MATERIALS TESTING SERVICES

INTRODUCTION CET Infrastructure provides a comprehensive, market-leading materials testing service to UK civil engineering and infrastructure clients. Operating from a nationwide network of regional offices and testing laboratories, CET provides a wide range of testing and inspection services. All services available from out UKAS accredited testing laboratories (UKAS No. 0927) are carried out to the highest industry standards, including the ISO 17025:2005 assessment standard, which is aligned to the management controls defined within ISO 9001. Backed by a highly-regarded technical and professional management team; our focus is on exceeding expectations and always delivering what our clients need. CET testing facilities are strategically located throughout the UK, providing our clients with convenient access to regional laboratories. For larger projects, on-site testing facilities provide faster access to critical results. Early involvement with CET at tender stage can help ensure best use of on-site materials, reduce the cost of imported materials and enable a thorough assessment of the most efficient and appropriate testing model for your project. Approval testing services allow our customers to make the best use of site-won materials and reduce the costs associated with waste disposal. Compliance testing ensures projects meet their obligations and enables optimum use of on-site resources by minimising downtime and avoiding the overworking of materials.

MATERIALS TESTING SERVICES CET offers a range of materials testing services to match any requirement,

With expanding laboratory set-ups located throughout the United

from basic on-site testing to bespoke, mobile UKAS laboratories.

Kingdom, CET has been providing materials testing services to contractors, designers, local authorities and materials suppliers for more

FIELD TESTING CET provides a nationwide sampling and testing service; delivered via our network of highly-qualified engineers. Services include strength testing using plate bearing and California Bearing Ratio CBR techniques, structural assessments, surveying of ground density; including traditional and non-destructive nuclear methods, paint and asbestos surveys. Calling on years of in-depth technical knowledge and understanding, our teams take pride in consistently delivering high-quality field testing services that deliver against detailed contract specifications and standards. On-site testing enables the certification of areas of construction; supporting continued placement and saving both time and money in the long-run. Our field testing services enable our customers to meet and exceed their obligations, ensuring control and compliance on the most demanding of projects. We are happy to provide advice and guidance as to the most appropriate tests to ensure compliance and will recommend cost-effective, bestpractice alternatives where applicable.

than two decades. We conduct tests related to all aspects of construction materials on a daily basis, including earthworks, aggregate, asphalt and concrete testing. Our portfolio of complementary services include structural assessments, pavement inspections and asbestos surveying and quantification.

EARTHWORKS TESTING

CONCRETE TESTING

Earthworks testing from CET covers a wide range of aspects related to

CET offers a wide variety of on and off-site concrete tests on both fresh and

the classification of excavated materials and their suitability for re-use in

hardened concrete. Our teams of experienced technical staff will attend your site

earthworks. With over 30 nuclear density meters in-house, CET is the

and carry out UKAS accredited compliance testing for fresh concrete: • Workability / consistence

largest user of nuclear density meters in the UK. Whether traditional earthworks, stabilised or modified; each of CET’s operational units delivers a comprehensive range of tests, including: • Earthwork suitability and classification • In-situ strength and bearing capacity by CBR / plate bearing techniques • In-situ nuclear density meter surveys • Soil stiffness modulus (LWD Techniques)

• Air Content • Manufacture of concrete cubes, cylinders and beams • Temperature measurement • Fibre content of fresh concrete In addition, we provide the following tests for hardened concrete: • Curing, storage of hardened concrete cubes and cores • Compressive strength of concrete cubes and cores • Flexural strength of concrete beam specimens • Tensile splitting test • Analysis of hardened concrete for mix constituents, cement content and petrographic analysis (by co-operating partner laboratories)

ASPHALT TESTING

STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT

Asphalt testing has been a core component of the CET materials

Our structures department carry out surveys on road and rail structures

testing portfolio since we were first established. One of our original

to assess the overall condition and deterioration of structural concrete

service offerings, it continues to be an important part of our day-to-day

and steel reinforcement. Our experienced teams are expert in visual and

operations.

non-destructive surveys including:

Our technical staff have significant experience and expertise within the

• Investigating the corrosion of reinforcements

asphalt industry and we have established a well-earned reputation as one of the leading service providers in the UK.

