Soils Laboratory Testing

NMG’s in-house soil laboratory is operated under the supervision of our engineering group and is an essential part of our geotechnical engineering capabilities. Laboratory tests are performed to determine soil engineering properties in accordance with industry test methods and standard procedures, such as those recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), California Test Methods (CTM) and other procedures.

Equipment calibration and verification together with established data recording practices are part of our laboratory Quality Management System. Our soils laboratory is accepted by the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and is also accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP) for several test methods. Additionally, our lab is also licensed by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. NMG also offers our laboratory testing services to other geotechnical consultants and public agencies.

Brandon in Lab

Soil laboratory tests include:

  • Moisture Content
  • Dry Density
  • Atterberg Limits
  • Particle-Size Sieve Analysis
  • Passing No. 200 Sieve
  • Hydrometer Analysis
  • Maximum Dry Density
  • CalTrans 216 Maximum Density
  • Asphalt Maximum Density
  • Sand Equivalent
  • Soluble Sulfate Content
  • Expansion Index
  • Consolidation
  • Hydroconsolidation and Collapse
  • Direct Shear (Undisturbed and Remolded)
  • R-Value

More specialized testing is provided through a network of outside laboratories.