Materials Testing Laboratories
Materials Testing Services For Quality Control And Safety
Twining has been at the forefront of construction materials testing for over a century. Our network of seven state-of-the-art laboratories, complimented by our fleet of mobile laboratories, allows us to provide in-house testing for projects throughout California. Twining offers fast, reliable test results that our clients can count on.
Twining subscribes to the most stringent certification, inspection, and/or accreditation requirements in the industry. We are accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program, inspected by the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and AASHTO re:source, and are also recognized by agencies including Caltrans, Division of the State Architect (DSA), International Accreditation Service (IAS), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with numerous cities and counties as a certified geotechnical, asphalt paving, materials testing and inspection laboratory.
In accordance with our accreditation by the International Accreditation Service, we rigorously verify the calibration of all test equipment utilizing a controlled Quality Assurance Program meeting the specifications in ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025 and standards traceable to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Apart from material testing services, we also maintain a rigorous training program for our experienced staff of testing technicians that is overseen by registered civil engineers.
Materials Testing Laboratories
Materials Testing Laboratories
Materials Testing Services For Quality Control And Safety
Twining has been at the forefront of construction materials testing for over a century. Our network of seven state-of-the-art laboratories, complimented by our fleet of mobile laboratories, allows us to provide in-house testing for projects throughout California. Twining offers fast, reliable test results that our clients can count on.
Twining subscribes to the most stringent certification, inspection, and/or accreditation requirements in the industry. We are accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program, inspected by the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and AASHTO re:source, and are also recognized by agencies including Caltrans, Division of the State Architect (DSA), International Accreditation Service (IAS), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with numerous cities and counties as a certified geotechnical, asphalt paving, materials testing and inspection laboratory.
In accordance with our accreditation by the International Accreditation Service, we rigorously verify the calibration of all test equipment utilizing a controlled Quality Assurance Program meeting the specifications in ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025 and standards traceable to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Apart from material testing services, we also maintain a rigorous training program for our experienced staff of testing technicians that is overseen by registered civil engineers.
Twining has been at the forefront of construction materials testing for over a century. Our network of seven state-of-the-art laboratories, complimented by our fleet of mobile laboratories, allows us to provide in-house testing for projects throughout California. Twining offers fast, reliable test results that our clients can count on.
Twining subscribes to the most stringent certification, inspection, and/or accreditation requirements in the industry. We are accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program, inspected by the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and AASHTO re:source, and are also recognized by agencies including Caltrans, Division of the State Architect (DSA), International Accreditation Service (IAS), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with numerous cities and counties as a certified geotechnical, asphalt paving, materials testing and inspection laboratory.
In accordance with our accreditation by the International Accreditation Service, we rigorously verify the calibration of all test equipment utilizing a controlled Quality Assurance Program meeting the specifications in ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025 and standards traceable to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Apart from material testing services, we also maintain a rigorous training program for our experienced staff of testing technicians that is overseen by registered civil engineers.
Twining has been at the forefront of construction materials testing for over a century. Our network of seven state-of-the-art laboratories, complimented by our fleet of mobile laboratories, allows us to provide in-house testing for projects throughout California. Twining offers fast, reliable test results that our clients can count on.
Twining subscribes to the most stringent certification, inspection, and/or accreditation requirements in the industry. We are accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program, inspected by the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and AASHTO re:source, and are also recognized by agencies including Caltrans, Division of the State Architect (DSA), International Accreditation Service (IAS), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with numerous cities and counties as a certified geotechnical, asphalt paving, materials testing and inspection laboratory.
In accordance with our accreditation by the International Accreditation Service, we rigorously verify the calibration of all test equipment utilizing a controlled Quality Assurance Program meeting the specifications in ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025 and standards traceable to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Apart from material testing services, we also maintain a rigorous training program for our experienced staff of testing technicians that is overseen by registered civil engineers.
We Use The Following Techniques
Twining has been at the forefront of construction materials testing for over a century. Our network of seven state-of-the-art laboratories, complimented by our fleet of mobile laboratories, allows us to provide in-house testing for projects throughout California. Twining offers fast, reliable test results that our clients can count on.
Twining subscribes to the most stringent certification, inspection, and/or accreditation requirements in the industry. We are accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program, inspected by the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and AASHTO re:source, and are also recognized by agencies including Caltrans, Division of the State Architect (DSA), International Accreditation Service (IAS), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with numerous cities and counties as a certified geotechnical, asphalt paving, materials testing and inspection laboratory.
