Laboratory · Soils, fills and pavement layers
Every structure and road rests on soil. Its strength, compressibility and how well a fill has been compacted decide settlement, bearing capacity and the life of a pavement. We test soils in the laboratory and directly on the compacted layers.
All fifteen tests are accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 (DPA certificate LT 069). Plate load, sand cone, DCP and vane tests are accredited on site.
15accredited tests on this page
ISO/IEC 17025DPA certificate LT 069, valid to 07.06.2029
EN · ISO · ASTMcurrent editions of the referenced standards
Lab and on siteVrrin, Durrës–Tirana motorway, km 29
When you need these tests
- Geotechnical investigations for foundations: classification, shear strength and settlement.
- Earthworks and road construction: Proctor reference, then field density and plate tests on every layer.
- Pavement design: CBR of subgrade and sub-base.
- Cement- or lime-stabilised layers: indirect tensile strength.
Accredited tests and standards
Classification
| Test | What it tells you | Range | Standard | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural water content | Moisture content, the basis of nearly every soil calculation | ≥ 0.05% | BS EN ISO 17892-1:2014+A1:2022 | Lab & on site |
| Bulk density of soil | Bulk density of soil samples | 1.1–1.8 g/cm³ | BS EN ISO 17892-2:2014 | Lab & on site |
| Particle size distribution (sieving) | Grading of soils by sieving for classification | 0.063–150 mm | ASTM D6913/D6913M-17 | Laboratory |
| Particle size – hydrometer method | Silt and clay fractions below 0.063 mm | ≤ 2 mm | BS 1377-2:2022; ASTM D7928-21e1 | Laboratory |
| Atterberg limits (liquid and plastic limits) | Plasticity of fine soils: classification and swell risk | LL 1–90%; PL 1–40%; PI 1–60% | ASTM D4318-17e1; AASHTO T89-2022; BS EN ISO 17892-12:2018+A2:2022 | Laboratory |
Compaction and bearing
| Test | What it tells you | Range | Standard | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compaction – maximum dry density and optimum moisture (Proctor) | Maximum dry density and optimum moisture: the reference for compaction control | 1.4–2.35 g/cm³ | AASHTO T 99-22; AASHTO T 180-22; ASTM D1557-12(2021); ASTM D698-12(2021); BS EN 13286-2:2010 | Laboratory |
| California Bearing Ratio (CBR) | Bearing capacity of subgrade and sub-base for pavement design | 0.1–120% | AASHTO T 193-22; ASTM D1883-21; BS EN 13286-47:2021 | Laboratory |
| In-place density – sand cone | Field density of compacted fill to check degree of compaction | 1.1–2.4 g/cm³ | ASTM D1556/D1556M-24; AASHTO T 191-14(2022) | On site |
| Static plate load test (modulus of deformation) | Deformation modulus of a fill layer under static load (Ev1/Ev2) | < 300 MN/m² | CNR B.U. 146 | On site |
| Dynamic plate load test (modulus of deformation) | Fast stiffness check of fill layers with the light falling weight (Evd) | < 150 MN/m² | TP BF-StB Part B 8.3 | On site |
| Dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) | Quick in-situ strength profile of soils and granular layers | 0.1–120% | ASTM D6951/D6951M-18 | On site |
Strength and settlement
| Test | What it tells you | Range | Standard | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct shear test | Cohesion and friction angle for foundation and slope design | 0.1–5 kN | BS EN ISO 17892-8:2018; BS EN ISO 17892-9:2018 | Laboratory |
| One-dimensional consolidation (oedometer) | Compressibility and settlement prediction of clays | settlement 0.1–10 mm | ASTM D2435/D2435M-11(2020); BS EN ISO 17892-5:2017 | Laboratory |
| Undrained shear strength of cohesive soil – portable vane | Undrained shear strength of clay, measured on site | 0.1–25 N/cm² | BS EN ISO 17892-8:2018 | On site |
| Indirect tensile strength (Brazilian test) – bound mixtures | Tensile strength of cement- or lime-bound mixtures | < 15 MPa | BS EN 13286-42:2003 | Laboratory |
Sampling and what to send us
- Disturbed samples: 20–40 kg for Proctor and CBR, sealed to keep natural moisture.
- Undisturbed samples in tubes for shear and oedometer tests, kept upright and protected.
- For field tests, tell us the layer, the required compaction and the access to the area.
What your test report contains
- A unique report number, the accredited laboratory’s details and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation mark for accredited tests.
- Sample identification, sampling details and the condition of the sample on receipt.
- The standard and method used for every test, with any deviation stated.
- Results with units, and comparison with the specified limits when you give them to us.
- Signature of the authorised laboratory staff.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between static and dynamic plate tests?
The static plate gives Ev1/Ev2 moduli under incremental load and is the reference method. The dynamic (light falling weight) plate gives Evd in a minute, so it is ideal for checking many points quickly.
Do you also do borehole drilling?
We work with drilling partners for boreholes and combine them with our laboratory tests and MASW geophysics in one geotechnical and seismic report.
Related testing
Need these tests for your project?
Tell us the material, the quantity of samples and the specification you are working to. We’ll confirm the tests, the sampling and the price.