• Visual Assessment of structural elements

CET works with surfacing contractors large and small. We treat every

• Half-cell survey for reinforcement corrosion

project with the same degree of service and professionalism, whether it’s a small housing estate road or a major highway infrastructure project. • Nuclear density meter surveys • Surface regularity • Texture and macrotexture analysis • Temperature and materials laying records • Laboratory analysis and compliance • Coring of pavement surfaces • Material analysis and physical properties

• Depth of steel cover using electromagnetic cover meter • Concrete resistivity • Reinforcement mapping using Ferro Scanning techniques • Concrete delamination • Ultrasonic / PUNDIT Crack surveys • Crack surveys using traditional and remote crack monitors • Bridge bash alert by remote devices

PAVEMENT EVALUATION

Our Road, Runway & Pavement Evaluation Services include:

CET provides vital road, runway and pavement evaluation services to the UK critical infrastructure industry.

• Falling Weight Deflectometer Surveying

Our qualitative and quantitative tests range from simple visual condition

• California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Profiling (using DCP techniques)

and surface regularity to CBR profiling using DCP techniques, Falling Weight Deflectometer surveying and the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Our comprehensive surveys and reports provide valuable information on the condition and life expectancy of pavement constructions across the country; supporting informed decision making and making the case for remedial action to maximise the pavement life of the asset. Accurate information on the condition of pavement assets also enables more strategic planning for future works – scheduling maintenance on a priority basis and in the form of a preventative measure, rather than a cure.

• Surface Stiffness Evaluation (lightweight LWD deflectometer) • Visual Condition Surveying • Skid Resistance & Texture Depth Testing • Surface Regularity • Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) • Factual & Interpretive Reporting • Utility & Service Detection

LABORATORY SERVICES CET provides laboratory testing services via a nationwide network of

Other Specialist Laboratory Testing Services available utilising our Testing

UKAS accredited materials testing labs; providing customers from the

Partners with their own relevant UKAS or MCERTS accreditation:

Infrastructure, Engineering and Property markets with rapid access to accurate results.

• Chemical Contamination

CET has Group and Flexible Scope UKAS accreditation which allows

• Specialist Geotechnical Testing

our laboratories to provide customers with comprehensive reports and analysis; aiding quality assurance, compliance and control whilst

• Paint & Heavy Metal Testing

providing vital data to support cost-effective decision making. • Thermoplastic Road Marking Our UKAS Laboratory Testing Services include: • Concrete Testing (Fresh & Hardened) • Soil Classification • Aggregate Physical Properties • Asphalt Analysis • Core Testing (Asphalt & Concrete)

MOBILE UKAS LABORATORIES For major projects, on-site facilities can provide a faster, more costeffective solution for materials testing.CET provides a bespoke, on-site testing service to major infrastructure, construction and engineering projects across the UK using our Mobile UKAS Laboratories. Our mobile laboratory service is a turn-key solution that is developed to meet the specific requirements of your project. Our consultants work closely with our customers to define the scope and scale of the laboratory before designing and deploying the testing facility on site. With CET’s UKAS Flexible Scope Accreditation, a mobile laboratory can provide immediate access to test facilities, analysis and reporting; with additional support available from our occupational health, safety and quality teams. The speed and accuracy of on-site laboratories can generate significant savings in both time and money over the lifecycle of a project. Offering everything from basic soil classification to running surface testing our on-site UKAS laboratories are staffed by fully-qualified engineers & technicians and ensure a responsive, high quality service tailored to your specific project requirements with technical reporting and on-site support and materials advice. Our UKAS mobile laboratories are supported by the CET Structures Ltd Occupational Health, Safety & Quality Department who can assist with the laboratory design, installation and management of the units.

