An earth pressure cell (EPC) is a device designed to provide an estimate of normal stress in
soil. The practice of designing and manufacturing stress-measurement devices revolves
around the study of the interaction between the measuring device and the host material.
However, distribution of normal stress is not necessarily uniform across a given surface.
Consequently, output from an EPC may be different under soil-loading conditions than
under fluid pressure. In addition, depending on the design, as the cell deflects, an arching …

In this study, researchers devised a scheme for calibration of earth pressure cells to observe
their response to various loading configurations and to recommend a procedure for field
installation. Transducers designed to provide an estimate of normal stress within a soil, earth
pressure cells have provided readings that conflict with known loading conditions. Initial
calibration tests used hydraulic oil as the pressurizing medium in both hydrostatic and
uniaxial pressure conditions, which mimic the manufacturers' procedure for pressure cell …