Solmek provide an extensive range of solutions to geotechnical problems.
Solmek provide an extensive range of solutions to geotechnical problems as part of Phase 2 Site Investigation work and going further phase 3 remediation, phase 4 validation. Drawing from experience in site investigation work throughout the UK, from smaller residential to large scale industrial developments, our staff can analyse the physical properties of soils and rock to recommend appropriate cost effect solutions
What Geotechnical Services in North East do we provide?
- Foundation design – Determining the most suitable and economic foundation options based on the ground conditions and testing results. Calculating bearing capacities of soil and giving recommendations to the type, size and depth of foundation required.
- Road and pavement design – Indicating the percentage California Bearing Ratio (CBR) for proposed hardstanding areas. The percentage can be used to determine the depth of sub grade required for roads, parking areas and pavements.
- Insitu soil and rock testing – Standard Penetration Tests (SPT), Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Tests (DCP) and Hand Shear Vanes are undertaken within the boreholes to give an accurate indication of the strength/density of the ground to obtain foundation design parameters.
- Laboratory soils and rock testing – A range of in-house laboratory tests including strength, shrinkability, pH, water soluble sulphate, CBR and particle size distribution to aid accurate interpretation of ground conditions.
- Soakaway testing – Insitu permeability testing within trial pits and boreholes to determine the use of natural soakaways in proposed developments. Water companies are increasingly enforcing soakaway drainage over piped drainage systems.
- CBR plate loading tests – Accurate insitu testing within trial pits to quickly determine the CBR values. Versatile equipment allows access to all types of site terrain. Used to aid design of piling platforms, roadways and other hardstanding areas.
- Subsidence investigations – Use of drilling and rotary rigs to determine sub surface ground conditions to provide solutions for foundation stability problems in relation to trees, clay soil shrinkage, ground dissolution and coal mining.
- Slope stability analysis – Computer modelling combined with field and laboratory tests to determine stability problems and solutions.
WHY ACCREDITATION MATTERS?
UKAS accreditation is the reassurance that the laboratory management and technical procedures are maintained to the highest standards. Accreditation is awarded to a testing laboratory only after demonstrating competence and compliance with the BS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard. Accreditation is maintained only through annual inspection by a team of industry experienced and professionally qualified experts who observe and examine the management system and laboratory procedures.
TESTING SERVICES
| Test Name | Standard | Clause(s) | UKAS Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture Content | BS 1377-2:1990 | 3.2 | |
| Atterberg Limits – Cone Penetrometer 4-Point | BS 1377-2:1990 | 4.3, 5.3, 5.4 | |
| Atterberg Limits – Cone Penetrometer 1-Point | BS 1377-2:1990 | 4.4, 5.3, 5.4 | |
| Linear Shrinkage | BS 1377-2:1990 | 6.5 | |
| Bulk and Dry Density – Linear Measurement | BS 1377-2:1990 | 7.2 | |
| Particle Density | BS 1377-2:1990 | 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 | |
| Particle Size Distributution – Wet Sieve | BS 1377-2:1990 | 9.2 | |
| Particle Size Distributution – Dry Sieve | BS 1377-2:1990 | 9.3 | |
| Sedimentation – Pipette | BS 1377-2:1990 | 9.4 | |
| Sedimentation – Hydrometer | BS 1377-2:1990 | 9.5 |
| Test Name | Standard | Clause(s) | UKAS Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compaction – 2.5kg Rammer | BS 1377-4:1990 | 3.3, 3.4 | |
| Compaction – 2.5kg Rammer | BS 1377-4:1990 | 3.3, 3.4 | |
| Compaction – 4.5kg Rammer | BS 1377-4:1990 | 3.5, 3.6 | |
| Compaction – Vibrating Hammer | BS 1377-4:1990 | 3.7 | |
| Maximum Density | BS 1377-4:1990 | 4.2, 4.3 | |
| Minimum Density | BS 1377-4:1990 | 4.4, 4.5 | |
| MCV – Single Point | BS 1377-4:1990 | 5.4 | |
| MCV/MC Relation – Multi Point | BS 1377-4:1990 | 5.5 | |
| California Bearing Ratio (CBR) | BS 1377-4:1990 | 7 |
| Test Name | Standard | Clause(s) | UKAS Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Dimensional Consolidation | BS 1377-5:1990 | 3 | |
| Swelling and Collapse Characteristics | BS 1377-5:1990 | 4 |
| Test Name | Standard | Clause(s) | UKAS Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unconsolidated Undrained Triaxial | BS 1377-7:1990 | 8 | |
| Unconsolidated Undrained Triaxial – Multistage | BS 1377-7:1990 | 9 |
| Test Name | Standard | Clause(s) | UKAS Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Undrained Triaxial | BS 1377-8:1990 | 7 | |
| Consolidated Drained Triaxial | BS 1377-8:1990 | 8 |
| Test Name | Standard | Clause(s) | UKAS Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Situ Density by Sand Replacement | BS 1377-9:1990 | 2.1, 2.2 | |
| In-Situ Plate Loading Test | BS 1377-9:1990 | 4.1 |
