Laboratory Testing Services at Empire Geotechnique

At Empire Geotechnique, we know that understanding the properties of your construction materials is critical to building strong, safe, and successful projects. Our in-house lab is equipped to perform a vast variety of tests that will give you the detailed information you need to move forward with confidence.

Laboratory Testing: What We Offer

Let's explore the range of tests and analyses we offer. Whether you're working on a small-scale residential project or a mammoth infrastructure undertaking, our in-house lab at Empire Geotechnique has got you covered!

Sieve Analysis: Ever wondered what makes up the soil beneath your feet? Sieve analysis is a fundamental test that breaks soil or aggregate into different-size fractions so we can understand its granulometry. We conduct both dry sieve and wet sieve analyses to get the complete picture, ensuring your materials meet the required specifications and standards.
Hydrometer Analysis: When particles get super fine, sieves just don't cut it. That's where hydrometer analysis comes in. By using the principles of sedimentation, we determine the grain size distribution of finer particles in soil. This helps in identifying soil properties that affect compaction, permeability, and other essential factors.
Atterberg Limits: Understanding the behavior of fine-grained soils is crucial, and that's exactly what Atterberg limits tell us. We measure the liquid limit, plastic limit, and shrinkage limit to classify the soil and understand its consistency and plasticity. This data is vital in assessing soil stability and predicting how it will behave under different conditions.
Specific Gravity: Specific gravity tests measure the relative density of various soil particles or aggregates. Essentially, it tells you how heavy the particles are compared to water. This information is fundamental in understanding the weight and stability of the material used in your projects.
Bulk & Dry Density, Water Content: Our bulk and dry density tests, along with water content measurements, are essential for assessing the compactness of soil. These tests provide insight into the soil's supporting capacity and the moisture level, which can significantly affect the behavior of the foundation and the overall structure.
Chemical Tests: Understanding the chemical properties of soil—such as pH, sulfates, and chlorides—is vital for the long-term performance of foundations. Acidic or alkaline soil can corrode underground metal pipes and foundations, compromising structural integrity. High sulfate concentrations can cause sulfate attack on concrete, leading to expansion, cracking, and deterioration. Additionally, high chloride levels in construction materials can corrode and weaken reinforced concrete, posing significant risks to the durability and safety of the project.
Direct Shear Test: If you want to know the shear strength of the soil, the direct shear test is your go-to. By applying a horizontal force to a soil sample, we determine how much shear stress it can withstand before failure. This test is essential for designing stable foundations and retaining walls.
Triaxial Shear Test: Triaxial shear tests are like the gold standard for understanding soil strength. They provide comprehensive insights into the soil's mechanical properties under various stress conditions. This data is invaluable for designing safe and efficient structures that withstand different loads and environmental conditions.
California Bearing Ratio (CBR): The California Bearing Ratio test measures the strength of soil subgrades and base courses. It's crucial for road construction and pavement design. By pushing a piston into the soil or aggregate at a controlled rate, we determine its resistance strength, ensuring your structure can handle traffic loads.
Proctor Compaction Test: Understanding soil compaction characteristics is essential for any construction project. The Proctor Compaction Test involves compacting soil samples at various moisture levels to determine the optimal moisture content for achieving maximum soil density. This ensures you achieve the best possible compaction for support and stability in your project.
Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS): The Unconfined Compressive Strength test measures the maximum load a soil / rock sample can withstand without lateral confinement. This is essential for understanding the load-bearing capacity of rock cores / cohesive soils and is vital for foundation design and stability assessments.
Point Load Index: The Point Load Index test determines the strength of rock materials. It's a quick, cost-effective method to estimate the compressive strength of rock, which is essential for projects involving rock excavation, tunneling, or foundation construction on rocky terrain.