geotechnical soil testing _ southern testing

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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.

Classification Testing

Natural Moisture

Content

BS1377-2:3 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

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.

Particle Density BS1377-2:8 Used for the determination of porosity and voids ratio. Frequently used in road

construction in the determination of the state of compaction of f ill materials.

Bulk & Dry Density BS1377-2:7 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.

Saturation Moisture

Content of Chalk

BS1377-2:3.3 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.

PSD Grading by Wet

& Dry Sieve

Methods

BS1377-2:9.2 &

9.3

Particle size expresses the size of the particles comprising a soil in terms of

percentages by weight of individual sizes. This analysis is used for classification of

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 &

9.3

Used in conjunction with a sieve analysis to determine the silt and clay content of a

soil. Used in the classification of soil and assessment of their mechanical properties.

Chemical Testing

pH value BS1377-3:9.5 A measure of the acidity/alkalinity of soil and groundwater. Concrete that is subject to

highly mobile acid (low pH) water can deteriorate rapidly. This is assessed for

concrete design.

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 sett lement 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.

Pre Planning

Investigation

Ground

Investigation

Laboratory

Testing

Geotechnical Soil

Testing

Aggregates and

Earthworks Testing

Construction

Materials Testing

Concrete Testing

Contamination

Testing

WAC Testing

Geotechnical

Consultancy

Environmental

Consultancy

Contracting

Services

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Performance Testing

Dry Density Moisture

Content Relationship

(compaction)

BS1377-4:3 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 Primarily used as a rapid test to determine the moisture suitability of earthwork

materials at the construction phase. Calibration lines are usually determined through

a range of moisture contents in the laboratory. The MCV is used to quantify the

compactive effort to produce near full compaction and can be correlated with shear

strength and CBR value.

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 In the oedometer swelling potential can be assessed

Shear Testing

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.

Triaxial Testing

Quick Undrained

Triaxial

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.

Effective Stress Testing

Isotropically

Consolidated

Undrained Test

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.

Permeability Testing

Direct Measurement

of Permeability

under Constant

Head

BS1377-5 & 6 Measures the coefficient of permeability usually in cohesive soils in the Triaxial

apparatus. This is frequently used in the assessment of permeability in compacted

soils in landfill and road construction.


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Rock Testing

Measurement of

Uniaxial

Compressive

Strength

ISRM Part 1

1980

The rock/soil strength is determined from a uniaxial compressive strength on a

cylindrical specimen. Often used to assess the strength of rock for foundation design.

The strength can also be used on the stability of rock slopes and underground

openings. It should be noted that this strength only refers to the solid parts of a rock

mass.

Point Load ISRM 1985 Where uniaxial strengths cannot be directly measured the point load tests offers a

possible alternative method of assessment.

The above tables do not list all available tests.

Please contact our laboratory manager to discuss your site investigation testing requirements.

Southern Testing Head Office

East Grinstead

Tel: 01342 333100

[email protected]

ST Consult Midlands

Northampton

Tel: 01604 500020

[email protected]

ST Consult North West

Warrington

Tel: 01925 661 735

[email protected]

ST Consult South West

Swindon

Tel: 01793 441 522

[email protected]

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geotechnical soil testing _ southern testing

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