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TTL PLC, National Control Centre. DN6 7HH

Geotechnical Laboratory Testing

The Testing Lab PLC (TTL) provides specialist geotechnical laboratory for wide range of soil and materials testing throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Geotechnical Laboratory Testing

The Testing Lab PLC (TTL) provides specialist geotechnical laboratory for wide range of soil and materials testing throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Geotechnical Laboratory Testing Across the UK

The Testing Lab PLC (TTL) operates a specialist geotechnical laboratory providing a wide range of soil and materials testing to support construction, infrastructure and development projects across England, Scotland and Wales.

Our laboratory data helps engineers and contractors understand how the ground and earthworks materials will behave, so they can design safely, build efficiently and manage risk with confidence.

UKAS accredited geotechnical laboratory testing

Our geotechnical testing is carried out within a UKAS accredited quality framework, using recognised British and European standards and robust internal quality control.

We provide:

  • Routine classification testing for soils and aggregates

  • Earthworks and compaction testing for subgrades, capping and stabilised layers

  • Strength, stiffness and deformation testing for design and verification

  • Permeability and consolidation testing for foundations and infrastructure works

A detailed, up-to-date list of tests within our accredited scope can be found on our UKAS schedule of accreditation.

What is geotechnical laboratory testing?

Geotechnical laboratory testing determines the physical and mechanical properties of soils and other materials used in civil engineering and construction. Typical questions it helps to answer include:

  • How strong and stiff is the soil?

  • How will it behave when it gets wet or dries out?

  • Can it be compacted to form a stable formation or capping layer?

  • How quickly will water move through it or drain away?

Laboratory tests complement site investigation and in-situ testing, providing the hard data needed for design, specification and quality control.

Contact our geotechnical laboratory

To discuss geotechnical laboratory testing, sample requirements or turnaround times, please contact our experienced and dedicated team:

Tel: 0800 177 7264
Email: info@thetestinglab.eu

Or please complete our online call back form by clicking on the “Call Me” button, and we’ll respond promptly.

Soil and materials tests we offer

We offer a wide range of tests, including (but not limited to):

  • 1. Classification and index tests

    Used to describe and classify soils:

    • Moisture content / water content

    • Saturation moisture content

    • Atterberg limits (liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index)

    • Linear shrinkage

    • Bulk density and dry density

    • Particle density

    • Particle size analysis (sieve analysis)

    • Sedimentation by pipette / hydrometer methods

    • Resistivity

    These tests help define soil type, plasticity and basic engineering behaviour.

    2. Compaction and earthworks tests

    Used to assess suitability for earthworks and to define target density / moisture conditions:

    • 2.5 kg compaction (Proctor light)

    • 4.5 kg compaction (Proctor heavy)

    • Vibrating hammer compaction

    • Maximum and minimum dry density

    • Moisture Condition Value (MCV)

    This data is used to set compaction specifications, assess workability and support on-site control of earthworks.

  • 3. Strength and bearing tests

    Used to assess strength and bearing capacity:

    • California Bearing Ratio (CBR) – including soaked and unsoaked

    • Unconsolidated undrained triaxial testing

    • Shear box testing

    • Effective stress triaxial testing

    • Isotropic consolidation (as part of effective stress programmes)

    These tests are commonly used for pavement design, foundation assessment and stability analyses.

    4. Compressibility, permeability and volume-change tests

    Used to understand settlement, drainage and durability:

    • One dimensional consolidation properties (oedometer tests)

    • Permeability testing

    • Swelling and collapse testing

    This information is important for embankments, cuttings, foundations and structures sensitive to settlement or volume change.

    5. Specialist and chalk-related tests

    For certain materials and ground conditions, more specific tests are needed, such as:

    • Chalk Crushing Value

    • Additional tests associated with stabilised materials and specific project specifications

    If you require a test not listed above, please contact us – in many cases we can either provide the test or recommend an appropriate approach.

How geotechnical test results are used

The results from our laboratory tests are used to:

  • Inform geotechnical design and selection of foundation solutions

  • Classify soils and materials for earthworks specifications

  • Define compaction targets and acceptance criteria for site works

  • Support pavement design and assessment of subgrades and capping

  • Evaluate settlement, stability and drainage performance

  • Provide evidence for technical approvals and compliance with relevant standards

We can present data in a format that suits your needs and are happy to discuss results with designers and contractors.

