Construction Materials Testing (CMT) Services

For the Houston metro we can typically schedule a certified technician same-day or next-morning. Multi-day placements and full-time project assignments are scheduled through a proposal request.

Test reports are reviewed and issued under our quality system, with engineer review available where the project specification or jurisdiction requires it.

Our construction materials testing scope covers concrete (ASTM C31, C39, C78, C138, C143, C172, C173, C231, C1064, C1231), aggregate (ASTM C29, C117, C127, C128, C131, C136, C566, D75), and soils (ASTM D698, D1557, D558, D854, D1140, D2216, D2487, D4318, D4718, D6913, D6938, D7928, G51, G57, G187). The full list with titles is on this page, and each designation links to a plain-language explainer.

Yes. Testing is performed to the edition referenced by your project specification. Where a specification cites a withdrawn method such as ASTM D422 or D421, we run it as written and can run the current replacement, D6913 and D7928, alongside it.

Yes. We run the electrochemical backfill package — pH by ASTM G51, resistivity by ASTM G187 soil box and ASTM G57 field method, with chlorides and sulfates — and report results against the specification limits for metallic and geosynthetic reinforcement.

Concrete technicians hold ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade I. Soils and laboratory technicians hold NICET Construction Materials Testing certifications in Soils, Concrete, and Asphalt at Levels I through III. Special inspection work is performed by ICC-certified special inspectors for reinforced concrete and soils. Nuclear density gauge operators complete gauge safety and hazmat training under the company radiation safety program.

The technician samples the truck per ASTM C172, then runs slump (ASTM C143), air content (ASTM C231 pressure method or ASTM C173 volumetric for lightweight concrete), concrete temperature (ASTM C1064), and unit weight (ASTM C138). Cylinders are cast and initially cured per ASTM C31, transported to the laboratory, and broken for compressive strength per ASTM C39 at 7 and 28 days, with 56-day or hold cylinders when the specification asks for them.

In-place density and moisture are measured with a nuclear gauge per ASTM D6938 and compared to the laboratory Proctor maximum dry density and optimum moisture from ASTM D698 (standard) or ASTM D1557 (modified), whichever the specification calls out. Each test reports percent compaction and moisture relative to optimum, by lift and location, so the earthwork contractor knows the same day whether a lift passes.

The International Building Code, Section 1705, requires an approved agency to inspect and test specific structural work — concrete placement and reinforcing, soils and compacted fill, structural masonry, structural steel bolting and welding, post-installed anchors — and report to the building official and engineer of record. The owner retains the agency; we provide the certified inspectors and technicians and the laboratory behind them.

Field results — slump, air, temperature, in-place density — are reported to the site the same day. Laboratory results follow the method's own timing: compressive strength as the 7- and 28-day breaks come due, Proctor curves and sieve analyses typically within several business days of the sample arriving. Every report is reviewed under the quality system before it is issued.

Not yet accredited — we state that plainly. The Sugar Land laboratory is in the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation process with A2LA for concrete, aggregate, and soils test methods (on-site assessment completed September 2026; corrective actions under A2LA review). The quality system is structured on AASHTO R18 and ISO/IEC 17025: controlled procedures, calibrated and verified equipment, technician training records, and report review before issue. Technicians hold ACI and NICET certifications. Running a test to an ASTM standard is not the same as accreditation, and we will not describe the laboratory as accredited until the certificate is issued. Ask and we put the current status in writing on any proposal.