On 20 November 2024, a workshop on soil and rock testing for geotechnical purposes was held at the Geolabs Ltd laboratory in Watford near London as part of The British Geotechnical Association (BGA) activities. The workshop was attended by representatives from the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute from the Department of Engineering Geology and Shallow Geothermics.

The workshop was organised by the Geolabs Ltd testing laboratory, which undertakes geotechnical testing of soils and rocks on a daily basis and is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). Participants at the workshop included representatives from various UK geotechnical engineering companies, as well as those from foreign institutions, including PGI-NRI staff from the Centre for Soil and Rock Surveys, which is a part of the Department of the Department of Engineering Geology and Shallow Geothermics.

Participants of the meeting (źródło: Geolabs Limited | LinkedIn)

During the first part of the workshop, basic tests for the classification and determination of basic physical and mechanical parameters of soils and rocks were discussed and presented. Demonstrations included tests of consistency, granulometric composition using sieve and pipette methods, specific density using a liquid pycnometer, thermal parameters using a thermal needle, edometric tests, uniaxial compression using a direct shear machine, compaction, point load strength of rock, tensile strength and permeability.

Strength testing apparatus (źródło: Geolabs Limited | LinkedIn)

In the second part, the impact of sample collection, transport and storage on the feasibility of the designed tests and the quality of the results obtained was discussed. The importance of proficiency testing and international comparisons was also mentioned.

Laboratory show (źródło: Geolabs Limited | LinkedIn)

Laboratory Geolabs Ltd, as organiser of this type of research, presented an annual summary of its physical, mechanical and thermal testing activities.

During the third part, the Geolabs Ltd laboratory's experience in advanced mechanical testing was discussed, including triaxial cyclic testing, triaxial bender element testing, resonant column testing and dynamic simple apparatus testing.

One of the presentations (źródło: Geolabs Limited | LinkedIn)

One of the presentations (source: Geolabs Limited | LinkedIn)

Participation in the workshop allowed participants to learn about traditional survey techniques used to obtain physical and mechanical parameters of soils and rocks, as well as the latest and most advanced mechanical surveys performed for such purposes as the construction of offshore wind farms or building in seismically active areas.

Laboratory show (source: Geolabs Limited | LinkedIn)

The Centre for Soil and Rock Surveys' laboratory also carries out soil and rock surveys for geological and engineering purposes. It has a wide range of tests accredited by the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA). This range is systematically expanded with new studies. Recently, it has expanded to include triaxial testing of soils and thermal testing of soils and rocks, as well as sampling. The laboratory staff is systematically expanding its competence and implementing new tests. Currently, it is in the process of implementing some of the advanced triaxial tests discussed at the workshop.

Text: Alicja Grabowska, Adam Roguski
Photos: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/geolabs-limited_geolabs-laboratorytesting-proficiencytesting-activity-7267171169441656832-KdTP/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android Geolabs Limited | LinkedIn