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    Materials Testing

    Fundamentally sound and technically accurate results backed by national accreditation and years of experience breeds the highest level of confidence.

    Carlson’s major strength is the breadth of our technical laboratory capabilities. Our laboratories are capable of testing and evaluating a wide variety of construction materials, ranging from common concrete and masonry samples to unique, proprietary, or experimental materials or components. These and all other laboratory procedures are performed in accordance with standardized and accepted procedures promulgated by ASTM, AASHTO, ICBO, ODOT and other governing bodies in our laboratories which are nationally accredited and regularly audited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS).

    Individual branch offices have also obtained accreditation or certification by one or more of of the following agencies: Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), or Washington Building Officials Association (WABO).

    The following lists are some of the most common material tests performed at our laboratories. If you have specific needs related to any of these tests or have questions related to a new or proprietary method or material, please contact us.


    Concrete Testing

    • Flexural Beam Tests
    • Unit Weight of Hardened Concrete Specimens (Cylinders)
    • Portland Cement Concrete Trial Batch
    • PCC (ACI 3 Point) Trial Batch
    • Compressive Strength of Concrete Cylinders
    • Compressive Strength of Cores
    • Compressive Strength Gypsum Concrete
    • Compressive Strength of Lightweight Insulating Concrete
    • Length Change of Hardened Concrete
    • Specific Gravity, Absorption & Voids in Hardened Concrete
    • Compressive Strength of 2x2x2 Samples

     Masonry Testing

    • Compressive Strength of 2 x 4 Mortar Cylinders
    • Compressive Strength of 4 x 4 x 8 Grout Prisms
    • Compressive Strength of Clay Brick Units
    • Absorption Test of Brick (24-Hour Cold)
    • Absorption Test of Brick (5-Hour Boiling)
    • Efflorescence Test of Brick
    • Measurement of Size of Brick (Dimensions)
    • Measurement of Warpage of Brick
    • Linear Drying Shrinkage of CMU
    • Compressive Strength of CMU (Prism/Unit)
    • Absorption of CMU
    • Measurement of Size of CMU (Including Webs)
    • Moisture Content of CMU (Includes Absorption)
    • Percent Solids Determination (Net Area)
    • Initial Rate of Absorption of Brick
    • Moisture Content of Brick
    • Modulus of Rupture of Brick Units
    • Cold Crushing Strength of Refractory Units
    • Bulk Density of Refractory Units
    • Modulus of Rupture of Refractory Units
    • Moisture Content of Mortar
    • Qualification Test Services
    • Compressive Strength of Segmental Retaining Wall Units

     Earthwork (Soils & Aggregate) Testing

    • Moisture/Density Relationship includes Rock Correction
    • Screen or Sieve Analysis – Dry
    • Screen or Sieve Analysis - Washed
    • Specific Gravity & Absorption (Course Aggregate)
    • Specific Gravity & Absorption (Fine Aggregate)
    • Specific Gravity of Soils
    • Sand Equivalent
    • Unit Weight of Aggregate
    • Fractured Faces
    • Atterberg Limits (Plastic Limit, Liquid Limit, Plastic Index)
    • Moisture Content (Soil or Aggregate)
    • California Bearing Ratio - (Undisturbed)
    • California Bearing Ratio - (In-Lab)
    • Direct Shear
    • Durability Index
    • Los Angeles Abrasion Test
    • Magnesium/Sodium Soundness
    • Friable Particles
    • Cleanliness Value
    • Oregon Air Degradation
    • DMSO Test
    • Ethylene Glycol Test
    • Swell or Shrink Factor
    • Organic Impurities
    • Scratch Hardness Test
    • Tons to Yard Conversion Factor
    • Elongated Particles
    • Wood Particles
    • Dust & Clay Coating
    • Hydrometer Analysis
    • Consolidation Testing of Soils
    • Organic Matter Content of Soils by Ignition Method
    • Thermal Resistivity

     Asphalt (Bituminous) Testing

    • Marshall Mix Formula (MS-2, FAA)
    • Gyratory “Superpave” Mix Formula (ODOT/FHWA)
    • Asphalt Extraction-Gradation Tests (Vacuum Method)
    • Marshall Flow-Stability
    • Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted HMAC
    • Maximum Specific Gravity (Rice Method)
    • Pavement Thickness (Cores)
    • Moisture Content of Bituminous Mixes (Oven)
    • Coating & Stripping of Bitumen/Rock Mixture
    • Compressive Strength of Bituminous Mixtures
    • Index of Retained Strength
    • Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) of Bituminous Mixtures
    • Asphalt Incineration Calibration
    • Asphalt Content/Gradation by Incineration Furnace

     Structural Steel Testing

    • Fireproofing Density Samples
    • Non-Destructive Testing: Ultrasonic (UT), Magnetic Particle (MT), Dye Penetrant (PT)
    • Non-Destructive Testing: UT, MT, PT (Level III)
    • Welder Certification: AWS D1.1
    • Welding Procedure AWS D1.4
    • Welder Qualification: AWS D1.3
    • Procedure Writing
    • Tensile Strength
    • Skid-more Wilhelm