The hydraulic loading frame in our lab applies a steady 0.05 inches per minute to a compacted soil specimen. A proving ring and dial gauge capture penetration resistance at 0.1-inch increments. In Escondido, where decomposed granite and alluvial silts meet urban infill, this test tells us exactly how much load the subgrade can carry before it shears. We run the Laboratory CBR test on samples compacted to the moisture and density specs you expect on site, so the number on the report reflects real field conditions, not idealized lab curves. For pavement projects that cross flexible pavement design thresholds, having a local lab that understands Escondido's mixed geology means fewer overdesign surprises and fewer contractor change orders down the road.
A soaked CBR of 4 versus 6 can remove two inches of asphalt from a pavement section in Escondido without shortening its design life.
