Thursday 10 March 2016

What is Construction Testing and How is It Provided?

What is Construction Testing and How is It Provided?

All construction sites have a myriad of materials, stages, and procedures that require monitoring and quality assurance testing to be sure the project is safe, the structure will be sturdy, and the project can be completed on time and within its budget.


Large construction and development companies, like Cochran Engineering, that handle multiple large construction jobs concurrently often have their own in-house inspectors, testing equipment and perhaps a testing laboratory for performing concrete stress tests and other safety checks.  For example, an engineering firm charged with constructing a city's subway and rail system would definitely hire their own inspectors and create its own construction testing laboratory rather than subcontract this vital work out to another company.

Smaller construction firms may not have the budget for such a luxury, so they must hire a reputable testing service to assist them with these needs.  Let's look at some of the testing done on large construction projects in general.

Civil Engineering Design, Construction and Construction Testing

Civil Engineers have the expertise necessary to supervise construction of the site design and to assure the project is storm water compliant. They work with a host of different projects from commercial developments, land development for residential purposes, plus public projects like highways and municipal buildings to military developments. Construction testing assures all concerned with the project that all grading plans, drainage plans, street designs (both private and public), utility plans and placements,  as well as sediment and erosion control are design compliant as well as within all allowed zoning.

Testing I and inspections are done on the structure under construction as well as non-structural components of the project and may include:

Structural Inspections       Non-Structural Inspections

1.concrete stress tests      1.  waterproofing
2.masonry                    2.  roofing
3.reinforcing steel strength 3.  fire proofing
4.post tensioning            4.  expansion joints and anchors
5.structural steel           5.  floor flatness
6 soil compaction            6.  asphalt lay down
7.ultrasonic testing         7.  nuclear use testing
8.failure analysis           8.  curtain wall
9.epoxy actions              9.  coating thicknesses
10.pull-testing
11.specialty inspections as needed

Constructing Testing Assures a Safe and Certified Project  


Today's government regulations coupled with increased demands for quality standards and growing concerns over liability, each project requires thorough quality control in the field in order to completely document that the project is certified compliant with all federal, state and local requirements.  Smaller companies must hire a reputable, knowledgeable service to perform these tests and inspections on their projects. Please visit this webpage for more info

The company hired must be capable of certifying and testing all types of soil in today's diverse building site environments. This testing includes these and other tests:


  • Specific Gravity
  • Soil Rock Classifications
  • Soils Formulation Analysis
  • Compaction Relationships 
  • Particle Size Distribution
  • Expansion Index


It is also quite important that any lab services hired will ensure prompt testing and timely data turnaround times.  Working with a single certified and licensed lab assures that your job receives reliable service on your construction testing. The goal of all construction testing is to assure all involved they are building a safe structure that will last for many years for its intended purpose. 

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