Soil laboratory
The laboratory has instruments to measure geotechnical and soil hydraulic properties (unsaturated conductivity, pF-curves, saturated conductivity with or without external pressure on the soil), and pollutant migration properties (adsorption, column tests, leaching tests, diffusion cells). The laboratory is managed in co-operation with Department of Geology and Department of Geography.
Geotechnical methods
Methods used in measuring physical properties of soil and by-products, especially needed in designing different kind of structure in soils and studying water flow paths in soil.
Environmental geotechnical analysis
The determination of the environmental acceptability and utilization possibilities of industrial by-products. The determination of the adsorption, diffusion and dispersion properties of soils and by-products for different kinds of pollutants. These methods are used to evaluate the environmental acceptability and landfilling suitability and the landfill category of wastes and by-products and in designing adsorptive structures.
Soil sampling equipment
Person responsible: chief engineer Kauko Kujala and laboratory technician Tuomo Pitkänen
Geotechnical methods
- The granulation and soil particle size
- The soil particle size distribution can be determined and the soil named by sieving the soil sample with normal or wet sieves. The aerometric test can be used to measure the distribution of the smallest soil particles.
- The shearing resistance of the soil
- Shear box test: Used for coarse soils to determine the friction angle and the cohesion and the one-axial shearing resistance of the soil.
- The triaxial test
- Used especially for silts and clays to determine the shearing resistance triaxially. The test can be performed as closed or open test (in the open test the water can leave the sample freely).
- The compression test
- One-axial shearing resistance test for all kinds of materials. Simple and fast test, performed by using constant pressing speed (in mm/min).
- The determination of soils compressing properties
- The Proctor -test to decide the optimal moisture content and the maximum dry density of the soil.
- The determination of soils consolidation properties
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The Rowe odometer:
Especially suitable for organic soils, silts and clays to determine the consolidation properties and parameters by using 3-7 pressure steps. With Rowe odometer also the amount of water leaving the sample during the test can be measured and thus the volume weight and the dry volume weight of the sample can be determined in different stages of the test.
- Automatic odometer:
Suitable for determining certain consolidation parameters (m and β) fast. The parameter are determined by using constant pressing speed until the wanted vertical maximum pressure is reached. The data is collected and the test monitored automatically with computer. Also the pore water pressure can be monitored during the test.
- Solid density
- The measurement of soils solid density with standardized pycnometric method SFS-EN 1097-6 9. Also the adsorption of water to the sample can be determined with the same method.
- Water permeability
- Water permeability measurement according to the standard ASTM D 5084-90 in cells (flexible wall). Furthermore, cells can be under external vertical load during measuring. Both saturated and unsaturated method are available
- Water storage capacity
- Pressure cells for measuring water storage curve of soil (pF-curve), both saturated and unsaturated methods.
- Swelling test
- Equipment for determine swelling properties of soil.
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Environmental geotechnical analysis
- Column tests
- Leaching: Determine environmental and landfill capacity with different leaching tests (CEN/TS 14405:2004 or Dutch test NEN 7343).
- Adsorption: Adsorption of different substance to soil or by-product. Studied sample can be either undisturbed or it can be repacked into certain compact ration.
- Dispersion test: Determination of dispersion in soil by adding artificial tracer to measuring cylinder
- Diffusion cells
- Determination of the diffusion parameters for compacted soil. The used contaminant concentration can be selected freely. Max sample thickness is 15 mm and less if needed.
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Soil sampling equipment
- motorized drilling equipment
- hand operated drills (also for undisturbed soil samples)
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