Basalt laboratories for soil testing

Basalt Laboratories for Soil Testing

About Us

Welcome to Basalt Lab

Basalt laboratories for soil testing

Basalt Labrotory is established in 2016 at UAE, is one of the leading organizations in the field of Geotechnical Studies, Construction Material testing, Geophysical Survey& Environmental testing.

We have been very successful in working with other professionals as part of a team to meet complex development challenges throughout U.A.E and have effectively carried out a considerable amount of Geotechnical Investigation , Construction Material testing, Land Surveys, Chemical Testing ,etc . Be it to investigate the feasibility of your new venture, plan for a new expansion or relocation of your existing business to a new site we can help you with the best solution for your survey needs to suit the time lines and your personal preferences. Our policy is to anticipate any issues on a project and give our client a fair and realistic cost and scheduling estimate. We dedicate at least one and sometimes several Professional geotechnical investigation to the project.

Vision

As a technical services company, we are very aware that we need to have the best technical skills available. Through our many years of experience, we discovered it is more valuable to our company and clients to pay close attention, not only to technical skills, but also to a cultural fit in the applicants seeking to join our ranks. Once we identify candidates with the desired technical skill set, we then select people who closely align with our corporate culture and CORE Values.

Message

As we approach our 6th year in business, we are exceedingly proud of the depth of experience in the Geotechnical Laboratory at U.A.E. We are fortunate to have many long-term employees who mentor the new faces that join our team. Additionally, the continued infusion of top talent guarantees we are always on the cutting edge of available technology.

Goals

To identify and needs of our customer's satisfaction by our quality products and services delivered on time, in conformance with their requirements, through professionally trained team and support by our committed management.

Our Services

Compaction Test

Compaction of soils is a procedure in which a soil sustains mechanical stress and is densified. Soil consists of solid particles and voids filled with water or/and air. A more detailed explanation of the three-phase nature of soils is provided in soil as a three phase system. When subjected to stress, soil particles are redistributed within the soil mass and the void volume decreases resulting in densification. The mechanical stress may be applied by kneading, or via dynamic or static methods. The degree of compaction is quantified by measuring the change of the soil’s dry unit weight, γd. Within the framework of engineering applications, compaction is particularly useful as it results in: An increase in strength of soils A decrease in compressibility of soils A decrease in permeability of soils Those factors are crucial in structures and engineering applications such as earth dams, embankments, support of pavements, or support of foundations. The degree of the compaction depends on the soil properties, the type and amount of energy provided by the compaction process and the soil’s water content. For every soil, there is an optimum amount of moisture for which it can experience its maximum compression. In other words, for a given compactive effort, a soil is reaching its maximum dry unit weight (γd,max), at an optimum water content level (wopt).

Compaction Test

Core Test

Core test is commonly required in the area of concrete industry to evaluate the concrete strength and sometimes it becomes the unique tool for safety assessment of existing concrete structures. Core test is therefore introduced in most codes. An extensive literature survey on different international codes, for core analysis is presented. All studied codes’ provisions seem to be unreliable for predicting the in-situ concrete cube strength from the results of core tests. A comprehensive experimental study was undertaken to examine the factors affecting the interpretation of core test results. The program involves four concrete mixes, three concrete grades (18, 30 and 48 MPa), five core diameter (1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 6 in.), five core aspect ratios (between 1 and 2), two types of coarse aggregates (pink lime stone and gravel), two coring directions, three moisture conditions and 18 different steel arrangements. Prototypes for concaret and columns were constructed. More than 500 cores were prepared and tested in addition to tremendous number of concrete cubes and cylinders. Results indicate that the core strength reduces with the increase in aspect ratio, the reduction in core diameter, the presence of reinforcing steel, the incorporation of gravel in concrete, the increase in core moisture content, the drilling perpendicular to casting direction, and the reduction in concrete strength.The model when calibrated against large number of test data shows good agreement. The proposed model can effectively estimate the in-situ concrete cube strength from core test results.

