds), 234-241, Springer Series in Geomechanics and Geoengineering, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34761-0_29
• Monaco, P., Chiaradonna, A., Marchetti, D., Amoroso, S., L’Heureux, J-S. and Le, T.M.H. (2023). “Medusa SDMT testing at the Onsøy Geo-Test Site, Norway.” Proc. 8th International Symposium on Deformation Characteristics of Geomaterials IS-Porto 2023, Porto, Portugal, 3-6 September 2023, Viana da Fonseca A. and Ferreira C. (eds), available at https://www.issmge.org/publications/online-library
  Monaco, P., Chiaradonna, A., Marchetti, D., Amoroso, S., L’Heureux, J-S. and Le, T.M.H. (2023). “Potential of the Medusa DMT for offshore geotechnical investigation.” Innovative Geotechnologies for Energy Transition, Proc. 9th International SUT Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics Conference OSIG 2023, London, UK, 12-14 September 2023, 1889-1896.
• Conference papers in preparation to be published in 2024 (current status & deadlines)
• Monaco, P., Amoroso, S., Chiaradonna, A., Marchetti, D., Le, T.M.H. and L’Heureux, J-S. (2024). “Characterization of intermediate soils by innovative in-situ testing procedures using Medusa DMT.” XVIII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering ECSMGE 2024, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-30 August 2024. Paper submitted 30 November 2023, under review.
• Monaco, P., Chiaradonna, A., Marchetti, D., Amoroso, S., L’Heureux, J-S. and Le, T.M.H. (2024). “The JELLYFISh Project: Medusa SDMT testing at NGTS Geo-Test sites, Norway.” 7th International Conference on Geotechnical and Geophysical Site Characterization ISC’7, Barcelona, Spain, 18-21 June 2024. Paper due 15 February 2024, under preparation.
• Journal
• Monaco, P., Chiaradonna, A., Marchetti, D., Amoroso, S., Le, T.M.H. and L’Heureux, J-S. 2024 «Soil characterization using Medusa SDMT at NGTS Geo-Test sites, Norway” – Geotechnique (under preparation)