CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING (CMT) : Schult & Summers

Construction Materials Testing (CMT) is a critical component in the process of taking a structure off the blueprint and making it a reality. CMT has been a key component of Schultz and Summers Engineering since our company was founded in 1997. We have designed and set up several state of the art USACE validated testing laboratories across the Midwest.

Our clients have come to depend on SSE’s materials testing staff of professionals to protect their interests during the final design and the construction phase of their projects. SSE maintains multi-faceted modern materials testing laboratories equipped with soils testing equipment such as strength and compaction devices, sieves, scales, ovens, soil classification stations, molds, and other equipment necessary to provide moisture content, bearing ratios, density data, boring data for soils and rock, and asphalt testing. At SSE, we are acutely aware that inaccurate subsurface/geological evaluations and construction delays translate into extra costs. Our team of engineers and engineering technicians help our clients anticipate and minimize potential issues and delays.

SSE can handle the CMT on any size and type of project — from commercial and industrial properties to government public works projects. SSE can provide services on a continuous or intermittent frequency. We are also equipped with mobile state of the art laboratories that can be placed on the job site. SSE works as part of your construction team to keep your project on track. Our firm brings wide-ranging experience in materials engineering evaluation, testing and inspection to every project.

An SSE technician Pile Drive Monitoring on the 17th Street canal project in New Orleans

Our construction materials engineering and testing credentials speak for themselves. Our professional staff in each office location includes registered engineers having vast experience and understanding of local materials and construction practices. Our materials testing laboratories are accredited by several state Transportation Departments and the USACE.

Since 1997 Schultz and Summers Engineering has provided CMT on projects as large as the IHNC Hurricane Surge protection wall in New Orleans and as small as a box culvert in Missouri. Large construction projects, like the IHNC wall, require precise planning, careful design, and rigorous execution. Rigid specifications, demanding schedules, and exacting budgets must be met. Accurate and reliable test results require proper quality control and are absolute necessities.

Currently, SSE is one of the select companies that have been approved for a Blanket Purchase Agreement with the USACE New Orleans district. To date, SSE has provided QC testing services on numerous projects in New Orleans for companies such as Tetra tech, Archer Western Contractors, Odebrecht, WR Compass, Southern Services and LS &CKY to name just a few. We are also providing QA testing services to the USACE on 16 other projects.

Our services include:

Quality Control (QC) / Construction Inspection Services

• Highway construction
• Contractor QA services

Soils

• Soils classification (ASTM D 2487)
• Moisture - density relationships / standard & modified proctors (ASTM D 698 & 1557)
• Placement observation
• In place density testing per Nuclear Method (ASTM D 6938)
• In place density testing per Sand Cone Method (ASTM D 1556)
• In place density testing per Drive Cylinder Method (ASTM D 2937)
• Sub-grade stabilization (lime, cement, fly ash) observation and testing
• Water and Chemical injection observation
• Moisture Content confirmation drilling - injection projects

Concrete Testing

• Mix design & trial batches
• Batch plant and placement evaluations
• Compliance testing of aggregates, including gradations (ASTM C 136), fineness modulus, absorption, specific gravity and unit weight (ASTM C 127 & 128)
• Cylinder & beam molding and testing
• Diamond bit concrete coring for compression strength and /or petrographic analysis

Special Laboratory Testing

• Sieve analysis (dry or wet method) (ASTM C 136)
• Specific gravity of aggregates (ASTM C 127 & 128)
• Organic matter (ASTM C 40)
• Percent finer than 200 mesh (ASTM C 1140)
• Absorption (ASTM C 127 & 128)
• Moisture content (ASTM D 2216) OVEN, (ASTM D 4643) MICROWAVE
• Bulk unit weight

Bituminous Mixtures

• Field observation and testing
• Density determination in place and core density
• Extraction to determine asphalt percentage and gradation of materials