Our hydraulic and permeability testing services evaluate infiltration, drainage capacity, and water movement through soils and materials.
Permeability describes how easily water moves through a material. Hydraulic testing measures that movement in soils, filter materials and pavement systems, so that drainage and infiltration systems can be designed to carry the flows they are meant to.
A system that drains too slowly floods, and one that drains too quickly may not filter or hold water as intended. The tests below are what fall under it.
Both tests measure how fast water flows through a soil sample. In constant head testing, water flows under a fixed head, which suits sands and gravels. In falling head testing, the head drops over time in a standpipe, which suits finer soils that let water through slowly.
Infiltration rate is how quickly water soaks into the ground surface or into a material. It determines whether stormwater basins, rain gardens and infiltration trenches will drain in the time required.
Hydraulic conductivity is the standard measure of how easily water moves through a soil, expressed as a speed. Very low values are wanted for liners and barriers, and higher values for drainage layers and filters.
Porosity and void ratio describe how much of a material's volume is open space. They control how much water the material can hold and move, and they are needed to interpret permeability and compaction results.
Filter media testing checks that sand, gravel or engineered filter material has the particle sizes and flow characteristics needed to let water pass while holding back fine soil. It applies to underdrains, bioretention systems and stormwater filters.
Permeable pavement testing measures how quickly water passes through pervious concrete, porous asphalt or permeable pavers. It is used to confirm that a new surface meets its infiltration requirement, and to check whether a surface has clogged over time.
Methods shown are the governing ASTM / AASHTO standards. If your project specifies a different standard or a state DOT method, tell us and we'll confirm.
Share the tests you need, the specifications that apply, and your timeline.
We review the requirements with you and confirm the tests, standards and sample needs.
Your samples are tested in our Norcross, Georgia laboratory.
Reports can be ready in as little as 48 hours, depending on the test.
Physical and strength properties of soil and aggregate for foundations, pavements and earthwork.
View tests →Fresh and hardened concrete tests for mix design, strength and durability.
View tests →Strength, durability and deformation testing of rock.
View tests →Asphalt mix and binder testing for pavement design and production control.
View tests →Tell us about your project and we'll help you choose the right tests.