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Stress vs. Strain: Selecting Equipment to Measure Load & Displacement

July 08, 2025

<p><a href="/measuring-load-and-displacement-article"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2025/july/stress-vs-strain-hero.jpg" alt="Stress vs Strain" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" width="715" height="515" /></a></p><p>Knowing how to determine stress versus strain is central to almost any strength assessment performed in a construction materials testing lab. In this blog, we explore the various the test methods and instruments available for measuring load and displacement.</p>

Tags: Testing Insights , Soil Testing , Soil Mechanics , Geotechnical , Direct Shear Strength Test , Triaxial Shear Testing , Unconfined Compressive Strength , Marshall Stability , CBR , Load and Displacement

A New Standard in Accuracy, Safety, & Performance: The Gilson Mechanical Soil Compactor

November 02, 2022

<div><a href="/blog/gilsons-mechanical-compactor-blog-article"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2022/november/november-blog-hero.jpg" alt="Why Choose Gilson's Mechanical Soil Compactor" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>Proctor tests of soils are simple to perform and easy to understand. A great way to train inexperienced technicians to follow procedures and pay attention to detail, but also repetitive, tedious, and in some variations, highly physical. Mechanical compactors help, but most have their own issues with accuracy and reliability. This blog article takes a close look at Gilson’s innovative solution to these issues. Our new Mechanical Soil Compactor features an innovative design, quality materials, and the latest technology to generate soil accurate and productive soil moisture/density profiles.</p>

Tags: Mechanical Soil Compactor , Product Insights , ASTM D698 , ASTM D1557 , AASHTO T 99 , AASHTO T 180 , ASTM D1883 , Soil Testing , Proctor , CBR , LBR

California Bearing Ratio Test: CBR Values & Why They Matter

October 01, 2020

<div><a href="/blog/cbr-testing"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2020/October/cbr-test2025.jpg" alt="CBR Testing Article" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>In this blog post we discuss why it is important to perform strength tests of soil subgrades for pavement design, and also review what is needed for each type of test method whether it be in the lab or out in the field including the DCP test.</p>