A geotechnical investigation tells you what lies below your site before the foundation is designed. Soil and rock are drilled, sampled and tested in the field and in the laboratory to find layer thickness, strength, bearing capacity, settlement and groundwater conditions.
Civitech Labs carries out geotechnical investigations in Udaipur and across Rajasthan for buildings, industrial plants, roads, bridges, water-retaining structures and power projects. Field work is supported by testing in our NABL accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2017).
Borehole drilling in soil and rock
Boreholes are drilled with mechanised and hydraulic drilling rigs. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples and rock cores are collected for laboratory testing, and the groundwater level is recorded.
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
A split-spoon sampler is driven into the soil at the bottom of the borehole with a standard hammer, and the number of blows for 300 mm penetration (the N value) is recorded. SPT N values are used to assess relative density, bearing capacity and liquefaction potential.
Dynamic Cone Penetration Test (DCPT)
A cone is driven continuously into the ground with a standard hammer, giving soil resistance at every depth. It is a quick way to check soil strength and variation between layers, and is also used for road subgrades.
Plate Load Test
A steel plate placed at foundation level is loaded in stages and the settlement is measured. The test gives the bearing capacity and settlement behaviour of the soil.
Field CBR Test
The California Bearing Ratio of the subgrade is measured in place. Field CBR values are used for the design of road, runway and yard pavements.
Field Permeability Test
The rate at which water flows through soil or rock is measured in a borehole or test pit. Results are used for dams, canals, dewatering and seepage studies.
Block Vibration Test (VBT)
A concrete test block is vibrated with a mechanical oscillator and its response is recorded. The test gives the dynamic properties of the soil needed to design foundations for machines such as turbines, compressors and crushers.