Laboratory Units - Physical Tests Unit

Adhesive Lab

This laboratory is responsible for the evaluation, testing, and reporting of results for epoxy adhesives, adhesive-lubricants, epoxy patching compounds, and other related materials. Epoxy and related adhesives are tested for properties such as viscosity, gel time, tensile strength, compressive strength, water absorption, volatile content, thermal compatibility, and bonding. Adhesive-lubricants are tested for solids content, viscosity, sag, lubricating life, and peel strength.

This laboratory is also responsible for maintaining the Department's Approved Materials List (AML) for adhesive-lubricants as well as epoxy resin systems in conjunction with the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP). Additionally, the Adhesives Lab is responsible for the statewide testing program of pre-approving epoxy adhesives by pre-testing the samples and monitoring certificates of compliance.

Cement Lab

This laboratory is responsible for the evaluation, testing, and reporting of results for cements, pozzolans, portland-pozzolan cements, grouts, curing compounds, and other related materials. Cementitious materials are tested for time of set, air content, normal consistency, autoclave expansion, compressive strength, fineness, false set, density, flow, and shrinkage. Curing compounds are tested for drying time, volatile content, and moisture loss.

This laboratory is responsible for maintaining the Department's Approved Materials List for approved sources of portland cement and portland-pozzolan cement, non-shrink grout, fly ash, and liquid membrane-forming compounds. Additionally, this laboratory monitors the quality of cement and fly ash used statewide in projects by testing all mill samples and reviewing mill reports and certificates of compliance.  Accreditation for this laboratory is maintained by AASHTO through routine proficiency samples and bi-annual inspections conducted by Concrete and Cement Reference Laboratory (CCRL) program.

Concrete Lab

This laboratory is responsible for the evaluation and testing of concrete materials and the review of mix designs. Tests performed on plastic concrete include slump, air content, unit weight, and time of set. Tests performed on hardened concrete include compressive strength of concrete cylinders, concrete cores, concrete permeability, density of concrete, capping compound, plasticized concrete, masonry material, and percent air voids. 


This laboratory is also responsible for maintaining the Department's AML for rapid setting patching materials for concrete, form release agents for precast/prestressed concrete products, concrete anchor systems, dry-batched prepackaged sacked concrete revetment, adhesive anchor systems for deformed tie bars, admixtures for portland cement concrete, fibers for concrete reinforcement, polymer concrete, and patching materials for precast/prestressed concrete products.  Accreditation for this laboratory is maintained by AASHTO through routine proficiency samples and bi-annual inspections conducted by the CCRL program.

Physical Lab

This laboratory is responsible for the evaluation and testing of various materials which include steel and aluminum plates, sheets, bars, shapes, reinforcing steel, steel sign posts, cast iron bars, dowel bars, assembly racks, fasteners, fencing materials, wire rope, wire strand, low relaxation strand for prestressed concrete products, masonry pads, chair bolsters, cold drawn wire, and welded wire fabric.

 

Primary testing done by the Physical Lab includes tensile strength, yield strength, percent elongation, dimensional checks, proof load, compressive strength, bend, hardness, and water absorption. This laboratory also calibrates hydraulic jacks and torque wrenches.

 

The Physical Lab is responsible for maintaining the Department's AML for approved reinforcing steel mills, epoxy coated rebars, mechanical butt splicing devices and for reviewing metal beams for highway guardrail certifications.  Accreditation for this laboratory is maintained by AASHTO through routine proficiency samples and bi-annual inspections conducted by the CCRL and Approved Materials Reference Laboratory (AMRL) programs.