Geotechnical lab
Access the lab
The lab is located in KC1.101.
To discuss your laboratory requirements, please arrange a meeting with the technical officer Uli Bauer.
Valuable references
- AS1289 – method of testing soils for engineering purposes
- ASTM standards
Equipment available
GDS 100kN Load Frame
The 100kN load frame can be used for multiple purposes, including:
- California Bearing Ratio Testing
- Unconfined Compressive Strength Testing.
We can test a large array of samples sizes so please visit the civil technical officer to find out if this equipment is suitable for your sample.
Using the equipment
You can book by contacting the civil technical officer. Please allow an hour for training on this equipment.
Useful links
The manufacturer of this equipment has some videos on how to use their equipment and software.
Please refer to the Australian Standards for test procedures.
GDS Automated Triaxial System
Static triaxial systems can be used for multiple test procedures. These include:
- Consolidated Drained Triaxial (CD)
- Consolidated Undrained Triaxial (CU)
- Unconsolidated Undrained Triaxial (UU)
- Permeability of a Soil Constant Head.
We can test samples with a 50mm diameter up to 100mm high and each test can take up to a week.
Using the equipment
We have two automated static triaxial systems in our lab which can be booked for use by contacting the civil technical officer. Please allow a full day for training on this equipment.
Please also note that when conducting permeability testing, only one triaxial system can be used to due limited pressure controllers. When preparing your project budget, please allow $5 per test for consumables.
Useful links
The manufacturer of this equipment has some videos on how to use their equipment and software, please feel free to have a look.
Please refer to the Australian Standards for test procedures.
GDS Dynamic Triaxial Testing System
Dynamic triaxial systems (ELDYN) can be used for multiple test procedures. These include:
- Resilient Modulus Test
- Cyclic Loading
- Static Loading
- Permeability of a Soil Constant Head.
We can test samples with a 100mm diameter up to 200mm high and each test can take up to a week.
Using the equipment
We have one dynamic triaxial system in our lab which can be booked for use by contacting the civil technical officer. Please allow a full day for training on this equipment.
When preparing your project budget, please allow $10 per test for consumables.
Useful links
The manufacturer of this equipment has some videos on how to use their equipment and software, please feel free to have a look.
Please refer to the Australian Standards for test procedures.
GDS Automated Odometer System
Odometer systems can be used for multiple test procedures. These include:
- consolidation of a soil
- shrink swell of a soil.
We can test remoulded or in-situ samples and each test can take up to a week.
Using the equipment
We have two automated odometer systems in our lab which can be booked for use by contacting the civil technical officer. Please allow about 2 hours for training on this equipment.
Useful links
The manufacturer of this equipment has some videos on how to use their equipment and software, please feel free to have a look.
Please refer to the Australian Standards for test procedures.
Soil preparation
Please see technical staff for use and further information. These are located in KC1.101.
Name | Details/number available | Induction requirement |
---|---|---|
Soil Preparation Machine | For preparation of material free of rock particles. There is one available in the lab. | Equipment induction |
Liquid Limit Device Casagrande Method | There are two available in the lab. | Area induction |
Liquid Limit Device Cone Penetrometer Method | There are two available in the lab. | Equipment induction |
Drying Oven | There is one available in the lab. Temperature: 110 Degrees | Area induction |
60kg Balance | There is one available in the lab. Precision: d=0.005kg | Area induction |
2000g balance | There are two available in the lab. Precision: d=0.01g | Area induction |
California Bearing Ratio Moulds | There are six available in the lab. | Area induction |
Compaction Equipment Standard and Modified | There are three available in the lab. | Equipment induction |
Sieve Shaker | There is one available in the lab. | Equipment induction |
Particle Size Distribution Sieve Sets | There are three available in the lab. | Area induction |
Wash Sieve Sets | There are two available in the lab. | Area induction |