Construction Materials Testing
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AGGREGATE CRUSHING / PRODUCTION CONTROL
WesTest provides technicians and equipment to perform gradations and physical property tests of material being crushed, screened and washed for use in asphalt, Portland cement concrete, crushed aggregate base course or for general construction. We can also monitor aggregate specific gravity, angularity and hardness to ensure the material being stockpiled is consistent.
Our technicians can also determine the asphalt binder content and gradations as Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is being processed. These tests can be performed at the aggregate production facility or samples can be sent to our laboratory for analysis. Test results can be input into quality control charts and statistically analyzed using averages and standard deviations. Aggregate statistics can be used to determine the probability any single sample from a stockpile will meet specifications.
FOUNDATION OBSERVATION
WesTest provides engineers to monitor and verify foundation construction, including:
- Footing and pad dimensions
- Caisson construction
- Reinforcing steel placement
Caisson observation includes verifying construction meets the specifications for proper diameter, penetration into competent bedrock, total depth, plumb and properly dewatered.
CONCRETE TESTING
WesTest provides ACI certified technicians to provide on-site concrete testing. Testing includes determining the slump, air content, unit weight, temperature, casting compressive strength cylinders or flexural strength beams and ensuring initial curing conditions meet specification criteria. Water/cement ratio and yield are also calculated. Air content is determined by the pressure method for normal and heavy weight concrete and is determined volumetrically for lightweight concrete.
For large projects we can provide sealed heated water tanks for curing cylinders or beams on-site and maintain the required 60º to 80ºF temp during initial cure and 73º F for long term curing.
WesTest also has ACI certified Concrete Transportation Construction Inspectors to monitor that proper placement and construction methods are used during construction.
Ready Mixed Concrete Production Facilities Inspection
WesTest has National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) qualified inspectors available to inspect ready mixed concrete facilities, including delivery fleets, required by some Federal and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers specifications.
WesTest provides certified technicians to perform compaction testing using nuclear density gauges.
Our technicians work with production personnel to establish compaction equipment roller patterns to help obtain the required density.
Cores are taken to determine the actual in-place density and correlate nuclear density gauges to the specific mix, thickness and supporting characteristics of the material being tested.
- Aggregate moisture content
- Asphalt binder content
- Aggregate gradations
- Volumetric testing
- Theoretical maximum specific gravity determination
The volumetric testing, which determines laboratory compacted bulk specific gravity and calculates percent air voids and percent voids in mineral aggregate, can be done with either the Superpave gyratory compactor or Marshall compaction equipment.
Marshall Stability and flow can also be determined. We can also test the individual stockpile materials being used at the plant for:
- Gradation
- Specific gravity
- Angularity
- Plasticity
- Moisture
Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) can also be included in the testing for asphalt binder content, gradation and moisture. Our experienced technicians provide test results to production personnel in a timely manner so adjustments can be made, if necessary.
REINFORCING STEEL INSPECTION
We inspect reinforcing steel in footings, caissons, slabs and walls prior to concrete placement. The inspections are done to verify compliance with the plans and specifications. We verify rebar size, grade, quantity, spacing, overlap and cover versus requirements.
SOIL COMPACTION TESTING AND MOISTURE CONTROL
Our technicians are experienced in providing quality control and assurance ranging from checking the subgrade prior to placement of the next pavement layer, to testing embankment construction for large civil projects.
Soil density and moisture determination can be done using nuclear or sand cone methods. Proper control of percent compaction, along with verifying proper moisture content, is critical to controlling settlement and swell.
SOIL STABILIZATION AND CHEMICAL VERIFICATION TESTING
We can design lime, fly ash and cement stabilized soil and soil/aggregate mixtures. During construction, we can verify the percentage of stabilization chemical and depth of treatment meets project specifications.