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)
Aggregates Testing on site

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.

Soil testing in the lab

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.

Soil Plasticity Test

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