Laboratory & Field Testing Services

At GEOCIVIL, we provide a comprehensive range of IANZ-accredited geotechnical testing services for soil, aggregate, concrete, and field investigations. With laboratories located across New Zealand, our experienced technicians deliver accurate, reliable results that comply with both national and international testing standards.

From routine compaction and density testing through to advanced triaxial shear, consolidation, and durability tests, our services ensure you have the critical geotechnical data required to design, verify, and build with confidence.

Whether your project involves roading, civil infrastructure, earthworks, foundations, or specialist construction projects, GEOCIVIL provides dependable laboratory and field testing solutions to help you achieve safe, sustainable, and high-quality outcomes.

Soil Testing – IANZ Accredited

These tests determine moisture, density, compaction, strength, and durability of soils to support earthworks, pavements, and foundation design.

Soil Tests include:

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 2.1 – Water content of a soil

  • NZS 4402:1986 Tests 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 – Atterberg limits (Liquid / Plastic / Plasticity Index)

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 2.6 – Linear shrinkage (with & without PI)

  • AS 1289.7.1.1-2003 – Shrinkage Index of a soil (excl. sampling)

  • NZS 4402:1986 Tests 2.7.1 & 2.7.2 – Solid density

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 2.8.1 – Particle size distribution (Wet sieving: <19 mm, <65 mm, >65 mm)

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 2.8.4 – Full Hydro & PSD (<19 mm, >19 mm)

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 4.1.1 – NZ Standard compaction (Cohesive, Non-Cohesive, Single point)

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 4.1.2 – NZ Heavy Compaction (incl. >19 mm oversize)

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 4.1.3 – Vibrating hammer compaction (incl. single point)

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 6.1.1 – CBR – Remoulded specimens

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 3.3.1 – pH tests

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 7.1 & ASTM D2435 M-11 – Consolidation (Oedometer) – standard load cycles (50 mm & 63 mm samples; alternative loads/remoulding available)

  • ASTM D3080/3080M-11 – Direct shear of soils: Consolidated Drained & Undrained Unconsolidated (60 mm diameter mould; alternative methods/remoulding available)

  • ASTM D2850 – Triaxial, 3-peak shear (Unconsolidated Undrained; additional charges may apply for remoulding/moisture adjustment)

  • ASTM D4767 – Triaxial, 3-peak shear (Consolidated Undrained with pore water pressure; additional charges may apply for remoulding/moisture adjustment)

  • ASTM D4644-16 – Slake durability

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 5.1.4 – Density of soil

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 6.3.1 – UCS of cohesive materials

  • Falling head permeability – Soils (silts & clays)

Aggregate Testing – IANZ Accredited

Our aggregate testing services cover grading, strength, durability, and shape analysis to confirm materials meet NZTA, NZS 4407:2015, and international standards. These tests are critical for roading, concrete, and earthworks projects.

Tests include:

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.1 – Water content of an aggregate

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.5 – Clay index

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.6 – Sand Equivalent

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.7.1 – Solid density (pycnometer method)

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.2 – Cone Penetration limit (with PL)

Particle Size Distribution (PSD):

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.8.1 – Particle size distribution (Wet sieving: <19 mm, <40 mm, <65 mm, >65 mm)

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.8.2 – Particle size distribution (Dry sieving: <19 mm, >19 mm)

Durability & Strength:

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.9 – Cleanness value of coarse aggregate

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.10 – Crushing resistance of coarse aggregate under a specified load

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.11 – Weathering quality index of coarse aggregate

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.14 – Broken faces with PSD

  • NZS 4407:2015 Test 3.15 – CBR – Remoulded specimens

  • ITS, NZTA T/19:2013 – Indirect Tensile Strength (lab-based test; on-site available by arrangement)

Specialist Aggregate & Rock Tests:

  • ASTM D5731-16 – Point load strength

  • AS 1141.14-2007 – Particle shape by Proportional Caliper (in conjunction with PSD)

  • ASTM D7012-14 – UCS of intact rock cores

  • AS 5101.4-2008 – UCS of stabilised aggregate (150 mm dia. mould, set of 3 or single)

  • NZS 4407:2015 – Size and shape of aggregate

Other Aggregate Property Tests:

  • ASTM D6276-99a – Lime consumption

  • Water absorption (in-house method)

  • ASTM 1141.22-2019 – Wet/dry strength variation

Concrete & Other Laboratory Testing

We provide concrete strength testing and aggregate quality assessments, along with laboratory water quality testing, to ensure compliance with NZS and IANZ-accredited standards.

Aggregate Quality (NZ 3111:1986):

  • CV – Aggregates <40 mm

  • CV – Aggregates >40 mm

  • Weathering

  • Crush

  • Sand Equivalent (SE)

  • Moisture Content (M/C)

  • PSD & Fineness modulus

Concrete Strength (NZ 3112: Part 2:1986 sect 4 & 6):

  • Compressive strength of moulded concrete cylinders or cubes

    • 50/63 mm Cylinder

    • 100 mm Cylinder

Other Laboratory Tests:

  • Water quality testing (in-house method)

    • Total suspended solids

    • pH

Field Testing – IANZ Accredited

Our field testing services provide on-site verification of soil compaction, density, and strength, ensuring earthworks and pavements meet performance requirements.

Tests include:

  • ASTM D5778 – CPT and CPTu (incl. Seismic CPTu)

  • DIN 18134:2012 – Static Plate Load test

  • ASTM E2835-11 – Light Weight Deflectometer

  • NZS 4407:2015 Part 2 – Sampling of roading aggregates

  • NZS 4407:2015 Tests 4.2.1 & 4.2.2 – Nuclear densometer

  • NZS 4402:1986 Test 5.1.3 – In situ density (sampling tube method)

  • NZGS Aug 2001 – Pilcon shear vane

  • NZS 4402:1988 Test 6.5.2 – Dynamic cone penetrometer

  • NZGS Dec 2005 – Borehole logging

  • In-house – Percolation testing

  • ASTM D5874-02 – Impact Value (Clegg Hammer)

  • Window sampler

  • TNZ T/1 (1977) – Pavement deflection (Benkleman Beam Method)

  • Level logger monitoring

  • Inclinometer monitoring

Why Choose GEOCIVIL?

Every project relies on accurate ground data. At GEOCIVIL, we provide independent, IANZ-accredited testing services that help you reduce risk, save time, and ensure your project meets compliance requirements from day one.

Whether you’re building roads, subdivisions, foundations, or major infrastructure, our testing services give you the confidence to design and build on solid ground.

We combine:

  • Nationwide service – Mobile field teams and laboratories across New Zealand, delivering results wherever your project is located.

  • Accredited testing – Confidence in results backed by IANZ accreditation and compliance with NZ and international standards.

  • Comprehensive capability – Soil, aggregate, concrete, and field testing solutions tailored to your project’s needs.

  • Faster project decisions – Timely data to help engineers, contractors, and councils move projects forward without costly delays.

  • Solution-focused approach – Practical reporting and clear communication, so you don’t just get numbers — you get actionable insights.

Partner with GEOCIVIL and build with confidence.

We Can Travel to Your Site

At GEOCIVIL, we offer flexible testing solutions nationwide. Our team can mobilise to your project location anywhere in New Zealand to carry out both field and laboratory sampling. Whether you require soil, aggregate, concrete, or specialist geotechnical testing, we deliver prompt, accurate results backed by IANZ-accredited methods.

Contact us today to discuss your project requirements or to schedule testing at your site.

Contact Us

For more information on testing or any of our complementary services, get in touch with GEOCIVIL. We’re ready to help you manage compaction quality and ensure the long-term success of your project.

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