Laboratory Testing

MRCE's private soil mechanics laboratory provides a value-added service to our clients. Used exclusively on our own design assignments, its location in our offices provides quick turnaround time and easy opportunity for hands-on examination of materials by project engineers to verify and understand soil test results. From our laboratory's beginning with our founder Daniel E. Moran's pioneering soil consolidation measurement apparatus to our current state-of-the-art ground freezing tests and unusual testing capabilities such as triaxial compression tests, our laboratory continues to provide a vital part of our geotechnical engineering services.

Laboratory Services and Testing Capabilities

Since 1910, soil samples and rock core recovered during a subsurface investigation have been delivered to our laboratory for review of field classifications and testing as appropriate. Together, our Laboratory Manager and the Project Engineer develop test schedules and procedures specific to a project's needs. Testing is typically performed in accordance with ASTM procedures. Modifications of the schedules and procedures are often made during the program to maximize the value of the laboratory data.

MRCE's lab holds the following certifications:

AASHTO/AMRL ACE USDA Soil Permit

State-of-the-Art Equipment

We continually develop state-of-the-art equipment for specialized testing and to increase laboratory efficiency. A full complement of frozen ground testing equipment has been developed over the past several years to perform different tests, including strength and creep tests, heave estimation, and thermal conductivity. The laboratory has the ability to transport, store, and prepare samples frozen in the field and freeze samples under controlled conditions in our lab.

Our laboratory testing capabilities meeting ASTM Specifications include:

Strength

• Triaxial Compression Tests – Unconfined, UU, CU, and CD
• Miniature Shear Vane
• Direct Shear
• Maximum and Minimum Density

Consolidation

Permeability Laboratory

• Falling Head
• Constant Head

Artificial Ground Freezing ► Frozen Ground Testing Services

• Confined & Unconfined Compressive Strength
• Creep under sustained stress
• Expansive and Heave
• Thermal conductivity of frozen soil
• Salinity

Index Property

• Soil Classification
• Water Content
• Mechanical and Hydrometer Analysis of Grain Size
• Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index
• Unit Weight
• Specific Gravity
• Compaction Tests
• California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
• Organic Content
• Shrinkage Limit

Data Summary and Reports

Typed logs are prepared after review of the field classifications and laboratory tests. Laboratory data are reduced using computer programs which graph test results for laboratory quality control checks, and for final report presentation. These programs were developed in-house, and are utilized by laboratory technicians and design engineers. Laboratory summary tables and properties profiles are prepared to summarize test data and illustrate the engineering characteristics of the soils tested. Computerized data from consolidation and triaxial tests, mechanical and hydrometer analysis of particle size distribution, and Atterberg limit tests are used to create plates for reports.