Construction Materials Laboratory Testing

Our laboratory construction materials tests form the backbone of our materials testing lab and are the majority of the tests we perform in the lab. Most of the material properties we (or the client) need can be obtained through performing a combination of the tests listed below. 
In order to obtain accurate material information, it is important to obtain representative samples of the materials being tested. There are various standards that describe the sampling process in detail and we would be happy to discuss this with you should you wish to bring in samples for testing. We are also happy to collect samples for you

The lists below gives the ASTM standard (where applicable) for each of the construction materials tests we perform, broken down into different types of construction materials. Should you wish a test or require an answer that does not appear to be satisfied by the below tests, we would be happy to discuss other available tests that we can perform or design for you.

Soils

We perform the following tests to evaluate various material properties of soil.
  • Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass (ASTM D2216)
  • Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils (ASTM D4318)
  • Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates (ASTM C136)
  • Standard Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes (ASTM D5268)
  • Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis (ASTM D6913)
  • Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils (ASTM D2974)
  • Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils (ASTM D422)
  • Standard Test Method for Permeability of Granular Soils (Constant Head) (ASTM D2434)
  • Standard Test Methods for Determining the Amount of Material Finer than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Soils by Washing (ASTM D1140)
  • Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Density (Unit Weight) of Soil Specimens (ASTM D7263)
  • Standard Test Methods for Frost Heave and Thaw Weakening Susceptibility of Soils (ASTM D5918)
  • Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (ASTM D698)
  • Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer (ASTM D854)
  • Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (ASTM D1557)


Aggregate and Rock

We perform the following tests to evaluate rock/aggregate quality and durability.

  • Standard Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate (ASTM C88)
  • Plastic Fines in Graded Aggregates and Soils by Use of the Sand Equivalent Test (AASHTO T176)
  • Aggregate Durability (Degradation) Index (AASHTO T210/ATM T313)
  • Standard Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates for Concrete (ASTM C295)
  • Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate (ASTM C127)
  • Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock for Erosion Control Under Freezing and Thawing Conditions (ASTM D5312)
  • Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine Aggregate (ASTM C128)
  • Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Durability of Rock for Erosion Control Under Wetting and Drying Conditions (ASTM D5313)
  • Standard Test Method for Bulk Density (Unit Weight) and Voids in Aggregate (ASTM C29)
  • Standard Practice for Evaluation of Rock to be Used for Erosion Control (ASTM D4992)
  • Standard Test Method for Determining the Percentage of Fractured Particles in Coarse Aggregate (ASTM D5821)
  • Method Of Testing Stone for Expansive Breakdown on Soaking in Ethylene Glycol (COE CRD-C 148)
  • Standard Test Method for Flat Particles, Elongated Particles, or Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate (ASTM D4791)
  • Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Intact Rock Core Specimens (Brazilian Test) (ASTM D3967)
  • Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine (ASTM C131)
  • Standard Test Methods for Compressive Strength and Elastic Moduli of Intact Rock Core Specimens under Varying States of Stress and Temperatures (ASTM D7012)
  • Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Large-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine (ASTM C535)


Concrete and Masonry

We perform the following tests to evaluate the properties of concrete in the field at the time of placement, and also in the laboratory. Samples collected in the field are bought back to the lab where, prior to strength testing, they are stored in our custom built, temperature controlled curing room that maintains 100% humidity.

  • Standard Practice for Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens (ASTM C617)
  • Standard Practice for Use of Unbonded Caps in Determination of Compressive Strength of Hardened Concrete Cylinders(ASTM C1231)
  • Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens (ASTM C39)
  • Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading) (ASTM C78)


Asphalt

We perform the following tests to evaluate asphalt properties in the laboratory and verify in-place properties at construction sites.

  • Standard Practice for Preparation of Bituminous Specimens Using Marshall Apparatus (ASTM D6926)
  • Standard Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Non-Absorptive Compacted Bituminous Mixtures (ASTM D2726)
  • Standard Test Method for Asphalt Content of Hot-Mix Asphalt by Ignition Method /ASTM D6307)
  • Standard Test Method for Mechanical Size Analysis of Extracted Aggregate (ASTM D5444)
  • Standard Test Method for Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures (ASTM D2041/AASHTO T209)

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