This page details the supported British Standard laboratory tests within OpenGround Lab. 

The summary table below provides an overview of the key components for each test. For more detailed information, click on the test name in the table to navigate to the relevant section.

Important Resources

• Main Guide: For a general overview of lab capabilities, see the Lab Guide.
• Lab Example Project: The example project serves as a valuable reference for how data should be entered for various test types. It can be downloaded here.
• Configuration Details: For an in-depth look at the model configuration and calculations for each test, refer to the Lab Configuration Summary spreadsheet, which can be downloaded from the Getting started section of the Engineer/Lab Manager Guide.

Summary of Supported Tests

Test Name / Standard	Model Groups	Data Entry Profiles	Notes
BS Atterberg - Fall Cone BS 1377-2:2022:5.1-5.3	BSAtterberg BSAtterbergLL BSAtterbergPL	BS Atterberg
BS Compaction BS 1377-2:2022:11	BSComp BSCompReadings	BS Compaction
BS Density BS 1377-2:2022:8	BSDensity	BS Density - Displacement BS Density - Immersion BS Density - Measurement
BS Particle Density BS 1377-2:2022:9	BSPD	BS PD Fluid BS PD Gas
BS PSD - Sieve and Hydrometer BS 1377-2:2022:10	BSParticleSizeDistributionwithHydrometer BSParticleSizeDistributionwithHydrometerData BSParticleSizeDistributionWithHydrometerSieveData	BS PSD Hydro
BS Water Content BS 1377-2:2022:4.1	BSWaterContent	BS Water Content

Test Details

 

BS Atterberg - Fall Cone

This standard covers the determination of the liquid limit and plastic limit of a soil sample. The liquid limit is determined using the fall cone method, and the plastic limit is found by rolling a thread of soil until it crumbles.

The one point factor has been calculated in accordance with the standard.  The InterpolateBFLinear() function is used to calculate the Water Content at 30mm Penetration.     

If a test is unable to determine a Plastic Limit then the user can check the Non Plastic box in the Plastic Limit grid. This causes the Plastic Limit Text header to be set to “NP” and voids the Plastic Limit, Liquid Limit, and other associated calculations.

 

BS Compaction

This test determines the relationship between the water content and density of a soil when compacted. A rammer is used to compact soil in a mould at various water contents to establish the maximum dry density and optimum water content.

There is a manual override field for the Maximum Density and Optimum Water Content if the curve-fitting method does not yield the desired result.

 

BS Density

This standard outlines methods for determining the bulk density of a soil, which is its mass per unit volume in its natural state.

The methods covered include linear measurement, immersion in fluid, and fluid displacement. Each method has its own data entry profile, but they all feed into the same model group.

 

BS Particle Density

This test determines the particle density of soil particles, which is the ratio of the mass of the particles to the mass of an equal volume of water.

The particle density can be derived by fluid or gas pycnometer. Each method has its own data entry profile, but they both feed into the same model group.

 

BS PSD - Sieve and Hydrometer

This standard covers the quantitative determination of a soil's particle size distribution. A combination of wet/dry sieving is used for coarser particles, while the sedimentation (hydrometer) method is used to analyze the fine fraction (silts and clays).

The model allows for a Separation Sieve at 20 mm. If this is used then the Dry Mass is calculated from the Dry Mass Greater Than 20 mm and the Wet Mass and Water Content Less Than 20mm.

It allows for 3 Riffle Stages and Factors which are then used to calculate the Sieve results.

If a Hydrometer is performed then the results from the Hydrometer are factored according to the Percentage Passing the 2mm Sieve as per the standard.

 

BS Water Content

This test method provides the procedure for determining the water content of a soil sample, expressed as a percentage of its dry mass. The standard method involves drying the sample in an oven.

All Water Content tests, unless specified, have an Initial Dry Mass and a Final Dry Mass. Labs using the 16-hour approach will only need to add data to the Final Dry Mass header.  If data has been entered into the Initial Dry Mass header, a check is made that the change in mass is < 1% before the Water Content is calculated.