Lab-based Soil Stabilisation Services
Simtec's UKAS* accredited laboratories are well-equipped to provide a comprehensive range of soil testing services for even the biggest projects. The central location of the facility in the Midlands also means it is ideally placed for the rapid delivery of samples.
Ground Investigation & Procurement
Desk studies are available to
- Review the available soil data
- Assess the potential of stabilisation
- Analyse trial pit samples in the laboratory
- Establish if detrimental levels of sulphates are present
- WAC (Waste Acceptance Criteria) testing / EWC Classification
- Asbestos ID testing (including quantification)
Laboratory Trials
Laboratory trials should be conducted prior to any full-scale field trials, or the laying of material is carried out. We carry out a range of tests to assess host soil properties and offer improvement to stabilised materials following the addition of appropriate binders.
Plasticity Index (Atterberg Limits)
The soil characteristics that most affect the behaviour of placed earthworks material are the Atterberg limits which consist of a plastic limit, a liquid limit, and the calculated plasticity index. Some materials will not perform adequately in certain situations, so it’s imperative to classify the soil before use.
Reference
The relevant UKAS* accredited soil laboratory tests, and the corresponding standard numbers are:
| Test | Standard Number |
|---|---|
Relative compaction |
BS 1377-1:2016 |
Percentage air voids (Va) |
BS 1377-1:2016 |
Moisture content - oven drying method |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Liquid limit - cone penetrometer |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Liquid limit - cone penetrometer - one point |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Plastic limit |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Plasticity index |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Linear Shrinkage |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Particle density - gas jar |
BS 1377:Part 2:1990 |
Particle size distribution - wet and dry sieving |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Particle size distribution – fine grained soil – hydrometer method |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Particle size distribution – sedimentation – pipette method |
BS 1377-2:1990 |
Dry density/moisture content relationship (2.5 kg rammer) |
BS 1377-4:1990 |
Dry density/moisture content relationship (4.5 kg rammer) |
BS 1377-4:1990 |
Moisture condition value (MCV) |
BS 1377-4:1990 |
MCV - natural moisture content |
BS 1377-4:1990 |
MCV - moisture content relation |
BS 1377-4:1990 |
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) |
BS 1377:Part 4:1990 |
Measurement of swelling of soaked CBR specimen |
BS 1377:Part 4:1990 |
Undrained shear strength - triaxial compression without measurement of pore pressure - definitive method |
BS 1377:Part 7:1990 |
Undrained shear strength - triaxial compression without measurement of pore pressure - multi-stage method |
BS 1377:Part 7:1990 |
Undrained shear strength of remoulded cohesive material |
Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works, Specification for Highway Works Clause 633, February 2016 |
In-situ density - sand replacement method (small pouring cylinder) |
BS 1377-9:1990 |
In-situ density - sand replacement method (large pouring cylinder) |
BS 1377-9:1990 |
In-situ density - core cutter method |
BS 1377-9:1990 |
In-situ bulk density - nuclear method - compliance tests |
BS 1377:9:1990 |
In-situ bulk density - nuclear method - absolute tests |
BS 1377:9:1990 |
In-situ bulk density - nuclear method - comparative tests |
BS 1377:9:1990 |
Vertical deformation and strength characteristics by the incremental plate loading test |
BS 1377-9:1990 |
In-situ California Bearing Ratio (CBR) |
BS 1377-9:1990 |
Hand shear vane |
New Zealand Geotechnical Society Inc August 2001 |
Calculation of nominal CBR value using the plate bearing test |
Design Guidance for Road Pavement Foundations Interim Advice Note 73/06 |
Calculation of nominal CBR value using the Dynamic cone penetrometer test (DCP) |
Design Guidance for Road Pavement Foundations Interim Advice Note 73/06, Documented In-House Method TPSM022 |
Calculation of nominal CBR value using the Dynamic cone penetrometer test (DCP) |
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges CS229 Revision 1, Documented In-house Method TPSM022 |
In-Place Density (Unit Weight) and Water Content of Soil Using an Electromagnetic Soil Density Gauge |
ASTM D7830/D7830M – 14 |
Laboratory-based soils and earthworks classification testing
- Moisture Content
- Plasticity Index
- Frost Heave
- Large Shear Box
- Small Shear Box
- Particle Size Distribution
- Linear Shrinkage
- Organic Content
- Sulphate Content
- Moisture Condition Value
- Laboratory CBR and Swell
- Optimum Moisture Content / Maximum Dry Density
- Undrained Shear Strength
- Permeability
- Effective Stress