BENEFITS CET provides an integrated, multi-disciplinary ground risk management service. Our geotechnical and environmental consultancy teams are supported by in-house site investigation and materials testing services; an approach that allows us to deliver significant cost and quality benefits to our clients: • Fast an efficient, multi-disciplined testing offering • Experienced in construction and civil engineering projects • Costs are reduced through not procuring or managing investigations from third parties • A single point of contact is provided with the client ensuring effective and efficient communication • Professional engineers and environmental scientists supervise projects ensuring that the scope of investigations is managed to maximise data acquisition whilst minimising costs • By providing investigation and testing from in-house resources and supply chain partners CET are able to maintain control of quality and programme The ground risk management offering is enhanced by provision of drainage and structural investigations, to determine the form of structures and the layout and condition of existing drainage. These services are further supported by paintings and coatings surveys; which enable clients to assess the condition of their assets, prioritise maintenance and ensure specification compliance of any remedial schemes.

EXPERIENCE Since achieving flexible scope accreditation via UKAS, CET has supported

DIRFT 2

a wide range of contracts, both large and small, with UKAS accredited

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal phase 2 (DIRFT2) is a rail-

mobile laboratories. The addition of the UKAS accreditation allows us to

connected 54 hectare expansion of the original DIRFT development in

provide a level of service above and beyond our competitors; delivering

Northamptonshire.

even greater value to our contractor, local authority and consultancy clients.

CROSSRAIL C305 EASTERN RUNNING TUNNELS

The scheme was designed for rail-connected warehousing; allowing transfer between sea and channel tunnel born rail freight and road transport or warehousing. As a part of the development, a rail tunnel was

CET were commissioned to provide two fully-equipped, UKAS accredited

constructed beneath the A5 connecting the expansion with the original

laboratories testing concrete used in the production of the running tunnels.

DIRFT railport.

The scope of works covered a wide range of disciplines associated with

CET were tasked with the delivery and management of a mobile

both the spray concrete used at DSJV’s Limmo Peninsula site beneath the

laboratory to provide a range of earthworks-related tests on the DIRFT 2

streets of London and the pre-cast concrete sections at the production

project.

facility in Kent.

A380 KINGSKERSWELL BY-PASS Our laboratories were set-up and installed, working to UKAS standards,

The South Devon Link Road is a 5.5km dual carriageway, which will

within 6 weeks.

provide a bypass for Kingskerswell. The road bypasses the existing A380 between Newton Abbot and Torbay.

CET has provided a very professional, reliable and flexible testing service that has enabled us to progress confidently with our works. Their approach has allowed us to adapt quickly to programme changes and prevailing site conditions.

CET provide a fully-functional UKAS laboratory on-site, carrying out a range of tests normally associated with a major road by-pass scheme. Working in partnership with Galliford Try / SIAC JV’s Materials Engineer, we worked jointly to create a working laboratory to suit all parties. Our senior team recruited local staff who received training on a range of test disciplines, allowing them to continue to develop within the civil

MARK ALDMAN, DSJV MATERIALS ENGINEER

engineering testing industry once the works have finished.

GLOSSARY FIELD TESTING EARTHWORKS

•

Surface Regularity (Rolling & transverse straightedge)

•

Plate bearing, modulus of elasticity, multi stage plate bearing

•

Surface texture (sand patch)

•

California Bearing Ratio

•

Surface macrotexture (glass beads)

•

In-situ NDM / Compaction survey

•

Coring asphalt surfaces

•

Stiffness Modulus using PRIMA L100 Dynamic Plate

•

Skid resistance (Pendulum PSV)

•

Moisture Condition Value (standard & rapid)

•

Falling Weight Deflectometer

•

Degree of pulverisation

•

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

•

Rate of spread

•

Earthwork sampling

STRUCTURES

•

Sand replacement density

•

Sampling concrete dust by drilling techniques

•

Core cutter density

•

Depth of Carbonation

•

Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

•

Determination of concrete resistivity

•

Location of reinforcement (Cover meter)

