Columbia Basin Testing Laboratory

Soil is Our Business

Soil is our business at RJ Lee Group’s Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratory (CBAL) Geotechnical department. The CBAL Geotechnical Department started in 2015 to provide quality testing in support of the US Department of Energy’s Hanford Site. We specialize in measuring the physical properties of soil for the geotechnical, environmental, construction and mining industries. We strive to deliver the most accurate testing results to clients in a timely manner. CBAL’s Quality Management System and Soil Testing is accredited by AASHTO (formerly AMRL), A2LA, USACE, and the U.S. Department of Energy/Defense (DOECAP).

CBAL also holds a Radiological Materials License from Washington State, a United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) agreement state. This license allows us to receive, analyze, and dispose of samples containing low-level radiological contamination.

Soil Classification and Index Property Tests

Water Content Determination (D2216)
Density Determination (D2937)
Atterberg Limits (D4318)
Particle Size Distribution (D422)
Specific Gravity of Soil Solids (D854)
Proctor Compaction (D698/D1557

Soil Corrosivity Testing

pH (D4972, G51)
Soil Resistivity (G57, G187)
Soil ORP (G200)
Sulfate-Chloride (EPA 300.0)
Qualitative Sulfide Determination (In-house method)

Soil Strength and Deformation Testing

• California Bearing Ratio (D1883)

• Unconfined (Uniaxial) Compression (D2166)

• Triaxial Compression (UU, CU, CD) (D2850, D4767, D7181)

Permeability Testing

Constant Head Testing Method (D2434)
Falling Head Testing Method (D5084)
Tests can simulate consolidation conditions underground

Quality Control and Quality Assurance Credentials

CBAL and RJ Lee Group are partners for your quality control testing processes. We help to improve product process and QC, help ensure compliance, reduce costs, and reduce non-compliance risk. We provide solutions and corrective action plans and verification based on scientific data. How does this apply to our Geotechnical services we offer?

Testing

All testing is conducted in accordance with the latest specifications of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other pertinent entities.

Training

We follow strict training protocols to ensure analysts understand each method prior to independently analyzing samples; Analysts routinely perform proficiency tests to confirm analytical precision.

Certified

A2LA Certified to ISO 17025:2017 and US Department of Energy Consolidated Audit Program (DOECAP)

Validation

Obtaining AASHTO and US Army Corps of Engineers Validation in 2021.

CBAL is currently accredited by A2LA and DOECAP to perform the following tests:

• Soil Gradation (D422)

• Moisture Content (D2216)

•Permeability - Hydraulic Conductivity (D2434, D5084)

•Specific Gravity (D854)

•In Place Density by Drive Cylinder (D2937)

•Carbonate Content (D4373)

•Corrosion Tests: Sulfate-Chloride (EPA 300.0), pH (EPA 9045D)

•CBAL is accredited by AASHTO and USACE - See Certification

Consulting Areas

Featured

4 Factors Affecting the Potential for PFAS to Leach from Products into the Environment

lab testing areas

Resources

Featured

What to Expect From a Product and Material Testing Lab

Soil is Our Business

Geotechnical Testing Services and Capabilities