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You are here: Home > Services > Laboratory Testing > Geotechnical Soil Testing
Pre Planning
Investigation
Ground
Investigation
Our in-house laboratories are equipped to provide comprehensive geotechnical soil testing services which meet the appropriate
British and European Standards. Soil testing more commonly undertaken by Southern Testing Laboratories is used for
classification of materials. These tests include Moisture content, Atterberg Limits (PI's), Bulk Density, Dry Density, Particle Size
Distribution (PSD or Grading Analysis), Particle Density (Small pyknometer and Gas jar), as well as Sulphate Content and
Triaxial Tests, but wide range of geotechnical soil testing is available.
Laboratory
Testing
Geotechnical Soil
Testing
Aggregates and
Classification Testing
Earthworks Testing
The mechanical properties of a soil often depend on their moisture content and the
test is used in assessment of soil profiles, strength, desiccation etc
Construction
Materials Testing
Natural Moisture
Content
BS1377-2:3
Plasticity Index
(Atterberg)
BS1377-2:4 & 5 The properties of cohesive soils are strongly influenced by the mineralogy of the
clays. These tests along with moisture content are used for classification and to
assess mechanical properties and are used for Earthworks Materials, NHBC Volume
Change potential, desiccation etc.
Contamination
Testing
BS1377-2:8
Geotechnical
Concrete Testing
Particle Density
Saturation Moisture
Content of Chalk
BS1377-2:7
BS1377-2:3.3
Used for the determination of porosity and voids ratio. Frequently used in road
construction in the determination of the state of compaction of fill materials.
The density of soils depends on the density of the solid particles, on the porosity and
the moisture content. The dry density is used in the evaluation of porosity and voids
ratio. It is frequently used in road construction for the determination of the state of
compaction of fill material.
Establishes the state of saturation of a soil to determine the extent the pores are
filled with water. The presence of free air or gases in a soil influences the mechanical
properties of the soil. It is most commonly used for chalk materials.
WAC Testing
Consultancy
Environmental
Consultancy
Contracting
Services
Request a Callback
PSD Grading by Wet BS1377-2:9.2 & Particle size expresses the size of the particles comprising a soil in terms of
& Dry Sieve
9.3
percentages by weight of individual sizes. This analysis is used for classification of
Methods
sands and gravels and coarser particles. This can be related to the mechanical
properties of the material e.g. suitability as a fill material, permeability etc.
PSD by Pipette
Method
(sedimentation)
BS1377-2:9.2 & Used in conjunction with a sieve analysis to determine the silt and clay content of a
9.3
soil. Used in the classification of soil and assessment of their mechanical properties.
Chemical Testing
pH value
BS1377-3:9.5
Sulphate Content
BS1377-3:5
A measure of the sulphate content of soil and groundwater. These sulphates can
attack concrete leading to its deterioration. This is assessed for concrete design.
Organic Content
BS1377-3:3 & 4 Derived from the decomposition of plant, animal and bacterial life. The organic
material shows high water absorption and strongly influence mechanical properties
especially strength and settlement behaviour.
Chloride Content
BS1377-3:7 &
BRE CP 2/79
This test measures chloride content of soil and water. Only very high concentrations
affect unreinforced concrete but could attack steel at lower concentrations.
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Performance Testing
Dry Density Moisture BS1377-4:3
Content Relationship
(compaction)
This test measures the dry density of the compacted soil in relationship to moisture
content depending on the manner of the compaction effort. Compaction influences
the shear strength and compressibility of the soil and is frequently used in earthworks
and road construction.
Moisture Condition
Value (MCV)
BS1377-4:5
Laboratory
Californian Bearing
Ratio (CBR)
BS1377-4:7
Used for the evaluation of sub-grade strength in road design. The test measures the
load required to cause a plunger to penetrate a specimen of soil. Although an
arbitrary test it is an indirect measure of strength
Consolidation Testing
One Dimensional
Consolidation
(oedometer)
BS1377-5:3
The rate and degree of settlement from a proposed structure is estimated from this
small scale laboratory test. A soil sample is compressed within a metal mould
sandwiched between porous plates. A change in thickness is measured at different
loads.
Swelling Pressure
BS1377-5:4
Immediate
Undrained Shearbox
BS1377-7:4
Undrained estimates of the shear strength of soils can be measured under different
normal stresses. In the shear box failure is caused in a predetermined plane of the
soil. True immediate tests cannot be made in material not fully saturated or in more
permeable soils.
Consolidated
Drained Shearbox
BS1377-7:4
The soils in the shear box are allowed to consolidate under a vertical load and then
sheared slowly. The results are usually used in assessment of slope stability and
retaining wall design.
Laboratory Vane
BS1377-7:3
The torque required to cause shearing of soil from twin blades fixed at right angles.
The test allows the measurement of shear strength for foundation design and road
pavements. They can assist in stability of earthworks.
BS1377-7:8
A soil sample is subjected to three stresses at right angles with the vertical stress
increased until the specimen fails. The test results are used for the design of
conventional and piled foundations but can also be used in short term stability of
slopes and underground openings.
Shear Testing
Triaxial Testing
Quick Undrained
Triaxial
BS1377-8:7
An effective strength test where the sample is consolidated to a mean effective stress
and the undrained strength and pore water pressure is measure. In an undrained test
the volume remains constant. Stability of slopes and design of retaining structures.
Isotropically
Consolidated
Drained Test
BS1377-8:8
This test is for the long term condition of the above test. This is usually carried out in
sands and free draining materials. In the drained test the pore pressure remains
constant but the volume may change. Stability of slopes and design of retaining
structures.
BS1377-5 & 6
Permeability Testing
Direct Measurement
of Permeability
under Constant
Head
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Rock Testing
Measurement of
Uniaxial
Compressive
Strength
ISRM Part 1
1980
Point Load
ISRM 1985
Where uniaxial strengths cannot be directly measured the point load tests offers a
possible alternative method of assessment.
ST Consult Midlands
Northampton
enquiries@southerntesting.co.uk
creaton@stconsult.co.uk
warrington@stconsult.co.uk
swindon@stconsult.co.uk
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