Construction

Materials

Testing

Soil Consultants, Inc. provides construction materials testing for quality assurance and for quality control purposes. Materials testing services are provided via field observations, monitoring and testing and via laboratory testing in our AASHTO-accredited facility. 

Our services are performed to:

  • Verify properties and/or performance of an in situ or provided material,
  • Qualify materials for use,
  • Monitor placement of construction materials,
  • Monitor quality of batch operations,
  • Monitor conformance of placed materials with project specifications, and
  • Perform special inspections required by building codes.

We perform laboratory testing on the following materials:

We provide the following field services and field testing:

Our technical staff are well-trained in field and laboratory testing and inspection methods. Our staff hold certifications from state and national accrediting agencies including:

  • ACI:               American Concrete Institute
  • AWS:             American Welding Society
  • ICC:                International Code Council
  • NICET:           National Institute for Certification of Engineering Technologists
  • SCDHEC:       South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
  • SCDOT:          South Carolina Department of Transportation
  • SCLLR BCC:   South Carolina Building Codes Council
Aggregrate Testing Capabilities
Test Test Short Name and/or Property AASHTO ASTM
Potential Alkali Reactivity of Aggregates (Mortar-Bar Method) Alkali Silica Reactivity C1260
Length Change of Concrete Due to Alkali-Silica Reaction Alkali Silica Reactivity C1293
Potential Alkali-Silica Reactivity of Combinations of Cementitious Materials and Aggregate (Accelerated Mortar-Bar Method) Alkali Silica Reactivity C1567
Uncompacted Void Content of Fine Aggregate Angularity Fine Aggregate T 304
Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate Bulk Density T 19 C29
Clay Lumps and Friable Particles in Aggregate Deleterious Materials T 112 C142
Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine Durability, LA Abrasion T 96 C131
Resistance to Degradation of Large-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine Durability, LA Abrasion C535
Micro-Deval Abrasion Durability, Micro-Deval D6928
Materials Finer Than 75-µm (No.200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing Fines Content T 11 C117
Flat Particles, Elongated Particles, or Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate Flat & Elongated Particles D4791
Percentage of Fractured Particles in Coarse Aggregate Fractured Particles D5821
Iron Staining Materials in Lightweight Concrete Aggregates Iron Staining C641
Lightweight Pieces in Aggregate (coarse and fine) Lightweight Particles T 113 C143
Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying Moisture Content T 255 C566
Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Concrete Organic Impurities T 21 C40
Sand Equivalent Value of Soils and Fine Aggregate Sand Equivalent D2419
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates Sieve/Grain Size T 27 C136
Soundness of Aggregate by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate Soundness T 104 C88
Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate Specific Gravity Coarse Aggregate T 85 C127
Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate Specific Gravity Fine Aggregate T 84 C128
Uncompacted Void Content of Fine Aggregate (as Influenced by Particle Shape, Surface Texture, and Grading) Void Content C1252
Asphalt Testing Capabilities
Test Test Short Name and/or Property AASHTO ASTM
Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures Theoretical Specific Gravity T209 D2041
Quantitative Extraction of Bitumen From Bituminous Paving Mixtures Extraction T164 D2172
Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Non-Absorptive Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Bulk Specific Gravity T166 D2726
Percent Air Voids in Compacted Dense and Open Bituminous Paving Mixtures Percent Air Voids T269 D3203
Mechanical Size Analysis of Extracted Aggregate Gradation T30 D5444
Asphalt Content of Hot-Mix Asphalt by Ignition Method Asphalt Content, Ignition T308 D6307
Preparation of Bituminous Specimens Using Marshall Apparatus Marshall Specimens R68 D6926
Marshall Stability and Flow of Bituminous Mixtures Marshall Stability T245 D6927
Concrete Testing Capabilities
Test Test Short Name and/or Property AASHTO ASTM
Acid-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete Acid Soluble Chloride C1152
Electrical Indication of Concrete’s Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration Chloride Ion C1202
Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete Compressive Strength Cores T24 C42
Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens Compressive Strength Cylinders T22 C39
