Clay barriers and bentonite testing
Engineered Clay Barriers are designed based on the safety functions providing the necessary long-term containment and isolation and cost-effective engineering solutions.
Laboratory for testing of clay materials and engineered clay barriers
Our laboratory is specialized in testing of clay material characteristics, especially of bentonite and performance of engineered clay barriers. Examples of our standard laboratory measurements on clays are:
- Cation exchange capacity (spectrophotometric, internal standard)
- Specific density (volumetric, internal standard)
- Swelling index (ASTM D 5890 – 11)
- Swelling pressure (constant volume, internal standard)
- Hydraulic conductivity (constant volume internal standard based on ASTM D 5084-03, or under load, internal standard)
- Suction (using psychrometer and/or hygrometer, internal standard)
- Water retention curve (internal standard)
- Uniaxial compression test (based on ASTM D 2166-06, internal standard)
- Tensile strength (beam test, internal standard)
- Consolidation (internal standard)
- Thermal conductivity (based on ASTM 5334-14, internal standard)
Performance Testing of Clay Barriers – Tailored Research to Meet Your Needs
Our laboratory offers comprehensive capabilities for testing the performance of clay barriers across a wide range of scales – from millimeter-level samples to structures spanning several meters. We have extensive experience in investigating phenomena and processes occurring within clay barriers, including wetting, swelling, compaction, erosion, freeze–thaw cycles, chemical and mineralogical transformations and homogenization. In addition, we analyze how various factors – such as groundwater flow rate, piping or elevated temperature – influence the properties and overall performance of clay barriers.
All tests are conducted in custom-designed systems tailored to the client’s requirements, ensuring reliable and actionable results to support design and decision-making.
About us
Our expertise in clay materials and barrier testing is built on decades of collaboration with nuclear waste management organizations. We also provide testing services for bentonite producers, distributors, and end-users, including industrial and mining companies.
The Bentonite Testing and Clay Barriers Unit at Mitta Oy operates under an ISO 9001-certified quality management system and an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system. Our Vantaa facility offers analysis and testing services for the construction industry and building renovation projects. The laboratory is accredited according to ISO 17025 (T354).
Our environmental policy
We are committed to develop environmental responsibility goals and to enhance sustainable development.
We follow legally binding obligations and environmental obligations of our customers, but we also recognize our opportunities to influence the sustainability of the built environment with respect to health, safety, and ecology beyond requisitions.
We proactively support our customers in achieving their environmental goals. We offer our customers services and solutions that promote the sustainable development of the environment and the built environment. We propose technical solutions that have the least possible impacts on human health and the environment.
We are committed to the continuous improvement of our environmental management system to improve the level of environmental protection. We consider the environmental aspects of our operations and strive to reduce our adverse environmental impacts. We expect our staff to be committed for achieving our environmental goals. We communicate environmental issues to customers and other stakeholders.