The
BGS Geotechnical and Geophysical Properties Laboratories provide
a comprehensive, integrated rock and soil testing facility capable
of both standard (e.g. BS1377:1990, ASTM and ISRM suggested methods)
and specialised tests. The laboratories are temperature-controlled
and offer services compliant with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001
quality standards. Clients include local government, Environment
Agency, universities, architects, environmental and civil engineering
consultants and contractors, and the nuclear, oil and extractive
industries.
Ongoing research and development by BGS scientists has resulted in new and innovative laboratory and field equipment and methods, for example in characterising the shrink/swell properties of clays and mudstones and the resistivity and seismic properties of soils and rocks. Combined geotechnical and geophysical studies, complemented by expertise from other BGS laboratories such as Mineralogy and Petrology, provides new insights to understanding the behaviour of the shallow sub-surface.
The
‘Clay Squeezing' Laboratory provides a pore fluid extraction capability,
principally for clays and mudstones, enabling chemical and isotope
analysis of small fluid volumes in the BGS Analytical Geochemical,
NERC Isotope Geosciences and Water Chemistry Laboratories. The data
is used to model the movement of water and solutes, including contaminants,
through low permeability rocks and soils and has been used by British
and Overseas radioactive waste management and environmental organisations.
For more information, please contact:
David
Entwisle,
British Geological Survey,
Keyworth,
Nottingham NG12 5GG
Tel: 0115 9363378