•

Half-cell potential of uncoated reinforcing steel

CONCRETE •

Sampling fresh concrete

PAVEMENT INVESTIGATION

•

Manufacture of concrete cubes, beams and cylinders

•

Coring of carriageway surfaces

•

Workability (slump, Compaction factor, flow table)

•

Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

•

Air content

•

Visual inspection of carriageway surfaces

•

Concrete training services (sampling to manufacture)

•

Falling Weight Deflectometer

•

Cutting core specimens

•

Heavy Weight Deflectometer

•

Ground Penetrating Radar

•

Interpretative reporting, including residual life expectancy

ASPHALT / CARRIAGEWAY •

Asphalt laying records and temperatures

•

Nuclear Density Meter Survey

LABORATORY TESTING SOILS

•

Shape Index

•

Moisture / Saturation Moisture Content

•

Assessment of fines (Methylene Blue Test)

•

Particle Size Distribution

•

Constituents of coarse recycled aggregates

•

Plasticity Index (Liquid and Plastic limits)

•

Micro-Deval

•

Chalk Crushing Value

•

Los Angeles Abrasion

•

IDD of chalk

•

Loose bulk density and voids

•

Compaction Studies (2.5kg, 4.5kg & vibrating hammer)

•

Particle Density and water absorption

•

Particle Density

•

Magnesium Sulphate Soundness

•

California Bearing Ratio (CBR)

•

Consolidation Properties (One Dimensional)

BITUMINOUS

•

Large Shear Box

•

Recovery, needle penetration & softening point

•

Determination of the state of desiccation in clay soils

•

Soluble binder and mineral aggregate grading

•

Maximum density

CHEMICAL

•

Bulk density and air void content of core specimens

•

WAC testing

•

Conventional / percentage refusal density

•

TRL Sulphate suites (WS, OS & TPS)

•

Hot sand test for adhesivity on pre-coated chippings

•

All typical component / elemental chemical tests

•

Asbestos ID and quantification

CONCRETE •

Compressive strength and density of hardened concrete cubes

AGGREGATES

•

Compressive strength of concrete cores

•

Particle Size Distribution

•

Flexural strength of concrete beams

•

Flakiness Index

•

Compressive strength of concrete cylinders

•

Elongation Index

•

Petrographic analysis

•

Moisture / Water Content

•

Mix proportions

•

10% Fines Value

DRAINAGE & UTILITY SURVEYS

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

•

CCTV surveying & drainage mapping

•

Desk studies

•

Power jetting

•

Preliminary risk assessments (PRA)

•

Utility detection (PAS 128)

•

Generic Risk Assessments (GRA)

•

Manhole pit and gully surveys

•

Contamination surveys

•

Ground Penetrating Radar

•

Instrumentation

•

Monitoring

•

Waste Classification

•

WAC testing

•

Pre-acquisition surveys

•

Remediation strategies

•

Validation testing and reporting

GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES •

Cable percussion boreholes

•

Cut down/reduced headroom cable percussion boreholes

•

Rotary boreholes

•

Driven window and windowless sampler boreholes

•

Dynamic probing (DPH and DPSH)

•

TRL dynamic probes for CBR

•

Machine and hand dug trial pitting

•

BRE 365 Soakage tests

•

Permeability testing

•

Instrumentation: including piezometers, gas wells, inclinometers,extensometers

•

Hand auguring

•

Bolt down plate bearing tests

•

Desk Studies

•

Factual and Interpretative reporting

•

Tender and preconstruction support

•

Earthworks assessment

•

Soils stabilisation design

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE CET, 3 Boundary Court, Willow Farm Business Park, Castle Donington Leicestershire DE74 2UD

t. 0843 227 2362 e. [email protected] w. cet-uk.com