Many engineers in Coventry assume that disturbed samples are enough for settlement analysis on the Mercia Mudstone Group. That assumption often leads to overdesign or, worse, foundation failure. We use thin-walled Shelby tubes to extract undisturbed samples that preserve the soil's natural structure and moisture content. This is critical when you need accurate consolidation parameters or undrained shear strength. Before we begin, we assess the borehole stability and depth to avoid sample disturbance. For projects on the city's alluvial terraces, we often combine this with a capacity of load test to verify bearing resistance directly.
A sharp cutting edge and steady hydraulic advance preserve the natural structure of clay; any deviation ruins the consolidation test.