Compressive Strength of Lightweight Insulating Concrete Compressive Strength Lightweight C495
Estimating Concrete Strength by the Maturity Method Concrete Maturity C1074
Measuring Thickness of Concrete Elements Using Drilled Concrete Cores Core Thickness T148 C174
Measuring Length of Concrete Cores Core Thickness C1542
Determining Density of Structural Lightweight Concrete Density Lightweight C567
Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading) Flexural Strength 3rd Point T97 C78
Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam With Center-Point Loading) Flexural Strength Center Point T177 C293
Density, Absorption, and Voids in Hardened Concrete Hardened Concrete C642
Expansion and Bleeding of Freshly Mixed Grouts for Preplaced-Aggregate Concrete in the Laboratory Laboratory Expansion T158 C940
Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete Length Change Lab Conditions T160 C157
Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory Mix Design R39 C192
Bleeding of Concrete Mixing Water Bleed T158 C232
Slump Flow of Self-Consolidating Concrete Self-Consolidating Concrete T347 C1611
Passing Ability of Self-Consolidating Concrete by J-Ring Self-Consolidating Concrete C1621
Preparing and Testing Specimens from Shotcrete Test Panels Shotcrete C1140
Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores of Shotcrete Shotcrete C1604
Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens Splitting Tensile T198 C496
Measuring Early-Age Compressive Strength and Projecting Later-Age Strength Strength Projection T276 C918
Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration Resistance Time of Setting T197 C403
Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete Water Soluble Chloride C1218
Fireproofing Testing Capabilities
Test Test Short Name and/or Property ASTM
Density of Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM) Applied to Structural Members Density E605
Masonry Testing Capabilities
Test Test Short Name and/or Property AASHTO ASTM
Brick: Absorption Brick T32 C67
Brick: Capping Brick T32 C67
Brick: Compressive Strength Brick T32 C67
Brick: Efflorescence Brick    
Brick: Fire Rating Brick    
Brick: Measurement Brick T32 C67
Brick: Sampling Brick T32 C67
Brick: Specimen Preparation Brick T32 C67
CMU: Absorption CMU C140
CMU: Capping CMU   C140
CMU: Compressive Strength CMU C140
CMU: Efflorescence CMU   C140
CMU: Fire Rating CMU   C140
CMU: Measurement CMU C140
CMU: Sampling CMU C140
CMU: Specimen Preparation CMU   C140
Standard Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry CMU C270
Sampling and Testing Grout Grout Cubes C1019
Flow of Grout for Preplaced-Aggregate Concrete (Flow Cone Method) Grout Flow C939
Measuring Changes in Height of Cylindrical Specimens of Hydraulic-Cement Grout Grout Height Changes C1090
Compressive Strength of Masonry Prisms Grout Prisms C1314
Linear Drying Shrinkage Linear Shrinkage C426
Consistency by Cone Penetration Mortar C780, Annex 1
Mortar Aggregate Ratio Mortar C780, Annex 4
Compressive Strength Mortar C780, Annex 6
Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar Mortar Air Content T137 C185
Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortar Mortar Cubes T106 C109
Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar Mortar Flow C1437
Water Retention of Hydraulic Cement-Based Mortars and Plasters Mortar Water Retention C1506
Metals (Iron and Steel) Testing Capabilities
Test Test Short Name and/or Property AASHTO ASTM
Anchor Bolts: Tension (Elongation) Anchor Bolts F1554-A370
Anchor Bolts: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength of bar stock) Anchor Bolts F1554-A370
Anchor Bolts: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength of finished bolts) Anchor Bolts F1554-F606
Anchor Bolts: Tension (Yield Strength) Anchor Bolts F1554-A370
Metallic Coated Steel Sheet: Mass of Zinc Coating) Coatings: Zinc A653-A90
Metallic Coated Steel Wire Rope: Mass of Zinc Coating) Coatings: Zinc M30-T65 A741-A90
Zinc Coatings on Iron and Steel: Thickness of Zinc (Magnetic) Coatings: Zinc M111 A123-E376
Zinc Coatings on Iron and Steel: Thickness of Zinc (Microscopy) Coatings: Zinc M111 A123
Zinc Coatings on Iron and Steel: Thickness of Zinc (Stripping) Coatings: Zinc M111-T65 A123-A90
Externally Threaded Fasteners (Bolts): Proof Load Determination Fasteners T244 F3125-F606
Externally Threaded Fasteners (Bolts): Rotational Capacity Fasteners F3125
Externally Threaded Fasteners (Bolts): Ultimate Tensile Strength Fasteners T244 F3125-F606
Internally Threaded Fasteners (Nuts): Proof Load Determination Fasteners A563-F606
Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials Hardness – Brinell T70 E10
Leeb Hardness Testing of Steel Products Hardness – Leeb A956
Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials Hardness – Rockwell T80 E18
