Laboratory Testing

 

Construction Materials Laboratory Services

Sound laboratory testing is a core DEM value.  Our laboratory maintains the highest degree of certification and accreditation for equipment,methodology, quality control, and technical training.  We are inspected by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) through their Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory (AMRL) inspection and certification programs.  These inspection and certification agencies oversee testing of aggregate, concrete, masonry, asphalt, and steel.  In addition, we are certified by Caltrans as a construction materials testing facility, and by the City of San Diego as a materials testing and special inspection agency. 

All laboratory testing is performed under the direct technical supervision of Mr. Davis, a registered Civil Engineer with 14 years of experience overseeing construction materials testing operations.  100% of our laboratory technicians are certified through various agencies such as the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) and the National Masonry Association (NMA) to ensure that proper laboratory techniques and methodology are followed at all times.  We take pride in knowing that we employ the best laboratory personnel to conduct all of your construction materials testing.  A sample of the laboratory tests offered by DEM is listed below.  A more comprehensive list specific to your project can be furnished upon request.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LABORATORY SERVICES:

• Asphalt and Concrete Mix Designs
• Field Density Testing of Compacted Pavement Mix
• Laboratory Determination of Density for Asphalt
• Ignition Oven Determinations of Various Types of Asphalt Binder Contents
• Hveem Stability (S-Value) Determinations for AsphaltConcrete
• R-Value
• Asphalt and Concrete Coring
• Aggregate Quality/Qualification Testing
• Sand Equivalent and Durability Tests
• Cleanness Value of Aggregate
• Concrete and Masonry Compression Testing
• Concrete Flexural Strength Testing
• Masonry Conformance
• Concrete Shrinkage
• Dry Density of Spray Applied Fire-Resistive Material
• Mechanical Properties of Reinforcing Steel
• Mechanical Properties of Steel Strand

 

Geotechnical Laboratory Services

DEM strives to accurately assess the geologic conditions of your anticipated project site by providing definitive geotechnical laboratory testing by our team of laboratory technicians.  Because of the complexity of testing required for a geotechnical investigation, every member on our laboratory staff holds certification through Caltrans and/or the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) to ensure proper laboratory techniques and methodology are performed at all times.  Our laboratory staff and equipment is inspected by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) through their AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory inspection and certification program.  DEM has the capability to accurately assess soil properties or determine strength parameters that are key to site characterization, foundation design, slope stability analysis, retaining wall analysis, settlement analysis, and liquefaction potential.

DEM also provides geotechnical laboratory testing during grading and soil improvement operations.  Our laboratory uses the latest equipment that will assure fast and accurate results to supplement backfill and other compaction operations, stabilization operations, pavement operations, and identification of expansive or collapsible material.  A sample of the geotechnical laboratory tests offered by DEM is listed below.  A more comprehensive list specific to your project can be furnished upon request.

 GEOTECHNCAL LABORATORY SERVICES:

• Soil Classification
• Determination of Moisture Content
• R-Value Testing
• Compaction Characteristics
• Expansion Index
• Hydrometer Analysis
• Unconfined Compressive Strength
• Atterberg Limits
• Specific Gravity
• Sieve Analysis
• Organic Content of Soils
• Shear Strength
• Consolidation