CBR Testing and Plate Load Testing Service across the UK Construction & Geotechnical Testing Services Our highly qualified technicians provide a personal on-site service that is unrivalled, and is complemented by expert laboratory testing. We have offices right across the UK which means we can offer on-site testing at one fixed rate no matter where your site is. Call for free quote on 0333 5670 754

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CBR Testing

An in-depth analysis of the soil properties before undertaking a particular project is very crucial. This will go a long way in determining how the surrounding soil composition will interact with the project in question. It tends to give a broad view of whether to proceed with the construction or not. The end result of the analysis will indicate how best to undertake the project without running into complications. This is why CBR testing is essential.

The process may not seem to be complicated, but if any error is made during the tests, it is guaranteed to cause problems sooner or later during or after construction. That is why you need the best company with the right equipment and profound knowledge to help you do CBR testing and other soil analysis. We have been performing this method for nineteen years, and throughout the years, we have gathered the necessary skills required to achieve accurate results.

What is CBR testing?

CBR testing is a crucial procedure when creating flexible pavements as well as when coming up with other pavement designs. It is known as the evaluation of penetration resistance of the soil to determine how strong the ground, base course, and the substrates are before taking any further steps in a construction project. The California Department of transport invented the test, and that is why the procedure is known as the California Bearing Ratio test, commonly referred to as the CBR testing.

We will evaluate how much force is needed to penetrate a particular section of soil regardless of its composition. This is done with the help of a standard penetration plunger. Once the pressure is determined, it is divided by the amount of force required to achieve similar penetration on standard soil. The results is what is known as the CBR.

Apparatus used to perform CBR testing

When performing CBR testing, we make use of high-quality equipment to ensure no errors are made during the whole procedure. Some of the apparatus we use include, Dial gauges, spacer disc. We also Surcharge weight, loading machine, and most importantly, the penetration plunger. These apparatuses will ensure successful penetration of the site’s ground and accurate calibration of the California Bearing Ratio.

The results are not only accurate but also inarguably useful. This is because it will help to determine how stable the ground is and whether it will be able to hold the intended project. With the numbers, civil engineers will be able to advise accordingly so that you don’t end up encountering any problems in the future after the project is already up and running.

When should CBR testing be used?

There are so many instances when CBR testing is required. In general, CBR testing should be done whenever you want to find out how stable is the subsoil and the base material of a particular area. You can then go ahead and use the information to determine the highway thickness, the suitable road pavement designs, parking designs, loading designs as well as how well to establish a temporary foundation.

The same information is used by civil engineers to come up with the suitable highway thickness and how well to establish the component areas. This is done to come up with the best construction that doesn’t end up having numerous complications in the future.

What is plate bearing testing, also known as plate load testing?

Plate bearing testing is also known as plate load testing is an examination carried out to determine how strong is the soil of a particular area. It also helps us analyze its ability to take on the weight of a permanent or temporary structure yet to be constructed. Soil testing places more emphasis on layers and their current composition, structure, and uniformity in relation to its ability to withstand the weight that is about to be exerted on it.

Main reasons for performing Plate bearing testing or plate load testing

There are so many reasons why plate bearing testing should be performed in a particular area. The results found after the process is completed a considerable number of applications. Conventionally, plate bearing testing is usually done to confirm the bearing capability of the soil during different design stages. The process helps to establish information about the settlement capacity of the foundation under the working load and to determine the structural designs that the soil can withstand.

A perfect and accurate plate bearing testing will be able to give a wide scope of everything a civil engineer needs to know concerning the soil composition. This will determine the amount of weight it can withstand. This test is usually undertaken whenever you want to come up with working structures that are temporary, such as pads for crane frameworks and piling rigs. For us to perform the test, a plate bearing apparatus known as the loading plate is used. As the name suggests, the loading plate is loaded with a hydraulic jack, which will end up adding steady increments of loads gradually.

Every load increment placed on the loading plate, the plate settlement is calculated. This will then tell how numerous foundations of different structures will comfortably be accommodated by the soil depending on their weight.

Apparatus used for performing plate bearing testing

Accurate measurements made on the settlement of the plate are solely dependent on the quality of the equipment used. These apparatuses include reference beams, proving ring, counterweight hydraulic jack, pressure gauge, and beaming plates. The brains behind the machine are also crucial when it comes to determining the accuracy of the results. This is because accurate measurements have to be done as well as a proper way to calculate the results.