Geotechnical Soil Testing | Southern Testing

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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

Bulk & Dry 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

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 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

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

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

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.

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.

Permeability Testing
Direct Measurement
of Permeability
under Constant
Head

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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

ST Consult Midlands
Northampton

ST Consult North West

Warrington

ST Consult South West

Swindon

Tel: 01342 333100

Tel: 01604 500020

Tel: 01925 661 735

Tel: 01793 441 522

enquiries@southerntesting.co.uk

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swindon@stconsult.co.uk

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