Overview
We test building materials supplied to projects in our laboratories to American (ASTM) standards and Saudi Building Code requirements, verifying compliance before they are used in construction. Each sample gets an approved report showing the results, the required values and the compliance decision.
Reinforcing steel and mechanical splices
- Tensile test: yield strength, tensile strength and elongation (ASTM A615 / A370)
- Cold bend test (ASTM A615 / E290)
- Tensile testing of mechanical splices (couplers) to ASTM A1034
- Splice acceptance to ACI 318 requirements
On-site pull-out testing of anchored rebar
We check the anchorage of rebar dowels installed in existing concrete by pulling them on site with a hollow hydraulic jack and a pump fitted with a digital load gauge, confirming they carry the required test load.
- Mounting the hydraulic jack on the anchored bar
- Applying the load gradually up to the required test load
- Recording the load and watching for bar slip or concrete cracking
- Report of the results against project requirements
Concrete masonry units (blocks)
- Compressive strength (ASTM C140)
- Water absorption (ASTM C140)
- Oven-dry density (ASTM C140)
- Dimensions and compliance with block specifications (ASTM C129)
Thermal insulation materials
- Thermal conductivity of insulation such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) to ASTM C518
- Thermal resistance (R-value) and thermal transmittance (U-value) for each thickness
- Density and dimensions of insulation samples
- Results used to check Saudi Energy Conservation Code requirements (SBC 601)
Galvanized wire and mesh
We measure the zinc coating thickness on galvanized wire and mesh with a coating thickness gauge, then calculate the coating weight to classify it to ASTM A641.
- Zinc coating thickness (µm)
- Coating weight (g/m²)
- Coating class to ASTM A641
