LABORATORY TESTING AND ANALYSIS
The Company has equipped the laboratories at South Subahiya for the testing of both the physical properties of materials and of the chemical properties. The range of testing for the physical characteristics of materials includes:
- Particle Size Analysis and Moisture Content
- Determination of Atterberg Limits
- USCS Soil Classification
- ISRM Rock Classification
- Direct Shear Testing
- Triaxial Compression Testing
- Modified Proctor Test
- One-dimensional Consolidation Test (Oedometer)
- Triaxial Tests (UU and CD)
Testing is also performed on samples of concrete:
- Compressive Strength of concrete cubes
- Compressive Strength of concrete cylinders
- Compressive Strength of grout cubes
- Compressive Strength of foam concrete cubes
- Water Absorption Test on concrete cubes
- Density Test for foamed concrete cubes
- Concrete block test
- Kerbstone Tests (flexural)
- Laboratory Ultrasonic Test/Pulse velocity in laboratory
- Laboratory Permeability Test
The laboratory is also equipped to carry out an extensive range of tests on samples of aggregates:
- Sieve analysis
- Material passing #200 sieve (0.075mm)
- Specific Gravity
- Flakiness Index
- Crushing value
- Shell content
- Moisture Content
- Los Angeles Abrasion Test
- Sand equivalent test
A number of tests on asphalt are also performed:
- Separation of different layers of asphalt cores
- Compaction Test (by layer)
- Performing Bitumen extraction by reflux method
- Sample mold preparation for Marshal Test
- Marshal Density Test
- Marshal Stability Test
The laboratories are staffed by a team of experienced technicians led by the Head of the Material Testing Department who holds Degrees in both Civil Engineering and in Soil Reinforcement and Foundations, possessing over 10 years experience in both Kuwait and the Middle East.
A full range of Chemical Tests on water samples can also be performed. These include:
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- Carbonates (CO3)
- Gypsum Content
- Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
- pH value
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Electrical Conductivity
- Total Alkalinity (as calcium carbonate)
- Salinity (NaCl)
- Phosphates
Testing is also performed to detect the presence of organic materials, using a spectrophotometer, and heavy metals, including:
- Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) including Gasoline Range Organics (GRO) and Diesel Range Organics (DRO)
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
Chemical Tests are undertaken on aggregates and concrete:
- Acid Soluble Sulphate Content
- Water Soluble Chloride
- Organic Impurities
- Loss on Ignition (LOI)
- Chemical analysis of aggregates, including SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, LOI, SO3, Na2O and K2O
- Cement content of concrete
- Cement content and aggregate content of concrete
- Acid Soluble Chloride Content by the mass of concrete
Chemical testing is also performed on soil:
- Water Soluble Chloride
- Water Soluble Sulphate
- pH value
- Organic Matter Content
- Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
- Loss on Ignition (LOI)
- Electrical Conductivity
- Redox Potential.
The laboratory is equipped to undertake Microbiological Testing, including the determining of:
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Tests are also performed for the detection of biological matter, including the presence of phytoplankton.
The tests given above are representative of the capabilities of the laboratory: additional details of the range of tests and testing equipment are given in the latest edition of the Company Profile.