Classification Testing. The laboratory is well-equipped to perform routine classification tests (water content, hydrometer and sieve analyses, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, organic matter and carbonate contents) and compaction tests (Standard and Modified Proctor, static compaction and minimum-maximum density).

Permeability Testing. Our laboratory is equipped with elaborate in-house designed permeability testing equipment capable of performing over 60 constant-head permeability tests simultaneously under backpressure using either flexible wall or rigid wall permeameters. Hydraulic pressures up to 220 psi are applied by air-water jacks with inflow, outflow, and pressures electronically recorded by the laboratory central data acquisition system. Undisturbed, sedimented or recompacted samples can be tested using a wide range of permeants. In addition to measuring permeability, this equipment can be used to study the chemical resistance and sorption behavior of natural clays, slurry wall mixes and all other liner materials when subjected to industrial and mining seepage effluents.

Consolidation Testing. Our laboratory is equipped with nine standard consolidometers, one in-house patented constant rate of strain consolidometer, and four in-house designed large strain slurry-consolidometers. The data acquisition system is used to monitor deformation versus time automatically during consolidation testing. The laboratory can perform swell pressure and collapse tests utilizing standard consolidometers and load frames equipped with direct current displacement transducers (DCDT) to verify strain and electronic load cells for use in calculating swell pressures.

Strength Testing. Four Wykeham Farrance load frames are available for performing a variety of strength tests. The in-house designed triaxial testing system includes six triaxial cells and is capable of performing three tests simultaneously. Consolidated drained with volume change measurements, consolidated undrained with pore pressure measurements, unconsolidated undrained and unconfined compression tests can all be performed on the system. Deformation, load, pore pressure, and volume change are monitored automatically via the data acquisition system. Undisturbed, recompacted and sedimented soils or waste products can be tested in a variety of pore fluids with the existing system. A direct shear test apparatus, Brookfield viscometer and electric laboratory vane are also available for strength testing.

Geosnythetic Testing. The laboratory is equipped with two-state-of-the art Instron Testers, Model 1011, which has a capacity of 1,000 lbs. and Model 4206, which has a capacity of 30,000 lbs. in compression or extension. The data is collected and reduced using two computers. A wide variety of tests can be performed on geosynthetic materials, including but not limited to, destructive and conformance tests on HDPE, LDPE and LVDPE liner material, seam tests on woven and non-woven filter fabric materials, and seam tests on PCV liner materials.

Chemical Testing. Specific conductance and pH are determined via a YSI Model 31 conductivity bridge and Orion 901 micropressor ionanalyzer with a AgCl glass pH probe, respectively. Fluoride, sulfate, orthophosphate and ammonia nitrogen are determined using potentiometric methods and an Orion 901 micropressor ionanalyzer. These tests can be performed on fluid samples or on extracts prepared from soil or waste material.

Leaching Testing Equipment. Leaching tests are performed in either falling-head or constant-head type equipment, and under atmospheric pressure or under high backpressure. A hot-temperature bath is available to accelerate the rate of reaction between the permeant and test specimen. Sample diameters of 3.6 to 10.2 cm and sample lengths of 2.5 to over 30 cm can be accommodated in existing equipment.

Equipment is available to test undisturbed or recompacted samples. The leaching test equipment is constructed of materials (i.e., stainless steel, Teflon and Plexiglas) capable of accommodating many corrosive permeants. Gas Chromatograph. The laboratory includes a Photovac Model 10S10 for identification and quantification of headspace gas from soil and water samples.