Geotechnical Testing at i2 Analytical

Stabilisation Testing at i2 Analytical

Soil stabilisation testing is a process of treating a soil in such a manner as to maintain, alter or improve the performance ie strength and durability, of the soil as a construction material.

The use of lime stabilisation of clay in construction is over 5,000 years old. The Pyramids in Tibet were built using compacted clay and lime and in both China and India, there is a long history of using lime in various ways. In the 1950’s limited amounts of lime stabilisation was carried out in the UK but with increased usage, stabilisation is now used on many construction projects on an annual basis, from smaller shorter contracts through to massive earthworks contracts for major schemes.

Testing of stabilised materials has also adapted over time and is now an important requirement in the design process as well as the compliance and monitoring process during construction.

i2 Analytical has vast experience of testing stabilised materials. In the laboratory, classifications, chemical testing and stabilisation trials are undertaken at an early stage with the site services team engaged as the stabilisation earthworks progress, testing for contract compliance and performance requirements, including CBR testing and plate load testing.

Our UKAS accredited laboratory can carry out testing to British and European Standards including the following:

Test
Methodology
UKAS Accredited Test
Stabilised Materials
Reference Density & Water Content 2.5kg - Proctor
BS EN13286:2010
Yes
Reference Density & Water Content 2.5kg - Large Proctor
BS EN13286:2010
Yes
Reference Density & Water Content 4.5kg - Proctor
BS EN13286:2010
Yes
Reference Density & Water Content 4.5kg - Large Proctor
BS EN13286:2010
Yes
Reference Density & Water Content - Vibrating Hammer
BS EN13286:2021
Yes
CBR/Immediate Bearing Index on remoulded specimen @ NMC
BS EN13286:2021
Yes
Soaking and monitoring of Swell
BS EN13286:2021
Yes
Moistre Condition Value - MCV
BS EN13286:2003
Yes
Compressive Strength of stabilised cube specimen
BS EN13286:2003
No
Site Testing
Incremental Plate Load
BS1377:1990
Yes
In-situ California Bearing Ratio (Plate)
SHW IAN 73/06
Yes
In-situ California Bearing Ratio (Plunger)
BS1377:1990
Yes
Insitu Density by Nuclear Density Gauge
BS1377:1990
Yes
Insitu Density by Non-Nuclear Density Gauge
IHMYes
Insitu Density by Sand Replacement Method
BS1377:1990
Yes
Insitu Density by Core Cutter Method
BS1377:1990
Yes
Moisture Condition Value MCV
BS1377:1990
Yes
Moisture Condition Value MCV
Shear Strength by Hand Shear Vane
NZ Geo Society 2001
Yes
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
DMRB CD 229
Yes
Dynamic Plate Tests (LWD)
IHM
No