Projects and sectors we support

Our geotechnical laboratory supports:

  • Highways and transport infrastructure (roads, rail, airports, ports)

  • Residential and commercial developments

  • Industrial and logistics platforms

  • Energy, utilities and renewables projects

  • Local authority and public-sector schemes

From single investigations to large framework programmes, we provide consistent testing and reporting across your portfolio.

Why choose The Testing Lab PLC for geotechnical laboratory testing?

Specialist geotechnical laboratory
Dedicated soils and materials testing facility with a wide range of routine and advanced tests.

Experienced technical team
Technicians and engineers with extensive experience in ground investigation, earthworks and foundation design support.

Integrated services
Ability to combine geotechnical testing with asbestos in soils, WAC, radon and other specialist testing, as well as sample collection and contaminated sample handling through our Red Laboratory.

Independent. Accredited. Nationwide.
Serving consultants, contractors and developers across England, Scotland & Wales from our National Control Centre in Doncaster.

Areas we cover

From our National Control Centre, We provide geotechnical laboratory testing for projects throughout:

Samples can be sent to our laboratory by courier, haulier or our own coordinated collection service, subject to agreement.

Frequently asked questions about laboratory testing

  • What information do you need before testing?
    Typically we need project details, sampling locations and depths, the tests you require, relevant standards or specifications, and any particular design questions you are trying to answer.

  • How much sample do you need?
    Required volumes depend on the tests specified. We can advise on sample sizes, containers and sampling strategybefore you collect materials on site.

  • How long do tests take?
    Turnaround times depend on the number and type of tests. Simple classification tests are faster; consolidation and some strength tests take longer. We will confirm expected timescales when we quote and can often offer priority options where needed.

  • Can you help choose which tests I need?
    Yes. Our team can discuss your project, ground conditions and design aims, then suggest a test schedule that provides appropriate data without unnecessary cost.

  • Do you test contaminated samples?
    Yes – contaminated or potentially contaminated samples are handled through our dedicated Red Laboratory processes, with additional controls to protect staff and prevent cross-contamination.

Our Accredited Testing Services

Asbestos Testing & Analysis
UKAS accredited for bulk materials, soils, and air.
Legionella & Water Compliance
LCA registered risk assessments, testing, and remedial works.
Geotechnical Laboratory Testing
UKAS accredited soil and material testing.
WAC & Radon Testing
Externally accredited testing for waste and radon safety.
Mundic Block Testing
Specialist testing for concrete degradation.
RAAC Testing
Identify and manage RAAC risks in buildings.
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Douglas
Lothian Hotels Ltd

Dear The Testing Lab PLC,

Many thanks for your prompt and professional asbestos survey report service, I would not hesitate to recommend your company in this regard.

 

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Anonymous
Poole Housing Partnership

This must be an absolute record for getting a report back, considering the surveyor arrived around 3pm – very well done!
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Anonymous
ECORE Construction

Thank you for the very quick response for the quote and scheduling the survey. There’s never any fuss, and always straight forward. Thanks again.

 

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Stuart Meadowcroft
MRICS

Thank you for offering such a prompt turnaround for ACM testing and for your courteous service in doing so – I had a nervous client to placate and knowing the report would be back with them in such a short time was very reassuring to them, and for no more than a basic service from the competition!

 

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Anonymous
ARW Specialist Building Contractors Limited

Bradley, thank you for your efforts at short notice today, please pass on our gratitude to your surveyor Tim who did your company proud!

 

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Pawel Juraszczyk
British Pepper & Spice
H&S Manager

Thank you very much for the air sampling results – and please accept our grateful thanks for resolving this issue so quickly and for the promptness of the report.

Your analyst, Lee, was very helpful and his suggestions and advice appreciated.

We would have no hesitation in recommending The Testing Lab and will be in touch soon with regards arrangements for a full asbestos survey for the rest of the site.

 

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Gary Collinson MCIOB
Hull City Council
Programme Manager

TTL have been working directly as my analyst for the last 12 months on a very complex asbestos removal scheme, they have achieved all of their KPI’s without fail and on a number of occasions surpassed their SLA in acting for us on planning issues associated with the demolition in regard to contamination which cannot be removed as part of the normal sequence of operation.

 

There reports are always issued within timescales and they have policed the reports by the Licensed asbestos contractor faultlessly sometimes in very difficult circumstances.

 

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