Geotechnical laboratory

Designing a structure requires precise knowledge of the physical and mechanical properties of the soils and rocks involved. Our laboratory provides complete geotechnical and geomechanical characterisation, with standard and advanced, static and dynamic tests under controlled and repeatable conditions.

The ISMGEO geotechnical laboratory with loading frames and triaxial cells
The geotechnical laboratory in Seriate.

Authorisations and standards

  • The laboratory is authorised by the Italian Board of Public Works for classes A, B and C.
  • Soil testing follows ASTM (Volume 04.08 Soil and Rock), AGI (Italian Geotechnical Association) and UNI procedures.
  • Rock testing follows ASTM procedures and the ISRM suggested methods for characterisation and monitoring.
Loading frame for triaxial tests on a cylindrical specimen
Loading frame for large-diameter triaxial tests.

Soil testing

  • Physical parameters and classification moisture content, bulk and dry density, particle density, Atterberg limits, particle size distribution, maximum and minimum density
  • Oedometer consolidation incremental load (IL) and constant rate of strain (CRS)
  • Stress-path controlled triaxial tests TxCIU, TxCID, TxCAU, TxCAD, UU
  • Triaxial tests with elastic wave measurement Vp and Vs polarised on the principal planes
  • Direct shear DS
  • Ring shear RS
  • Permeability constant head permeameters and direct flow pump measurement
  • Compaction and bearing ratio Proctor, CBR

Cyclic and dynamic tests

  • Cyclic triaxial TXC
  • Cyclic simple shear CSS
  • Cyclic torsional shear CTS
  • P and S wave velocity with bender and compression elements BE, CE
  • Resonant column RC

Rock testing

  • Physical characterisation
  • Direct permeability
  • Uniaxial compressive strength
  • Triaxial compression in Hoek cell
  • Tensile strength Brazilian test
  • Joint direct shear

Advanced tests

  • Large-diameter triaxials D = 150, 200 and 300 mm, monotonic and cyclic, cell pressure up to 2.5 MPa
  • Large direct shear and pull-out
  • Triaxials with local strain measurement axial and radial
  • K0 oedometer with horizontal stress measurement
  • High temperature and high pressure triaxials up to 120 °C and 20 MPa with the HITEP system
  • Triaxials with extrusion pressure measurement
  • Direct shear under constant normal stiffness DS-CNS

A structure to verify?

Tell us about the ground, the structure and your timing: we will propose the right testing programme.

Request a quote Or call +39 035 303120