In accordance with our accreditation by the International Accreditation Service, we rigorously verify the calibration of all test equipment utilizing a controlled Quality Assurance Program meeting the specifications in ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025 and standards traceable to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Apart from material testing services, we also maintain a rigorous training program for our experienced staff of testing technicians that is overseen by registered civil engineers.
Twining has been at the forefront of construction materials testing for over a century. Our network of seven state-of-the-art laboratories, complimented by our fleet of mobile laboratories, allows us to provide in-house testing for projects throughout California. Twining offers fast, reliable test results that our clients can count on.
Twining subscribes to the most stringent certification, inspection, and/or accreditation requirements in the industry. We are accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program, inspected by the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and AASHTO re:source, and are also recognized by agencies including Caltrans, Division of the State Architect (DSA), International Accreditation Service (IAS), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with numerous cities and counties as a certified geotechnical, asphalt paving, materials testing and inspection laboratory.
In accordance with our accreditation by the International Accreditation Service, we rigorously verify the calibration of all test equipment utilizing a controlled Quality Assurance Program meeting the specifications in ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025 and standards traceable to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Apart from material testing services, we also maintain a rigorous training program for our experienced staff of testing technicians that is overseen by registered civil engineers.
Petrographic examination of concrete and cementitious materials (ASTM C856) including visual examination of specimens in as-received condition, stereomicroscopy of polished cross-sectional surfaces, thin section analysis using fluorescence microscopy, and phenolphthalein staining to characterize the composition and condition as well as causes of deterioration or distress in submitted samples,
Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) analysis (ASTM C1723) for elemental composition of concrete, cementitious materials, aggregate and secondary deposits,
Chloride analysis to measure acid-soluble chloride content (ASTM C1152) or water-soluble chloride content (ASTM C1218) within a material to evaluate for corrosion potential and external chloride exposure,
Hardened air void system analysis (ASTM C457) to evaluate for total air content and air void system parameters for freeze-thaw durability,
Volumetric proportioning testing (ASTM C457) to quantitatively assess proportioning of concrete in comparison with mix design or specifications,
Bulk resistivity testing (ASTM C1876) to characterize the capillary porosity of concrete mixture(s),
Petrographic examination of aggregates (ASTM C295) to identify potentially deleterious materials with potential for alkali-aggregate reactivity, staining, and/or pop-outs,
and more!
Why Choose Us?
Our laboratory technicians are highly experienced with testing requirements of different pavement preservation materials. Twining laboratories consistently help public works agencies and contractors to test materials such as:
Slurry Seal
Microsurfacing
REAS
Chip Seal
The typical tests that we perform for such materials are:
Wet Track Abrasion
Asphalt content
Emulsion content
Aggregate gradation
Sand Equivalent
Consistency test (field test)
Our Balcony Inspection Services
Twining offers a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of property owners and managers. Our services include:
E3s Housing Balcony Inspections (CP1481)
We specialize in conducting thorough inspections in compliance with CP1481 requirements, ensuring the safety of residents and compliance with local regulations.
Structural Integrity Assessments
Our team assesses the structural integrity of your balconies, identifying potential issues related to materials, connections, and load-bearing capacity.
Safety Audits
We conduct safety audits to ensure that your balconies meet the highest safety standards, including railings, guardrails, and fire safety measures.
Exterior Elevated Elements (E3s) Housing Balcony Inspection (CP1481)
An Exterior Elevated Elements (E3s) Housing Balcony Inspection (CP1481) is a comprehensive inspection of the balcony structure, including the railings, decking, and supports. The inspection is performed to identify any potential hazards or defects that could compromise the safety of the balcony.
The CP1481 inspection is based on a set of standards developed by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). The standards cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Design and construction requirements
- Materials and workmanship requirements
- Inspection and testing requirements
We are certified E3s inspector, and we have the experience and expertise to perform comprehensive Balcony Bill Inspections. Our team is well-versed in the local, state, and national building codes, including the requirements outlined in CP1481. We provide a thorough assessment of your balcony's structural integrity, materials, and overall safety, identify potential hazards, and recommend necessary repairs or improvements.
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Mobile Laboratories
Mobile laboratories are self-sufficient units set in box trucks, trailers, or recreation-type vehicles, depending on the scope of testing to be performed and on the project site conditions. First designed and introduced to the industry by Twining, mobile laboratories are now widely used in California for on-site testing of rapid-strength concrete. They have serviced more than 300 pavement replacement projects throughout the state, and Twining has collaborated with premier research centers to bring this innovative testing approach to other states.
Rapid strength concrete, capable of achieving flexural strength of 400 psi or more in 1.5 to 4 hours after placement, is an ideal material for fast-track rehabilitation of pavements and construction of new pavements during short-time partial lane closures. Quality assurance requires testing of rapid-strength concrete for flexural or compressive strength prior to opening lanes to traffic, and our mobile laboratories are ideal for this.
