01The tests we schedule.
Classification
- Moisture content.
- Atterberg limits: liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index, which show how a clay behaves.
- Particle size distribution, by sieving and sedimentation.
Strength and settlement
- Triaxial and shear box tests, for soil strength.
- Oedometer tests, for consolidation and settlement.
- Compaction and CBR, for earthworks and pavement design.
Chemical
- Sulfate and pH, to choose a concrete mix that will resist the ground.
Soil tests are increasingly carried out to the BS EN ISO 17892 series, with BS 1377 still used for some tests.
02Why your ground gets tested.
Clay and trees. Plasticity tells the engineer how much a clay will shrink and swell. NHBC classes clay volume change potential by its modified plasticity index, and where it is not known, high must be assumed. Near trees, that sets how deep foundations must go, so testing can save you from over-deep foundations.
Concrete in the ground. Sulfate and pH tests, assessed using BRE Special Digest 1, tell the engineer which concrete to specify so the foundations are not attacked by chemicals in the ground.
03Testing you can rely on.
NHBC says laboratories should be accredited for the relevant tests by bodies such as UKAS, and MCERTS for chemical testing of soils. Accreditation is test-specific, and we will confirm the laboratory and its accreditation for your tests with your quote.
04Questions we get asked.
Why do you need to test my clay?
Plasticity tells the engineer how much the clay will shrink and swell. Near trees, that sets how deep the foundations need to go.
What is the sulfate test for?
It tells the engineer which concrete mix to specify, so the foundations are not attacked by chemicals in the ground.
Can you test samples I already have?
Get in touch with the details of the samples and the tests you need and we will let you know.
