Construction projects rely heavily on materials testing to ensure components are safe, durable, and up to code. New construction, building additions, and amendments to existing structures depend on construction materials testing to develop reliable finished products that are compliant with local regulations.
Because of the need for thorough construction materials testing, there are several different tests for different materials. These materials tests occur in the field and in laboratories and many firms implement construction materials testing software to remove errors from their collected data.
Most commonly, the materials that CMT software and testing machines examine are soil, concrete, asphalt, steel, masonry, and timber. Field testing looks for signs of compaction and also looks closely at moisture content, unit weight, and other key indicators of stress or vulnerability.
Developers employ construction materials and testing equipment to review different materials in different ways. For example, soil testing might also look for moisture content, but a construction materials testing apparatus and equipment setup will also verify soil density, plasticity, strength, and compressibility.
On the other hand, asphalt testing may include laboratory testing practices like mix verifications, aggregate gradation, asphalt flow, and overall stability. Field testing includes key observations on rolling patterns, compaction, and other signs of wear.
Steel construction materials testing may visually evaluate welds and bolt connections, concrete tests include pre-placement and post-placement observations, and there are other materials tests that apply in unique cases that may vary by structure or construction project.
Diverse testing processes impact all parties involved, which is why it’s critical that new construction and building amendments implement testing procedures to ensure data quality.
To learn more about the different construction materials testing processes and how to appropriately test key materials using CMT software, contact ForneyVault today. We’re here to help you implement unbiased testing and maintain data integrity for your projects.