What is Laboratory testing for the construction industry?

Laboratory testing typically comes after field-testing or exploration and is crucial to ensuring the safety and suitability of construction materials. Construction laboratory analysis also helps construction companies avoid nasty and expensive shocks by highlighting potential risks and assisting engineers in making critical decisions. Without these tests, construction planners and builders would not be able to guarantee that the quality of the construction meets the desired requirements and standards.

Geotechnical laboratory testing is made up of many different tests, including:

• moisture content laboratory testing
• bulk density laboratory testing
• plastic & liquid limit laboratory testing
• particle size distribution and many more.

Terra Tek provides laboratory testing for a wide range of construction companies and other organisations daily. Terra Tek's high-quality lab testing is conducted in our controlled laboratory environment using calibrated equipment.

Certain specifications for different tests, such as temperature and timing requirements, cannot be controlled on-site and, therefore, must be carried out in our lab under controlled test conditions.

Terra Tek tests construction materials for various material types, including soils, rock, and aggregates.

For example:

• Particle Size Distribution (PSD)
• Atterberg Limits
• Particle Density
• Compaction Tests (OMC/MDD)
• Moisture Condition Value (MCV)
• California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
• Chemical Testing
• Triaxial Permeability
• Shearbox Testing
• Effective Stress Testing
• Los Angeles Coefficient
• Magnesium Sulphate Soundness

Why is laboratory testing necessary?

Both laboratory and site testing are vitally important components of construction projects. Test results provide information to enable engineers and designers to make informed decisions during construction project lifecycles.

Terra Tek construction materials testing clients need to be confident that they have the most reliable data on materials beneath their construction projects, including moisture, strength, and potential contamination.

Many technicians in geotechnical labs carry out testing to a high standard but aren't sure why they are carrying out a particular test.

If technicians understand the theory behind the tests carried out, they will improve as technicians, so we incorporate it into our thorough training programs at Terra Tek.

Terra Tek, now part of the SafeLane Global Group, is an integral part of the construction process and has been at the beginning of many new construction projects for over 30 years.

We provide high-quality, reliable test data to effectively contribute to any project, large or small.

If you'd like to know more about Laboratory testing for construction, don't hesitate to contact us. Our Laboratory testing team can help you with all manner of constructions materials testing to keep you safe and compliant.

For more information, please go to our lab testing page.