Soil and Rock Testing
MATLAB Materials Laboratory is a licensed soil testing laboratory in Phnom Penh serving geotechnical consultants, contractors and developers across Cambodia. We run the full geotechnical testing programme in-house: classification, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), consolidation, direct shear and triaxial testing on soil, plus unconfined compressive strength, point load and Brazilian tests on rock core.
Every test is performed to a named ASTM, AASHTO, BS 1377 or ISRM method and reported with the standard on the certificate, so results are accepted by supervising engineers on government, private and donor-funded projects. Samples can be delivered to the laboratory in Sen Sok or collected by our own site investigation crews, which keeps the chain of custody with one team from borehole to report.
Soil tests
| Test | Method |
|---|---|
| Moisture content | ASTM D2216 |
| Soil classification (USCS) | ASTM D2487 |
| Sieve / particle size analysis | ASTM D6913 / AASHTO T88 |
| Hydrometer analysis | ASTM D7928 |
| Specific gravity of soil solids | ASTM D854 / AASHTO T100 |
| Atterberg limits (LL, PL, PI) | ASTM D4318 / AASHTO T89, T90 |
| Standard and modified Proctor compaction | ASTM D698 / D1557 |
| California Bearing Ratio (CBR) | ASTM D1883 / AASHTO T193 |
| Unconfined compressive strength | ASTM D2166 |
| Direct shear | ASTM D3080 |
| Consolidation (oedometer) | ASTM D2435 |
| Triaxial UU / CU / CD | ASTM D2850 / D4767 / BS 1377-8 |
Rock tests
| Test | Method |
|---|---|
| Density, porosity and absorption | ASTM D7263 / D6473 |
| Rock UCS and triaxial strength | ASTM D7012 |
| Point load strength index | ISRM / ASTM D5731 |
| Brazilian tensile strength | ASTM D3967 |
| Direct shear of discontinuities | ASTM D5607 |
| Fly ash bulk density and specific gravity | ASTM C29 / C188 |
Fixed-price packages for earthworks
- Embankment and subgrade material: grain size, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, moisture content, modified Proctor, CBR.
- Subbase material: as subgrade, plus Los Angeles abrasion.
- Base course material: as subbase, plus unit weight.
Who uses this service
Geotechnical consultants sizing foundations and retaining structures, road contractors seeking layer approval from the supervising engineer, developers needing soil parameters for piling and ground improvement, and infrastructure programmes requiring independent, licensed results.
How it works
- Quotation: send the specification clause or test list; the quotation names each standard and unit price.
- Sampling: deliver samples to #271, Street 1964, Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, or book our crew for site sampling anywhere in Cambodia.
- Testing and report: tests are run to the named method and the signed report is issued on completion, with results against the specified limits.
Why contractors and consultants choose MATLAB
- MLMUPC General Construction Laboratory License No. 0001, the first issued in Cambodia, and CANC registration GDAC-RCAB/0025/2026.
- Transparent pricing: every quotation names the test standard and unit price; 232 priced items on the 2026 schedule.
- Soil, rock and aggregate tested under one roof with the drilling crew that sampled them.
- Khmer, English and Chinese speaking engineers for site meetings and report queries.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil test cost in Cambodia?
Prices are per test and listed on our 2026 schedule; a quotation names the standard and unit price for each item. Fixed-price packages are available for embankment, subgrade, subbase and base course material. Request a quotation for a priced list.
What is a CBR test and when is it needed?
The California Bearing Ratio test (ASTM D1883 / AASHTO T193) measures the bearing strength of compacted soil or granular material. Road and pavement designs in Cambodia normally require CBR values for subgrade, subbase and base layers before layer approval.
Which soil tests are needed for a building foundation?
A typical foundation programme includes classification and Atterberg limits, moisture content, unit weight, unconfined compressive strength or triaxial strength, and consolidation for settlement. The exact scope is set by the geotechnical engineer; we test to the scope and standards specified.
Do you collect samples from site?
Yes. Our drilling and field crews mobilise nationwide, priced by distance band up to 600 km, and return every sample to our laboratory in Phnom Penh.
Request a quotation
Call +855 11 922 823, email contact@imecskh.com or request a quotation online. Laboratory: #271, Street 1964, Phum Poung Peay, Sangkat Phnom Penh Thmei, Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh. Khmer, English and Chinese spoken.