Headed Steel Bars: Bend Test Headed Steel Bars A970
Headed Steel Bars: Tension (Elongation) Headed Steel Bars A970-A370
Headed Steel Bars: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Headed Steel Bars A970-A370
Headed Steel Bars: Tension (Yield Strength) Headed Steel Bars A970-A370
Gray Iron Castings: Tension (Elongation) Iron Castings M105 A48-E8
Gray Iron Castings: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Iron Castings M105 A48-E8
Gray Iron Castings: Tension (Yield Strength) Iron Castings M105 A48-E8
Low Alloy Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Bend Test Low Alloy Steel Bars M31 A706-E290
Low Alloy Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Tension (Elongation) Low Alloy Steel Bars M31 A706-A370
Low Alloy Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Low Alloy Steel Bars M31 A706-A370
Low Alloy Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Tension (Yield Strength) Low Alloy Steel Bars M31 A706-A370
Low Alloy Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Testing Mechanical Splices Low Alloy Steel Bars M31 A706-A1034
Rail Steel and Axle Steel: Bend Test Rail Steel and Axle Steel M322-T285 A996-E290
Rail Steel and Axle Steel: Tension (Elongation) Rail Steel and Axle Steel M322-T244 A996-A370
Rail Steel and Axle Steel: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Rail Steel and Axle Steel M322-T244 A996-A370
Rail Steel and Axle Steel: Tension (Yield Strength) Rail Steel and Axle Steel M322-T244 A996-A370
Rail Steel and Axle Steel: Testing Mechanical Splices Rail Steel and Axle Steel   A996-A1034
Carbon-Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Bend Test Reinforcing: Carbon Steel M31-T285 A615-E290
Carbon-Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Tension (Elongation) Reinforcing: Carbon Steel M31-T244 A615-A370
Carbon-Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Reinforcing: Carbon Steel M31-T244 A615-A370
Carbon-Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Tension (Yield Strength) Reinforcing: Carbon Steel M31-T244 A615-A370
Carbon-Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Testing Mechanical Splices Reinforcing: Carbon Steel   A615-A1034
Epoxy Coated Reinforcing Bars: Coating Continuity (Holidays) Reinforcing: Epoxy-Coated M284 A775-G62
Epoxy Coated Reinforcing Bars: Coating Flexibility (Bend Test) Reinforcing: Epoxy-Coated M284 A775
Epoxy Coated Reinforcing Bars: Film Thickness) Reinforcing: Epoxy-Coated M284 A775
Steel Strand, Uncoated Seven-Wire: Tension (Elongation) Steel Strand: Uncoated M203-T244 A416-A1061
Steel Strand, Uncoated Seven-Wire: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Steel Strand: Uncoated M203-T244 A416-A1061
Steel Strand, Uncoated Seven-Wire: Tension (Yield Strength) Steel Strand: Uncoated M203-T244 A416-A1061
Metallic Coated Steel Wire Rope: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Steel Wire Rope M30-T244 A741-A370
Deformed Steel Wire: Bend Test Steel Wire: Deformed M225 A1064
Deformed Steel Wire: Tension (Elongation) Steel Wire: Deformed M225-T244 A1064-A370
Deformed Steel Wire: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Steel Wire: Deformed M225-T244 A1064-A370
Deformed Steel Wire: Tension (Yield Strength) Steel Wire: Deformed M225-T244 A1064-A370
Plain Steel Wire: Bend Test Steel Wire: Plain M32 A1064
Plain Steel Wire: Tension (Elongation) Steel Wire: Plain M32-T244 A1064-A370
Plain Steel Wire: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Steel Wire: Plain M32-T244 A1064-A370
Plain Steel Wire: Tension (Yield Strength) Steel Wire: Plain M32-T244 A1064-A370
Welded Deformed Steel Wire: Bend Test Steel Wire: Welded Deformed M221 A1064
Welded Deformed Steel Wire: Tension (Elongation) Steel Wire: Welded Deformed M221-T244 A1064-A370
Welded Deformed Steel Wire: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Steel Wire: Welded Deformed M221-T244 A1064-A370
Welded Deformed Steel Wire: Tension (Yield Strength) Steel Wire: Welded Deformed M221-T244 A1064-A370
Welded Deformed Steel Wire: Weld Shear Steel Wire: Welded Deformed M221 A1064
Welded Plain Steel Wire: Bend Test Steel Wire: Welded Plain M55 A1064
Welded Plain Steel Wire: Tension (Elongation) Steel Wire: Welded Plain M55-T244 A1064-A370
Welded Plain Steel Wire: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Steel Wire: Welded Plain M55-T244 A1064-A370
Welded Plain Steel Wire: Tension (Yield Strength) Steel Wire: Welded Plain M55-T244 A1064-A370
Welded Plain Steel Wire: Weld Shear Steel Wire: Welded Plain M55 A1064
Structural Steel: Bend Test Structural Steel M270-T244
Structural Steel: Tension (Elongation) Structural Steel M270-T244 A709-A6
Structural Steel: Tension (Ultimate Tensile Strength) Structural Steel M270-T244 A709-A6
Structural Steel: Tension (Yield Strength) Structural Steel M270-T244 A709-A6