Mobile laboratories designed and built for on-site testing of concrete contain the following equipment and accessories:
- Compressive testing machine(s)
- Fixtures for flexural strength testing and compressive strength testing
- Calipers and micrometers for measuring specimens
- Thermometers and multi-channel temperature recorders for monitoring the temperature of in-place concrete and test specimens
- Curing containers, thermally insulated containers for temperature-matching curing of cylinders for compressive strength, thermally insulated cover boxes for temperature-matching curing of beams for flexural strength, etc.
- Equipment for sampling concrete, fabricating test specimens, and testing properties of fresh concrete
- Portable gasoline generators
- Stationary mounted water tanks with pumps
- Curing/storage devices for transferring specimens not tested in the field to stationary or portable laboratory facility
Where required, concrete field testing can also be supplemented to test aggregates. Laboratories of this class use a bigger size vehicle. They also can be set in a separate vehicle or trailer, which allows us to locate such laboratories conveniently at the origination of aggregate samples (concrete batch plants or quarries).
Aggregate testing units are equipped with:
- Splitters for preparation aggregates for further testing in field conditions
- Portable mechanical and hand sieves
- Ovens for drying aggregates
- Washing devices
- Scales
- Special aggregate testing equipment as required
For projects where concrete specimens are required to be tested on-site in 28 days or later, Twining has designed portable laboratories that include curing units. Curing units are thermally insulated, air-conditioned, steel portable containers. For curing cylinders, the container is provided with a fogging system and storage racks. The container for curing beams is equipped with lime water curing tanks. Both types of containers can be used for the initial and final curing of concrete specimens, according to ASTM C31 provisions. The storage capacity of a standard 40’ x 8’ portable curing unit is 350 beams. The storage capacity of a 20’ x 8’ portable curing unit is 750 cylinders.
Asphalt Testing Laboratories
Twining’s asphalt testing laboratories house the most cutting-edge testing equipment and are staffed with experienced technicians certified by Caltrans under the independent assurance program. Our testing equipment enables us to perform design, quality assurance/quality control, and research testing services, and includes:
- Hveem California kneading compactor and Cox and Sons fully automated axial testing systems
- Marshall mix design and testing
- Superpave gyratory testing equipment and design
- Pavement profilograph
- Moisture sensitivity
- Rubber binder design profile testing
Twining’s asphalt laboratories give us the ability to design and test pavement preservation materials, including bonded wearing courses, open-grade asphalt concrete, chip seals, slurry seals, and cape seals. Twining is also capable of testing emulsion for specification compliance.The asphalt pavement division at Twining often depends on its laboratory to provide accurate and quick turnaround for some of the most critical projects. On the occasion that a project requires on-site testing, the asphalt pavement division maintains a fleet of mobile laboratories that are custom-designed for each project’s needs.
Geotechnical Engineering Laboratories
Our fully accredited geotechnical engineering laboratory is equipped to perform the standard tests needed in geotechnical engineering evaluations, including but not limited to:
- In situ density and moisture content
- Atterberg limits
- Sieve Analysis
- Maximum Dry Density
- Direct Shear
- Consolidation
- Expansion Index
- Sand Equivalent
- Cleanness Value
- Soundness
- R-value
Materials tested are typically obtained from bulk or driven (SPT and Modified California) samples. All laboratory testing operations are overseen by a registered geotechnical engineer. With the large amount of construction-related, time-sensitive work that Twining performs, our laboratory understands the importance of and effectively accomplishes efficient turnaround times for testing.
Construction Materials Testing Laboratories
Our construction materials testing laboratory is capable of testing virtually any structural material utilized in modern construction. Testing is performed by trained and certified technicians per the relevant American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or California Test Methods (CTM). Our labs are accredited by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Accreditation Program. In addition, custom or modified test procedures can be performed upon request. Some of our testing equipment and capabilities include:
- Up to 600,000-pound universal test machines
- Charpy V Notch test apparatus
- Rockwell hardness testing machines
- Welding procedure qualification record and welder qualification testing
- Full range of concrete masonry unit block testing
- Facilities for chemical and physical analysis of cementitious materials, chloride permeability, and a vast range of specialized tests
In support of steel and metal testing equipment, Twining maintains a complete machine shop. This allows us to make standard test specimens from submitted items. We are capable of testing everything from the size of reduced section coupons to full-scale beam-column connections. The company also has the unique ability to manufacture special fixtures, jigs, and other apparatus as may be required for unique test requirements as they arise.
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