The execution of materials investigations includes prospecting and analyses of suitable sources, centreline and borrow pit sampling, together with in situ and laboratory testing of road construction materials.
Cost saving techniques and testing programs can be formulated to meet client design and construction requirements.
Construction quality control testing is undertaken either though regular site visits by laboratory personnel or in laboratories established specifically for the purpose on site.
Design and control testing of bituminous surfacing and in situ testing of compacted asphalt layers are performed. Civilab’s Asphalt laboratory in Centurion was of the first in South Africa to obtain SANAS accreditation for the new SANS3001 series of standards for the testing of construction materials.
FOUNDATIONS (GEOTECHNICAL)
Complete site investigations are undertaken, from initial planning and preparation of budgets to final presentation of results, for the full spectrum of civil engineering projects. These include buildings, bridges, dams, embankments and cuttings.
Drilling and sampling of deep investigation holes can be arranged by negotiating directly with specialised contractors or calling for tenders. Similarly, geophysical explorations can be organized.
The operations at Booysens Reserve have a wide range of specialized testing facilities to determine strength, deformation and other properties of undisturbed and remoulded soil samples and rock cores.
These determinations include shear-, compressibility-, permeability- and dispersive properties of soils, as well as the mechanical and chemical suitability of coarse and fine aggregates for dam investigations.
At its current capacity, this Geotechnical laboratory is one of the largest in Africa and boasts the following to ensure efficiency of the highest level:
Triaxial and Direct Shear Testing Capacity: 9 Computer-controlled Triaxial Loadframes 33 Triaxial cells (11 concurrent samples) for 38mm, 50mm and 75mm diam. samples 65 Pressure lines for Saturation-, Consolidation-, Permeability- and Compression stages 6 Computer-monitored Direct Shear frames
Permeability testing Capacity: 33 Permeability/Triaxial cells for Constant Head Flexible Wall Permeability testing 12 Standard Infiltrometer for Falling/Constant Head Permeability (Zero load) 4 Modified Oedometer (Under loads of 10kPa to 1600kPa)
CONCRETE
Comprehensive technical services are provided for concrete mix design and construction quality control. These include casting and testing of cubes and drilling and testing of concrete cores, all in accordance with standard specifications.
Special testing of concrete and other construction materials is carried out to meet specific client requirements.
PRICELIST
General Terms and Conditions
(A full version of the Standard Terms and Conditions are enclosed in the downloadable pricelist)
1.01
Discounts:
Trade discounts will be given on individual testing rates only, when the quantity of a particular test performed by the laboratory on samples that were delivered as a single batch, is as follows:
1 to 6 tests - no discount
7 to 15 tests - 2.5% discount
16 to 30 tests - 5% discount
Exceeds 30 tests or regular contract work - by negotiation
1.02
The rates for laboratory tests do not includepersonnel or transport costs which may be incurred in obtaining the samples.
1.03
Civilab reserve the right to alter the rates without notice.
1.04
A minimum charge of R 345 (excluding 15% VAT) will be imposed on an individual test instruction, irrespective of the rates of testing as per this schedule. The normal rates of testing will be applicable if the total charge (excluding 15% VAT) exceeds R345.
1.05
The rates as per this schedule are only for services rendered during normal working hours. A surcharge will be imposed on priority testing.
1.06
The listed rates for testing are only for the execution of tests in accordance with the corresponding scheduled test methods. Special requirements and the testing in terms of different methods are by negotiation.
1.07
The Civilab standard terms and conditions as accompanying, will be applicable to all services provided.
Package and Common Tests
Unit
Unit Rate Excl. VAT
Unit Rate Incl. VAT
Establishment, Collections and Standing time of personnel:
Establishment of personnel (including travelling time)
km
R 11.30
R 13.00
Extra over for site visits where no on-site testing is performed/required (e.g. Collections)
sum
R 342.00
R 393.30
Personnel standing time on site
Personnel rates as in 2
PC1
Compaction Control:
(minimum charge of R 860 per site visit)
a. Compaction Control: Field density by nuclear guage (Troxler)
4 test
R 860.00
b. *Moisture Density Relationship: Mod. AASHTO effort
test
R 530.00
*Once-off charge for each material type
R 1 390.00
R 1 598.50
PC2
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) Test: (minimum charge of R 860 per site visit)
a. Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test: per metre or part thereof (maximum
test
2 metres): including disposable tip
R 235.00
b. Processing penetration data with CSIR program (Version 5.0)
test
R 120.00
R 355.00
R 408.25
PC3
Concrete Control:
a. Concrete Control: Casting (on-site), curing and testing a set of up to six cubes
set
R 862.00
R 991.30
b. Slump Test
test
R 120.00
R 138.00
c. Curing and Crushing of a Concrete Cube
one cube (note 1.04)
R 57.00
R 65.55
set of 6 cubes
R 342.00
R 393.30
d. Supply of 150mm x 150mm Concrete Cube Mould for customer's own use (excl. Delivery)
mould
R 160.00
R 184.00
PC4
Drilling (vertically orientated) and Testing of Concrete Cores (≤100mm diameter):
a. Setting-up at each position
hole
R 340.00
b. Drilling of a 0.2 metre core
core
R 482.00
c.Preparation of concrete cylinder/core for testing
cylinder
R 305.00
d. Curing and testing of concrete cylinder/core
cylinder
R 170.00
R 1 297.00
R 1 491.55
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS : SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Minimum Material Required (kg)
PC5
CBR and Road Indicator:
a. Complete CBR (including Mod. AASHTO Moisture Density Relationship)
85
test
R 1 060.00
b. Road Indicator
15
test
R 485.00
The above two tests will produce a TRH14 and COLTO classification, i.e. G5-G10, or None.
