Geotechnical Services by Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratory

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.

Geotechnical Testing Services and Capabilities

A Particle Size Distribution Measurement

Applying a Procter Compaction Test

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)
Geotechnical Soils Analysis is part of our core business at our Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratory in Pasco, WA. We strive to deliver the most accurate testing results to clients in a timely manner.

We recently acquired USACE Validation as well as certification for our technicians by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for Aggregate/Soils Base Testing. This is in addition to our existing DOE and AASHTO accreditations. We are also approved by Washington state (an NRC/EPA agreement state) to handle environmentally and radiologically contaminated/hazardous soils at our laboratory facilities.

Watch our video and learn more about geotechnical testing we offer!

Soil Strength and Deformation Testing

  • California Bearing Ratio (D1883)
  • Unconfined (Uniaxial) Compression (D2166)
  • Triaxial Compression (UU, CU, CD) (D2850, D4767, D7181)

California Bearing Ratio Test

Software Automation for Displacement and Load Measurements

Permeability Testing

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

Falling Head Test

Pressure Control Board to 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

Accreditations

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

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

  • Soil Strength – Triaxial, Unconfined Compression (D2166, D2850, D4767, D7181)
  • Atterberg Limits (D4318)
  • Proctor Testing – Standard (D698), Modified (D1557)
  • California Bearing Ratio (D1883)
  • Corrosion Tests – Resistivity (G57, G187), pH (D4972), Redox Potential/ORP (G200), Sulfide (In-house method)

Where are we located?

  • The Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratory is located at:

    2710 N. 20th Street
    Pasco, WA 99301

Learn More About CBAL
How does CBAL work with RJ Lee Group?
Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratories is a joint venture between Columbia Basin College (CBC) and RJ Lee Group, Inc. The partnership, begun in 2001, drove construction of Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS), a 15,000-square foot facility completed in 2005. In 2014, CLS changed its name to Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratories (CBAL) to emphasize the connection between the college, the laboratory, and its location.

The goal of the joint venture was to create one of the first public-private partnerships in the state of Washington that would focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, while providing students with commercial laboratory skills. Today, the laboratory is used as a resource for demonstrating day-to-day laboratory techniques and procedures, as well as to promote the conception and execution of unique research projects.

How does CBAL work with RJ Lee Group?
Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratories is a joint venture between Columbia Basin College (CBC) and RJ Lee Group, Inc. The partnership, begun in 2001, drove construction of Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS), a 15,000-square foot facility completed in 2005. In 2014, CLS changed its name to Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratories (CBAL) to emphasize the connection between the college, the laboratory, and its location.

The goal of the joint venture was to create one of the first public-private partnerships in the state of Washington that would focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, while providing students with commercial laboratory skills. Today, the laboratory is used as a resource for demonstrating day-to-day laboratory techniques and procedures, as well as to promote the conception and execution of unique research projects.