GeoTechnical Investigation

Basalt Laboratory provides Geotechnical and Geophysical Investigation (Surface & Subsurface explorations) services to architects, developers, consultants and contractors. These investigations are performed to guide the consultants and the designers in designing the suitable type of the foundations or to provide general information regarding the subsurface conditions. The surface exploration includes geologic mapping, geophysical methods and photogrammetry. Subsurface exploration usually involves drilling of boreholes up to the required depth and collecting samples for further laboratory tests. Basalt Laboratory has vast experience developing subsurface investigations and geotechnical laboratory testing programs tailored to meet our customer's requirements. Our professional team of geotechnical engineers and geologists has diversified experience in monitoring investigations as well as classifying the materials. Site specific laboratory testing based on the end use of the data are designed to determine soil and rock parameters required for geotechnical analysis and design. The inconsistency and composition of the land requires the use of suitable drilling technique and machine. Falcon's extensive experience in the field of Geotechnical Investigations ensures to provide the right kind of the machine for the right applications.Basalt Laboratory provides wide range of geotechnical investigation services to the construction and allied industries. These includes but not limited to the following : Soil drilling with typical borehole sizes of 75mm, 100mm or 125mm diameter Sample recovery utilizing Undisturbed Sampling techniques Sample recovery utilizing Piston Soil Sampling Mazier Sampling Rock coring with samples recovered by triple tube Diamond Standard Penetration Test Cone Penetration Test Pressuremeter Test (OYO Type) Vane Shear Test In-site Permeability Test Packec Test Mackintosh Probe Plate Load Test Fieldwork for Environmental Baseline Study

GeoTechnical Investigation

Laboratory Testing

Concrete and aggregate used in your construction projects has to meet strict regulations and quality standards. As these standards are often compulsory, concrete and aggregate testing by an independent third-party is necessary to help assure compliance. Our full range of independent concrete and aggregate testing services can help ensure both the quality of your concrete and the quality of your aggregate. WHY USE CONCRETE AND AGGREGATE TESTING As an independent third-party, we provide you with highly specialised personnel, technology and testing laboratories, along with accreditation for a wide range of national and international standards. We can help you: Comply with the relevant regulations and quality standards Make informed decisions with advice, guidance and review of test data Get the testing you need with bespoke test procedures when standard testing does not suit Ensure the quality of concrete Ensure the quality of aggregate Evaluate the performance of available materials Control concrete quality during – and after – construction COMPREHENSIVE CONCRETE TESTING FOR YOUR PROJECT We offer you comprehensive concrete testing at every stage of your project. From on-site slump testing as you pour your concrete, through to testing hardened samples for physical characteristics in our laboratories, our concrete testing includes: Sampling of fresh concrete and slump testing on site Making and curing test specimens on your site and in our laboratory Compression and flexural testing Compression tests on moulded specimens and on hardened concrete cores Mass per unit volume testing for hardened concrete Securing and testing cores from hardened concrete Flexural strength and toughness of hardened concrete Testing for the compressive strength per unit mass of grout Water absorption and permeable voids testing Apparent volume testing We offer you broad aggregate testing at every phase of your project. From our on-site quality control monitoring when you source the aggregate, right through to physical characterisation in our specialised laboratories, our services include testing for: Bulk density Polished aggregate friction value Particle density and water absorption Sieve analysis Material finer than 75 ìm Particle shape Flakiness index Angularity number Fine particle size distribution Aggregate crushing value Wet/dry strength variation Los Angeles Value Soundness Weak particles Clay and fine silt Organic impurities other than sugar Resistance to stripping Colour of aggregate Average least dimension Resistance to wear by attrition Unconfined compressive strength Chloride sulphate sugar content Petrographic examination Oversize particle size distribution and shape

Laboratory Testing

Geophysical MASW Surveys

Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) is a very useful method for investigating shallow geological structure and, in particular, the relative shear strength of subsurface materials. By incorporating density values for the local bedrock and overburden sediments it is possible to derive their shear modulus often referred to as dynamic ground stiffness. The technique is based on the recording of seismic waves that roll much like a seawav e along the surface and extend down to depth beneath the survey line. At each new location it is essential to carry out initial tests to determine optimum acquisition parameters including geophone spacing and shot offset distances. Typically a hammer and plate or buffalo gun is used as the seismic source with the latter offering more power for difficult sites. Surface waves travel more slowly than other seismic signals and are recorded over long time intervals by comparison. The recorded data are first processed to produce dispersion curves for each shot. These curves are then modelled individually to produce 1D depth profiles of shear wave velocity and then combined to produce a depth cross-section revealing the shear wave velocity structure of the ground.

