Agencies
Services
Heather Shoup
Central Office Geotechnical Engineer
Bureau of Materials
Office of Highways Project Implementation
Soils
Focus areas include testing, acceptance and approval for embankments, foundations, mechanically stabilized earth walls, modification of soils, and soil stabilization. Other focus areas include calibration, maintenance, leak testing, and repair/modification of nuclear density and asphalt content gauges.
Policy Memorandums
Links below will take you directly to the policy memorandum with specific information explaining the process to become a producer/supplier for the material listed in the title.
Laboratory/Field Test Procedures
There are currently no laboratory or field test procedures on the internet. Illinois Modified AASHTO T 267, T 288, T 289, T 290, and T 291 have been incorporated into the December 1, 2017, Manual of Test Procedures for Materials
Links below will take you directly to the form listed in the title. These forms are provided as tools to ensure that the correct data is supplied to IDOT when submitting samples.
- Dynamic Cone Penetration Test BMPR SL30
- Field Soil Compaction – Nuclear (formerly MI701N) BMPR MI701N
- Hydrometer Analysis of Soils BMPR SL22
- IBR Worksheet BMPR SL17
- Limit Test Data and PI BMPR SL23
- Moisture-Density Worksheet BMPR SL02
- Rock Core Log BBS 138
- Shelby Tube Test Results BMPR SL24
- Sieve Analysis Worksheet BMPR SL01
- Soil Boring Log BBS 137
- Soil Test Data Sheet BMPR 508A
- Specific Gravity Worksheet BMPR SL28
- Static Cone Penetration Test BMPR SL31
- Strain Controlled Unconfined Compression Test BMPR SL25
- Summary Report on Pavement, Base and Sub-Base Design BMPR 507A
- Water Content and Density Data Sheet BMPR SL26
Training is required for Soils Field Testing and Inspection (S-33), please contact Heather.Shoup@illinois.gov to find out more about when the class is offered.
IDOT conducts specialized testing on MSE Retaining Wall Backfill, but also approves external laboratories to perform the prescreening tests on its behalf. These external laboratories are shown on the Approved List of Laboratories to Perform Resistivity Tests.
If you would like to become an approved lab please contact the department for additional instructions.
Guides/Spreadsheets
For information on geotechnical design guides and spreadsheet for structures, please navigate to the Consultant Resources webpage where they can be found in the Foundations & Geotechnical drop-down listings located about half-way down the “Specific Scope of Services” list under the Bridges & Structures tab.
Material Specific Information
There is currently no material specific information
Specifications
Manuals
- All Geotechnical Manual Users (AGMU) Memorandums
- Geotechnical Manual
- Manual for Materials Inspection
- Manual of Test Procedures for Materials (revised 12/1/22)
- Manual of Test Procedures for Materials 2023 (revised 12/1/23)
- Manual of Test Procedures for Materials 2024 (revised 12/1/24)
- Manual of Test Procedures for Materials 2025 (revised 12/1/25)
- Illinois Modified AASHTO T 26 (Effective 4/22/25)
- Subgrade Stability Manual
Stay Connected
You can subscribe and receive updates related to Materials Guides and Manuals through IDOT's Subscription Services page.
Contact Us
Heather Shoup
Central Office Geotechnical Engineer
Bureau of Materials
Office of Highways Project Implementation