Geotechnical testing

We offer testing tools for any project with geotechnical issues.

Our solutions to measure geotechnical parameters

Load and pull-out tests

Tests on piles, micropiles, bars, nails, tie rods and bolts, in tension, compression, horizontal loading

These tests enable the physical characteristics of the components tested to be validated under real conditions. All tests are standardised, mainly in the French P94 series of standards, which are being incrementally replaced by the ISO 22477 series of standards.

Our teams install the instrumentation and operate it during the test, and can offer complete test management if required.

In such tests, the choice, installation and configuration of the instrumentation must be controlled with perhaps even greater care than in other measurements, as each test is costly and difficult to repeat.

Plate tests in galleries or shafts

Measurement of the deformation modulus of rocks and soils

The test is also known as the ‘rigid plate jack test’. The depth of a plate into the ground is measured, and optionally the deformation of the ground at different depths below the plate. In general, the force of the jack is taken up by the opposite side of the gallery or shaft. The evolution of the crushing is measured on the plate’s comparators and on the mini drilling extensometers in the ground below the plate, depending on the load applied and the time.

The test is also called a ‘rigid plate jack test’ and is a method for determining the in-situ modulus of deformation, as well as Poisson’s ratio, of a rock or soil mass, by pressing a steel plate into the surface with a jack. Increasing load is applied to the plate incrementally, and at each increment, deformation is measured. By comparing the load data with the measurements of settlement/deformation, the stiffness and deformation characteristics of the material can be calculated.

This provides engineers with useful information on ground stability which can then be used to optimise foundation design’.

SixGyro

Drilling deviation measurements

The gyroscopic probe provides borehole deviation measurements regardless of their orientation, and at any depth.

Centralisers are supplied to enable measurement of any borehole, regardless of diameter.

Measurements can be made in bare or cased boreholes or in metal drill pipes (the probe is not susceptible to magnetic interference).

Find out more about our SixGyro solution