Geophysical MASW Surveys

Water Well Drilling

Mechanical Methods Where manual drilling methods rely on simple tools, large work crews, hard work and patience to get the job done, mechanical drilling methods use motors, gears and fuel to power through rock and tough soils. These techniques can dig faster and deeper than manual methods and are ideal for contractors and groups looking for efficient, highly maneuverable easy-to-use equipment. For drilling a single well, they might not be cost efficient, but for operations looking to add water well drilling to their services, investing in the right water well drilling rig for your operation can offer fast ROI and open up new possibilities. There are several popular methods, each with its own pros and cons, so consider your needs and the geology of your area of operation before committing to a mechanical drill rig. Jetting: With this method, a pump forces water down a drill pipe and out a narrow nozzle to make a jet of water that loosens the sediment. Water outside the drill pipe carries cuttings up to the surface and into a settling pit, dug next to the borehole. The pump then returns the water back down the pipe. The drill pipe is suspended from a tripod and rotated by hand to keep the hole straight. In fine sand, this method can reach depths of 197 feet (60 meters). Pros: Only requires two people Only tools are pump that can generate sufficient pressure and pipe Cons: Only works in soft, fine-grained sediments Difficult to install sanitary seal to protect from surface contamination Cable Tool: This is a mechanized version of manual percussion drilling. A heavy drill bit is attached to a steel cable and raised and dropped down the borehole. Cuttings are still manually removed with a bailer and several meters of water must be maintained in the borehole to keep the cuttings suspended. Equipment ranges from a basic skid-mounted winch with a tripod to a complex set of pulleys and drums with a large mast. Large cable tool rigs are mounted on a trailer or the bed of a truck and use hydraulic motors to raise and lower the mast and rotate the drums of the cable. These larger units are capable of drilling hundreds of feet deep through virtually any geological conditions. Pros: Uses least amount of fuel Cons: Slowest mechanical method Steel casing required to keep hole from collapsing when working in loose sediment Can require extra equipment like arc welder and cutting torch for drive casing Mud Rotary: The basic concept behind the mud rotary drill rig is similar to jetting. Add a large cutting bit, lengths of steel drill pipe with threaded joints, a motor to turn and lift the drill pipe and a sturdy mast to support the pipe and you are ready for rotary well drilling. Mud rotary drilling also mixes bentonite clay or other materials in the jetting water to improve its ability to lift cuttings. This fluid is called “drilling mud” and is the “mud” referenced in the method’s name. The two basic categories of mud rotary drilling are: table drive, where a rotating mechanism near the base of the rig turns the drill pipe, and top-head drive, where a motor attached to the upper end of the pipe turns it. In both cases, the upper end of the pipe is attached to a lifting mechanism that moves it along the mast. Both types of mud rotary rigs also have a swivel attached to the upper end of the pipe, allowing drilling mud to be pumped down the pipe while it is rotating. Depending on size, a mud rotary rig can drill up to 3,281 feet (1,000 meters). The LS100 and LS200 drill rigs are mud rotary rigs at the small end of drill rig sizes, but even these smaller machines can drill an 8-inch (20-centimeter) borehole to a depth of 197 feet (60 meters). For more power in challenging soils, Lone Star developed the Hydraulic Series. The LS300H+ is capable of drilling a 6-inch (15-centimeter) borehole up to 300 feet (91.4 meters). Pros: Drilling mud keeps borehole open eliminating need for drive casings Faster than cable tool and jetting methods Cons: Drilling through rock only possible with larger rigs Multiple motors consume more fuel per hour than cable tool rig Large rigs require support vehicles to haul water and drill pipe Air Rotary: The mechanical elements of an air rotary drill rig are similar to a mud rotary rig, including an option of table drive or top-head drive for rotating pipe. The principal difference is the use of compressed air to remove cuttings rather than drilling mud. The air rotary rig uses the same type of drill bits as the mud rig, but it can also drill with a down-the-hole hammer. It uses compressed air to break up rock and can drill very fast. A large air rotary rig can drill more than 1640 feet (500 meters) in the right geological conditions. Pros: Fastest drilling method Quicker setup than other methods Cons: Most expensive method Consumes the most fuel per hour Requires support vehicles and large air compressor As you can see, there are lots of options for drilling water wells. The drilling method that works best for you, depends on your geology, your brawn and your budget.

Water Well Drilling

Chemical Testing

Basalt Laboratory's range of testing services are delivered through a network of highly sophisticated laboratories with professionals with deep domain knowledge and experience. These experts help you to mitigate risks by determining the root cause of the problem and identifying areas of improvement in your processes and supply chain. Water Chemical Testing pH, TSS, TDS, Color Oil and grease BOD, COD Conductivity Metals, Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ag, Co Chloride, Sulphate, Sodium Potassium Bromide Bicarbonate, carbonate Calcium, Magnesium

Chemical Testing

Our Partners

Al Torath International Engineering Consultant

Arcal Engineeiring Consultant

awtad engineering consultancy

KEO International Consultant

Pioneer Engineering Consultants

Ritaj Engineering Consultant

Safeer Engineering Consultant

Contact Us

We need the comments, feedback and suggestion to improve our services further. Please feel free to write the suggestions how to improve our services in near future.

Contact Information

M-36, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

	024436463
	+971502314940
	+971502314216
	024416940
	028847057

b.lab@basaltlab.ae
basaltlab@gmail.com

Get in Touch