Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Precision Geotechnical Testing Instruments for Soil and Rock Analysis
Since 1969, Handy Geotechnical Instruments has pioneered innovative solutions for geotechnical testing, delivering precision instruments that enable rapid in situ strength measurements of soils and rocks. Our team of engineers and researchers, including President Jeramy Ashlock and Vice President Steve Claussen, combines decades of academic and field expertise to address complex geotechnical challenges. Our patented technologies, such as the Borehole Shear Tester and Ko Stepped Blade, are trusted by professionals worldwide for their accuracy and efficiency in critical applications like landslide prevention and foundation stability. We maintain rigorous quality standards through continuous collaboration with academic institutions and industry leaders, ensuring our tools meet the evolving needs of geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists.Our commitment to technical excellence is reflected in our contributions to major infrastructure projects, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and our instruments' role in saving millions in landslide repair costs. By focusing on direct, real-time data collection, we empower clients to make informed decisions that enhance safety and reduce project risks. Our dedication to advancing geotechnical science is further demonstrated through publications and partnerships that promote best practices in soil and rock testing. With headquarters in Ames, Iowa, we serve clients across the United States, providing equipment that combines cutting-edge automation with proven manual methodologies for diverse geological conditions.
Services
Borehole Shear Tester
Rock Borehole Shear Tester
Ko Stepped Blade
Air Jet Soil Disperser
Automated Borehole Shear Tester
Details
- Year established: 1969
Highlights and features
- We offer patented instruments developed through academic-industry collaboration since 1969
- Our tools provide direct, real-time soil/rock strength measurements without sample disturbance
- Proven track record in major infrastructure projects like the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
- Specialized equipment for both manual and automated testing in diverse geological conditions
- Technical team includes PhD-certified experts in geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics
Services
Borehole Shear Tester
The Borehole Shear Tester measures soil cohesion and internal friction through direct in situ testing. This patented device applies controlled lateral pressure to soil walls, tracking stress-deflection relationships to determine shear strength parameters. Ideal for geotechnical engineers assessing foundation stability and landslide risks in cohesive soils and sands.
Rock Borehole Shear Tester
Designed for fractured rock formations, this tool measures cohesion and friction angles in situ. The rotating shear head with carbide teeth engages uneven surfaces, providing rapid strength assessments for tunnel design and mine safety applications. Particularly effective in weak rocks like shale and weathered granite where traditional coring fails.
Ko Stepped Blade
This instrument directly measures lateral soil stress through a stepped blade system. By quantifying horizontal pressure at multiple depths, it identifies stress history anomalies that indicate potential soil collapse or expansion risks. Essential for evaluating retaining wall stability and slope failure precursors in both cohesive and granular soils.
Air Jet Soil Disperser
The Air Jet Disperser optimizes grain-size analysis by efficiently breaking down soil aggregates. Using controlled air pressure, it disperses samples directly in sedimentation cylinders without transfer, preserving particle integrity. Particularly effective for challenging clays while minimizing degradation of fragile particles like mica during laboratory analysis.
Automated Borehole Shear Tester
This system adds full automation to traditional borehole shear testing. Preprogrammed stress sequences generate real-time graphs of stress-deflection curves and shear envelopes, automatically calculating cohesion, friction angle, and R2 values. Ideal for projects requiring standardized testing protocols and digital data documentation in glacial till and similar formations.
People
Jeramy Ashlock
President
Dr. Jeramy Ashlock leads technical innovation at Handy Geotechnical Instruments, applying his PhD in Civil Engineering to advance soil testing methodologies. With 15+ years of academic and field experience, he specializes in developing instruments that bridge laboratory precision with on-site practicality for geotechnical applications.
Steve Claussen
Vice President
Steve Claussen oversees operations and product development, leveraging 20 years of engineering experience in geotechnical instrumentation. His expertise in mechanical design and field testing ensures equipment reliability across diverse geological conditions, from soft clays to fractured rock formations.
Shelina Ashlock
Secretary-Treasurer
Shelina Ashlock manages financial operations and business strategy, bringing 12 years of corporate finance experience to support the company's technical mission. Her background in resource management ensures sustained investment in research and development for next-generation geotechnical tools.
Questions
What makes your Borehole Shear Tester different from traditional lab testing?
Our tester provides direct in situ measurements without soil disturbance, offering faster results and preserving natural soil conditions compared to laboratory sample analysis.
Can the Rock Borehole Shear Tester handle weak rock formations?
Yes, it's specifically designed for fractured or weak rocks where traditional coring methods fail, providing accurate strength measurements in materials like shale and weathered granite.
How does the Ko Stepped Blade improve soil stress analysis?
It directly measures lateral stress at multiple depths through a stepped blade system, revealing stress history anomalies that indicate potential soil collapse or expansion risks.
What advantage does the Air Jet Disperser offer for soil analysis?
It combines pre-soaking and dispersion in one container with controlled air pressure, reducing sample transfer steps while maintaining particle integrity during grain-size analysis.
Is automated testing available for borehole shear analysis?
Yes, our Automated Borehole Shear Tester offers one-button operation with digital documentation of stress-deflection curves and automatic calculation of key geotechnical parameters.
