TerraLab SUPSI - IST
TerraLab SUPSI
The geotechnical laboratory of the Institute of Earth Sciences is active in applied research, education, and services for the territory in the fields of applied geology and geotechnics.
Research Areas
A thorough understanding of the subsurface, obtained through the physical and mechanical characterization of natural soils and artificial fill, allows geologists and geotechnical engineers to provide essential data for addressing challenges related to land management, human activities, and climate change in an alpine context. These challenges include: extraction of raw materials, management of water resources, reduction of runoff and surface erosion, study and monitoring of slope and infrastructure stability, urban expansion, and the design of innovative and sustainable engineering projects.
The TerraLab SUPSI laboratory is active in addressing the aforementioned challenges through applied research projects, territorial services, and education courses. It ensures synergies between SUPSI’s institutional mandates (research, education, and services) and serves as a place for exchange between experts and trainees in the fields of applied geology, civil engineering, and geotechnics.
Analysis of physical and mechanical properties of soils
Training session at TerraLab SUPSI
The TerraLab SUPSI is equipped with the main instruments for geotechnical analysis, characterization, and classification of soils, both physical and mechanical, including grain size distribution tests, Atterberg consistency limits, direct/residual shear tests, oedometer tests, triaxial tests, permeability tests, and compaction tests. All tests are performed according to current Swiss standards.
Used to determine the water content of soil corresponding to the shrinkage, plastic, and liquid limits.
Caption test
Used for performing direct/residual shear tests to determine soil shear strength under confined conditions.
Caption test
Used for conducting incremental loading consolidation tests on confined soil samples, as well as permeability and swelling tests.
Caption test
Used for performing triaxial tests to analyze soil strength under free expansion (CD, CU, or UU) and permeability tests.
Caption test
Used for performing soil compaction tests based on varying water content (optimal moisture content and dry density).
Caption test
The TerraLab SUPSI laboratory offers various services for the physical and mechanical characterization of soils. The list of tests, the corresponding price list, and the general conditions of the Institute of Earth Sciences can be found in the documents at the bottom of the services section.
The TerraLab SUPSI laboratory collaborates with national and international partners, including:
- Fachhochschule Graubünden, Institut für Bauen im alpinen Raum (IBAR)
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Civil, Building, and Environmental Engineering