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Mr. Efthymios Apostolou and Dr. Andrew J. Brennan from the Civil Engineering department of the University of Dundee, planned to carry to out some advanced physical modelling techniques in the Universities centrifuge. However, before using large amounts of soil in a centrifuge model and testing it under earthquake motions, it is necessary to test the material under shearing to check its behaviour, in particular liquefaction.

GDS’ equipment has been used in China for over two decades. With more than 160 active users, 330 systems in the field and over 500 published papers (using GDS' apparatus), GDS have established themselves as the first choice for geotechnical testing apparatus in China.

Friday the 18th of November saw staff at GDS, wear fancy dress for the day, to raise money for charity. Costumes included, Luke Skywalker, Convicts, Sailors & Spiderman to name a few. Thank you to all those who took part, the money raised will be donated to a local charity chosen by GDS. 

As part of a European research programme (HYDRATECH), a specially designed Resonant Column Apparatus (RCA) was constructed by GDS Instruments for the University of Southampton, to provide conditions suitable for hydrate growth (low temperature and high pressure).

GDS exhibited alongside their Canadian representatives Hoskin Scientific, at the recent GeoVancouver conference on "History & Innovation".

GDS are excited to launch their new range of hydraulic load frames for soil & rock testing. The range is available from 100kN to 1.5MN, encompassing our latest design and technology.

Marine soft clay with weak engineering properties, is widely distributed in Southeast China. As the most developed area in China, Zhejiang has a vast transportation infrastructure including highways, roads, railways and airport runways which have been constructed on the marine clay. With long-term vehicle loading, excess settlement tends to occur on the existing infrastructure. In order to reveal these effects on the marine clay caused by vehicle loading, and to predict future settlement, research was undertaken by Wenzhou University.

GDS held a coffee and cake fund raiser this month, with over £150 being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support. The morning included a cake making competition which, was won by Jeff Gray from our design team. Well done Jeff and all those who contributed to the morning.

September has been a month of exhibitions for GDS. With exhibitions in Australia, Germany and France, read how the team got on below.

The stress path test is commonly used to simulate the changing mechanical properties of soils, whilst under varying stresses. Research in this area, within China and abroad has gradually increased. The static triaxial apparatus based on the Bishop Wesley principle is widely accepted. However, in reality, the stress change of soil is usually accompanied by changes in the environment.