Shear Box Testing Services

Support safe and effective ground design with Celtest’s independent shear box testing services. We provide accurate determination of soil shear strength parameters, including angle of internal friction and cohesion, helping engineers assess ground stability for construction and infrastructure projects.

Our UKAS-accredited laboratory delivers reliable data to support geotechnical design, compliance and risk management.

Shear Box Testing You Can Rely On

Celtest carries out direct shear testing on a wide range of soil types, from fine cohesive materials to coarse granular fills.

Our testing supports:

  • Slope stability and retaining structure design
  • Foundation and earthworks assessment
  • Material suitability for structural fill applications
  • Compliance with geotechnical design standards

Testing is completed in a controlled laboratory environment to ensure consistent, repeatable results.

Soil samples in trays

How Shear Box Testing Supports Your Project

Shear box testing provides measurable data to help you:

  • Determine shear strength characteristics of soils
  • Assess stability under applied loads
  • Support geotechnical design and modelling
  • Validate material performance for construction use
  • Demonstrate compliance with project specifications

Shear Box Testing Capabilities

We offer testing across multiple specimen sizes to suit material type and grading.

Available Test Sizes

60mm x 60mm

  • Suitable for clays, silts and fine sands

100mm x 100mm

  • Designed for medium-grained soils and materials with small gravel content

 

300mm x 300mm (Large Scale)

  • Suitable for coarse materials, structural fills, recycled aggregates and railway ballast where representative testing is required

All tests are conducted by experienced technicians within a temperature-controlled laboratory environment.

Accredited Standards & Methods

Celtest provides shear box testing in accordance with recognised standards:

  • BS EN ISO 17892-10:2018
  • Geotechnical investigation and testing
  • Laboratory testing of soil
  • Direct shear tests
  • Supports compliance with Eurocode 7 requirements
  • BS 1377-7:1990
  • Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes
  • Shear strength tests (total stress)
  • Maintains compatibility with legacy specifications and long-term projects

What We Do

We provide independent direct shear testing to support geotechnical design, compliance and construction decision-making. Our results are clearly reported, enabling engineers and consultants to interpret strength parameters with confidence.

How We Work With You

  • You provide soil samples and project requirements
  • We confirm the appropriate test size and standard
  • Testing is carried out in our controlled laboratory
  • You receive accurate results for design and compliance use

Why Choose Celtest for Shear Box Testing?

  • Technical Expertise – Detailed understanding of peak and residual shear strength behaviour
  • Large-Scale Capability – 300mm shear box testing for coarse and complex materials
  • Standards Compliance – Testing aligned with BS EN ISO and BS standards
  • Reliable Data – Clear outputs for engineering analysis and reporting
  • Efficient Delivery – Turnaround times aligned with project programmes

Frequently Asked Questions