 

Soil Testing Capabilities
Test Test Short Name and/or Property AASHTO ASTM

Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils

Atterberg

T89, T90

D4318

CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils

CBR

T193

D1883

Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)

Classification

M145

D2487

Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)

Classification

 

D2488

One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading

Consolidation

T216

D2435

pH of Soils

Corrosion

 

D4972

Measuring pH of Soil for Use in Corrosion Testing

Corrosion

T289

G51

Soil Resistivity Using the Two-Electrode Soil Box Method

Corrosion, Resistivity

T288

G187

Amount of Material in Soils Finer than No. 200 (75-μm) Sieve

Fines Content

 

D1140

Particle-Size Analysis of Soils

Gradation

T88

D422

Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis

Gradation

 

D6913

Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Fine-Grained Soils Using the Sedimentation (Hydrometer) Analysis

Gradation, Hydrometer

 

D7928

Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass

Moisture Content

T265

D2216

Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by Microwave Oven Heating

Moisture Content

 

D4643

Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils

Organic Content

T267

D2974

Permeability of Granular Soils (Constant Head)

Permeability

T215

D2434

Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible Wall Permeameter

Permeability

 

D5084

Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort

Proctor

T99

D698

Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort

Proctor

T180

D1557

Moisture-Density (Unit Weight) Relations of Soil-Cement Mixtures

Proctor, Cement-Treated

T134

D558

Shrinkage Factors of Soils by the Wax Method

Shrinkage

 

D4943

Density of Soil In-Place by the Sand Cone Method

Soil

 

D1556

Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer

Specific Gravity

T100

D854

Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Compression Test for Cohesive Soils

Strength, CU

T297

D4767

Direct Shear Test of Soils Under Consolidated Drained Conditions

Strength, Direct Shear

T236

D3080

Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil

Strength, UC Soil

T208

D2166

Compressive Strength of Molded Soil-Cement Cylinders

Strength, UC Soil-Cement

 

D1633

Unconsolidated-Undrained Triaxial Compression Test on Cohesive Soils

Strength, UU

T296

D2850

Field Testing Capabilities
Test Material AASHTO ASTM
In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth) Aggregate, Compaction T310 D6938
Density of Bituminous Concrete in Place by Nuclear Methods Asphalt, Density D2950
Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field Concrete T23 C31
Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete Concrete T24 C42
Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete Concrete R60 C172
Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method Concrete T196 C173
Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method Concrete T152 C231
Penetration Resistance of Hardened Concrete (Windsor Probe) Concrete C803
Rebound Number of Hardened Concrete Concrete C805
Temperature of Freshly Mixed Hydraulic-Cement Concrete Concrete T309 C1064
Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete Concrete T121 C138
Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete Concrete T119 C143
In-Place Density of Unhardened and Hardened Concrete, Including Roller Compacted Concrete, By Nuclear Methods Concrete C1040
Thickness of Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM) Applied to Structural Members Fireproofing E605
Determination of the Cohesive/Adhesive Strength of Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM) in place Fireproofing E736
Sampling and Testing Grout Masonry Grout C1019
Casting Masonry Grout Prisms Masonry Grout C1314
Casting Mortar Cubes for Compressive Strength Mortar C109
Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores of Shotcrete Shotcrete C1604
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Testing Soil, Bearing
In-Place Density and Water Content of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth) Soil, Compaction T310 D6938
Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method Soil, Compaction D2937
One Point Proctor Soil, Compaction
Field Measurement of Soil Resistivity Using the Wenner Four-Electrode Method Soil, Corrosion G57
Field Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil by the Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Tester Soil, Moisture T217 D4944
Field Services
Service Material
Preconstruction Survey
Postconstruction Survey
Asphalt Plant Inspection (SCDOT) Asphalt
Asphalt Mixture Roadway Placement Rate (SCDOT) Asphalt
Asphalt Tack Coat Roadway Placement Rate (SCDOT) Asphalt
Asphalt Target Density using Control Strip (SCDOT) Asphalt
Rolling Pattern Establishment Asphalt
Concrete Plant Inspections and Truck Inspections (NRMCA and SCDOT) Concrete
Floor Flatness and Levelness Survey Concrete
Ground Penetrating Radar Concrete
Post-Installed Adhesive and Mechanical Anchor Installation Inspection Concrete
Stripping Observation Earthwork
Proof rolling Observation Earthwork
Fill Quality and Placement Earthwork
Earthquake Drain Observation Earthwork
Pile Monitoring Installation (timber, concrete, augercast, helical, pier & micropile) Foundations
Vibration Monitoring Foundations
Pile Load Testing (static) Foundations
Pile Testing (high strain) (PDA) Foundations
Thermal Integrity Testing Foundations
Pile Integrity Testing Foundations
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Monitoring SWPPP
Pipe Installation Bedding and Backfill Utilities