• Geotechnical Lab – The University of Jordan:

This research group utilizes a well-equipped lab that helps in conducting experiments and research.

The geotechnical lab currently has the following eqiupments:

Humboldt Elite Series Load Frame (model HM-5030).

It is specifically designed for soil testing operations, including:

• Triaxial Compression Tests (UU, CU, and CD): Used to determine the shear strength and stress-strain characteristics of soil samples under different confining pressures (Unconsolidated-Undrained, Consolidated-Undrained, and Consolidated-Drained).
  
   
• Unconfined Compression (UC) Test: Measures the unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soils.

Humboldt HM-5250 Digital Triaxial/Back Pressure Volume Controller

• It's a key component for Triaxial Shear Strength Testing on soil samples. It precisely and independently controls the cell pressure (σ₃) and the back pressure (which saturates the specimen and allows for pore pressure measurement). It uses digital pumps and volume measurement systems to maintain pressure and monitor the change in volume of water during consolidation and saturation phases.

Humboldt HM-415-4 4-Cell Auto-Control Panels

This is an auxiliary panel that distributes and regulates the air pressure from a central source (often a compressor, not shown) to the pressure/volume controllers. It features gauges and valves to set the overall system air pressure and ensure the water reservoirs (like the de-aired water tank) are operating correctly. It controls pressures for up to four individual test cells.

Matest SHEARTRONIC Direct Shear Machine

The primary utilization of the Direct Shear Machine is to determine the shear strength parameters of a soil specimen: the angle of internal friction (φ) and cohesion (c).

Matest EDOTRONIC Consolidation Apparatus (Oedometer)

The primary utilization is to perform the One-Dimensional Consolidation Test (Oedometer Test) on saturated, fine-grained soils (clays and silts). This test is fundamental for geotechnical design as it determines two critical properties:

1. Compressibility: How much the soil will settle under a given load.
2. Rate of Consolidation: How fast that settlement will occur.
   
   Key Parameters Determined:

• Compression Index (C_c): Used to calculate the magnitude of primary settlement.
• Coefficient of Consolidation (C_v): Used to calculate the time required for settlement to occur.
• Pre-Consolidation Pressure (σʹ_p): The maximum effective stress the soil has experienced in its past, which is vital for understanding the soil's history and predicting its future behavior.

Converted Environmental Chamber or Freeze-Thaw Durability Chamber

While standard refrigerators simply maintain a constant low temperature, the connected Process Controller/Temperature Controller (EMKO-7730) is used to perform cyclic environmental tests.

• Freeze-Thaw Cycles: The primary use in geotechnical engineering labs is to test the durability and performance loss of materials when subjected to repeated freezing and thawing.
• The external controller precisely regulates the temperature cycles, ensuring the material is repeatedly frozen to a low temperature and then thawed to a warmer temperature over a specific period, simulating real-world climate conditions. This is essential for material testing in cold regions.

• Softwares

A. Finite Element Method (FEM) Software

These are the most powerful tools for complex soil-structure interaction and non-linear analysis.

• PLAXIS 2D / PLAXIS 3D (by Seequent/Bentley):
• Utilization: The industry leader for advanced deformation and stability analysis. It's used for ​tunnels, deep excavations, foundations, and soil-structure interaction. It excels at modeling construction stages, constitutive soil models, and groundwater flow.
• Python Integration: PLAXIS offers a Python scripting interface (Remote Scripting API) that allows engineers to automate workflows, run sensitivity analyses (many calculations with varying parameters), and post-process results using Python libraries like NumPy and Matplotlib.
• RS2 / RS3 (by Rocscience):
• Utilization: Powerful 2D (RS2) and 3D (RS3) FEM software primarily used for underground excavations, slopes, and foundation design. It is very popular in rock mechanics but also widely used for soil applications like embankments and consolidation.
• Python Integration: Rocscience programs also support scripting and automation via Python for complex parametric studies.

B. Limit Equilibrium and Specialized Analysis

These programs are used for traditional stability analysis methods.

• GeoStudio (by Seequent/Bentley):
• SUITE (SLOPE/W, SEEP/W, SIGMA/W): A comprehensive suite where SLOPE/W is the industry-standard for slope stability analysis using the Limit Equilibrium Method (e.g., Bishop, Janbu). SEEP/W is for groundwater flow, and SIGMA/W is for stress/deformation.
• GEO5 (by Fine Software):
• Utilization: A modular suite covering standard geotechnical tasks like settlement analysis, retaining walls, shallow and deep foundations, and slope stability. It's known for its user-friendly interface and adherence to various design codes.
• FLAC / FLAC3D (by Itasca):
• Utilization: Uses the Finite Difference Method (FDM), which is particularly strong for modeling large strains, dynamic/earthquake analysis, and failure processes in soil and rock.​