Our modern laboratory in Doncaster is able to provide classification on a wide range of soil, rock and aggregates using the latest tools and technology available.

The Benefits of Classification Testing

Many large-scale construction projects require the correct testing of material properties by licensed professionals to meet regulatory requirements.

  • Ensuring the materials are suitable for the required uses
  • Identification of possible areas of concern
  • Adhering to quality and legal requirements
  • Keeping your project compliant
  • Reducing the risk of future financial penalties
  • Completing projects to budget and deadlines
Aggregate Classification
  • Sampling
  • Moisture/water content
  • Particle size distribution
  • Flakiness index
  • Constituents of recycled aggregates
  • Density and water absorption
  • Loose bulk density
  • Resistance to fragmentation
  • Aggregate crushing value
  • Ten percent fines value
  • Aggregate impact value
  • Magnesium sulphate
Permeability Testing in our laboratory
Concrete Classification
  • Unbound and hydraulically bound mixtures
  • Reference density and water content
  • Proctor compaction
  • Vibrating hammer
  • California bearing ratio and swelling
  • Moisture content value
  • Concrete
  • Compressive strength of concrete cores
A Lab Technician undertaking an Unconfined Compression Test
Rock Classification
  • Automated grinding for satisfying strict dimensional tolerances
  • Moisture/water content
  • Porosity and density
  • Point load index
  • Uniaxial compressive strength
  • Triaxial compressive strength
  • Swelling pressure and strain
  • Direct shear strength
  • Indirect tensile strength
  • Sound wave velocity – propagation of compressive and shear waves
  • Elastic parameters (shear and Young’s moduli, Poisson’s ratio)
  • Cerchar abrasivity
  • Slake durability and jar slaking
  • Thermal and electrical resistivity
Point Load Testing in the PSL Laboratory
Soil Classification
  • Moisture/water content
  • Particle size distribution – sieve and sedimentation analysis
  • Liquid and plastic limits (Atterberg limits) – 1 or 4 point
  • Bulk and dry density – direct and immersion
  • Particle density (previously known as specific gravity)
  • Desiccation – filter paper suction method
  • Compaction
  • Chalk crushing value
  • California bearing ratio
  • Dry density/moisture content relationship:
  • 2.5-kg and 4.5-kg rammer
  • Vibrating hammer
  • Moisture condition value – (1 point at natural moisture condition or 5-point calibration)
  • Compressibility
  • Oedometer consolidation (one-dimensional)
  • Oedometer swelling
  • Isotropic consolidation in a triaxial cell
  • Swell or collapse/soil expansivity
  • Permeability
  • Constant (or falling) head permeability
  • Triaxial permeability
  • Total stress
  • Laboratory vane and torvane – shear strength
  • Direct and residual shear strength
  • Small shear (60 mm × 60 mm) – direct shear strength
  • Large shear box (300 mm × 300 mm) – direct shear strength
  • Ring shear – residual shear strength
  • Unconfined compressive strength (38-mm to 100-mm specimens)
  • Quick undrained triaxial compression – single or multistage
  • Effective stress
  • Consolidated undrained
  • Consolidated drained
  • 38-mm to 100-mm specimens
  • With or without mid-height pore pressure measurements
    Durability
  • Erodibility by dispersion method
  • Miscellaneous
  • Redox potential
  • Thermal and electrical resistivity
Compacting soil in the PSL Laboratory