Specialised Field Testing

Resistivity, vane shear, permeability, compaction checks, plate load tests, and water/soil chemical analysis.

  • Electric resistivity / soil resistivity test

    An electrical resistivity test of soil measures how strongly soil resists the flow of electric current. It is a critical, non-destructive geotechnical method used to evaluate soil composition, moisture content, and compaction, mainly for designing electrical grounding systems.

  • Vane shear test

    The vane shear test is a geotechnical method used to determine the in-situ or laboratory undrained shear strength of soft to medium-stiff cohesive soils (clays and silts). It is especially useful for determining the shear strength of sensitive clays, as it measures both the undisturbed and remoulded strength to calculate sensitivity.

  • Field permeability test

    Field permeability tests determine the in-situ hydraulic conductivity of soil (how easily water flows through pores), crucial for foundation design and hydrogeological studies.

  • Field sand replacement test

    The field sand replacement test is a geotechnical method to determine the in-situ dry density of compacted soil.

  • Field core cutter test

    The field core cutter test is a standard geotechnical field method used to determine the in-situ dry density and compaction level of soft, cohesive soils (e.g., clays, silts). By driving a calibrated steel cylinder into the ground, it measures the density in place, ensuring soil layers meet construction quality standards.

  • Chemical analysis of water (ground/bore) — construction purpose

    Measuring physical and chemical parameters (e.g., NaOH, H₂SO₄, Cl, SO₄, inorganic solids, suspended matter, organic solids, pH) for construction suitability.

  • Chemical analysis of water (ground/bore) — drinking purpose

    Measuring physical and chemical parameters per drinking-water quality needs (e.g., pH, turbidity, TDS, metals, anions, hardness, residual chlorine, and other regulated parameters).

  • Chemical analysis of soil

    Measuring physical and chemical parameters in soil (e.g., pH at 1.0% suspension, Cl, SO₄, N, PO₄, Na) to support design and compliance.

  • Plate load test

    The plate load test is a field method to determine a soil’s ultimate bearing capacity and settlement behaviour under a given load. The modulus of subgrade reaction (K value) can be determined by conducting a plate load test.