What it tells the engineer
Laboratory tests turn samples into design numbers: classification and plasticity, particle size, compaction and CBR, shear strength and consolidation.
NatTest Lab performs soil laboratory testing for NattestGeo. Select the classification and engineering tests for your samples and project requirements.

Laboratory tests turn samples into design numbers: classification and plasticity, particle size, compaction and CBR, shear strength and consolidation.
After boreholes and sampling, for earthworks and pavement design, and for foundation and slope design.
Your site, the structure and what the design needs to know.
Test locations, methods and the reporting you need.
Testing, drilling and sampling on site by our field team.
Logs, plots and test results for your engineer.
NatTest Lab, our sister laboratory. See its certificates for the accredited scope.
Atterberg limits testing assesses the consistency and plasticity of fine-grained soil. Results support soil c…
Direct shear testing measures soil resistance along a defined shear plane under an applied normal load. Resul…
Field density testing measures the density achieved in placed soil or fill. Results can be compared with the …
Hydrometer analysis determines the particle-size distribution of fine soil fractions from their settling beha…
In-situ CBR testing measures resistance to penetration in pavement support materials. Results support assessm…
Laboratory CBR testing measures penetration resistance in prepared soil or pavement-material specimens. Prepa…
Linear shrinkage testing measures the reduction in length of a prepared soil sample as it dries. Results supp…
Moisture content testing measures water content relative to the dry mass of a soil sample. Results support so…
Particle density testing measures the density of soil solids. Results support calculations of soil volume rel…
Particle-size analysis determines the distribution of soil sizes. Sieve and hydrometer methods are selected f…
Plate bearing testing measures ground settlement under an applied plate load. Results support assessment of l…
Point load testing determines a rock strength index. Any estimate of uniaxial compressive strength requires a…
Proof rolling identifies visible movement or weak areas in prepared ground under an agreed vehicle load. It i…
Bulk density testing measures soil mass per unit total volume, including pore spaces. The report should disti…
Compaction testing establishes the relationship between moisture content and dry density. It determines maxim…
Specific gravity testing compares the density of soil solids with that of water. It is a dimensionless ratio …
Triaxial testing measures soil strength and stress–strain behaviour under controlled confinement. Drainage an…
Soil pH testing measures acidity or alkalinity. Results support chemical assessment of the ground alongside o…