The Rise of Automated Systems in Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical engineering is undergoing a transformation through the adoption of automated testing systems. This evolution is not just a progression but a rethinking of traditional methods, leading to new standards in accuracy, efficiency, and safety within the industry.

Historically, the analyses of soil and rock, which are fundamental to construction and civil engineering, were manual, time-consuming, and prone to human error. Automation is revolutionising this field, meeting the increasing demands of modern construction projects with consistent, precise, and reproducible results.

Automated testing systems in geotechnics, provide a leap in the accuracy and uniformity of results. They are designed to streamline test sequences, from basic Oedometer tests to more complex procedures such as Advanced Triaxial tests or Cyclic Simple Shear Tests, reducing the need for constant human intervention. These systems can perform tests continuously without user intervention, significantly reducing overall testing time. Some laboratories reported up to 50% improvement in throughput.

Automated data collection is precise and reliable, reducing the risk of human error and decreasing the labour costs associated with traditional testing methods.

While automation is highly beneficial, manual operation still has its place, especially in educational environments where hands-on experience with equipment is invaluable. Modern systems can accommodate manual operation, offering safety features to protect the apparatus and software modules that cater to a broader range of tests, which can be particularly useful for research and learning purpose

In Conclusion: Embracing Automation in Geotechnical Labs