R 1 545.00
R 1 776.75
PC6
Foundation Indicator, Relative Density (S.G.) and Natural Moisture Content:
a. Foundation Indicator
5(Clay) - 15(Gravel) test
R 570.00
b. Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
0.5
test
R 270.00
c.Moisture content as received by laboratory
0.5
test
R 65.00
A Foundation Indicator test will produce a Unified (USC) and HRB (AASHTO) classification. The addition of the Moisture Content will
R 905.00
R 1 040.75
produce the Weston Swell index.
PC7
Moisture Density Relationship:
a. Mod. AASHTO effort
40
test
R 530.00
R 609.50
b. Proctor effort
20
test
R 530.00
R 609.50
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS : AGGREGATES
Minimum Material Required (kg)
PC8
Aggregate Tests:
a. Aggregate Grading
4
test
R 280.00
R 322.00
b. Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV)
15
test
R 495.00
R 569.25
c.10% Fines Aggregate Crushing Test (10% FACT)
40-60
test
R 1 115.00
R 1 282.25
d.Flakiness Index
4, or included in PC8(a)
test
R 400.00
R 460.00
e.Average Least Dimension (ALD)
4, or included in PC8(a)
test
R 440.00
R 506.00
f.Loose- or Compacted Bulk Density
5 (Sand)/10 (Stone)
test
R 225.00
R 258.75
g.Apparent Relative Density (ARD)
4
test
R 235.00
R 270.25
PC9
G1 Basecoarse Analyses:
a.Sieve Analysis to 0.075mm (G1)
5
test
R 280.00
b.Atterberg Limits on <0.425mm and <0.075mm material
5, or included in PC9(a)
2 tests
R 470.00
c.Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV)
20-30
test
R 495.00
d.10% Fines Aggregate Crushing Test (10% FACT); Wet & Dry
80-120
2 tests
R 2 230.00
e.Falikiness Index (<26.5 >19 & <19 >13.2)
5, or included in PC9(a)
2 tests
R 800.00
f.Apparent Relative Density (ARD)
5
test
R 235.00
R 4 510.00
R 5 186.50
ASPHALT AND BITUMINOUS BINDERS
PC10
Marshall Control:
a.Marshall Control Tests: (7.02 and 7.07 on 3 prepared asphalt briquettes
test
R 1 376.00
R 1 582.40
plus single 7.05 and ITS on 3 prepared asphalt briquettes)
GEOTECHNICAL AND FOUNDATION TESTING : SOILS and MINING MATERIALS
Minimum Material Required (kg)
Unit Rate
Unit Rate
PC11
Void Ratio Determination (Bulk- and Relative Density):
Excl. VAT
Incl. VAT
a.Bulk density and moisture content of undisturbed sample
1
test
R 255.00
b. Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
0.2
test
R 270.00
R 525.00
R 603.75
PC12
Complete Triaxial Compression Test on three specimens including Relative Density (Specific Gravity):
a. Undisturbed: Consolidated Undrained (CU)
Undisturbed Block:
test
R 7 925.00
R 9 113.75
b. Reconstituted: Consolidated Undrained (CU)
0.3m x 0.3m x 0.2m;
test
R 8 555.00
R 9 838.25
c.Undisturbed: Consolidated Drained (CD)
Shelby Tube: 0.4m;
test
R 9 045.00
R 10 401.75
d. Reconstituted: Consolidated Drained (CD)
Disturbed: 5kg (excl.
test
R 9 675.00
R 11 126.25
e. Undisturbed: Unconsolidated Undrained (UU)
Moisture Density
test
R 2 985.00
R 3 432.75
f.Reconstituted: Unconsolidated Undrained (UU)
Relationship)
test
R 3 615.00
R 4 157.25
PC13
Complete Direct Shear Test on three specimens including Relative Density (Specific Gravity):
a.Undisturbed: Drained (Slow) Test
(Refer to Triaxial test)
test
R 3 620.00
R 4 163.00
b.Reconstituted: Drained (Slow) Test
(Refer to Triaxial test)
test
R 4 250.00
R 4 887.50
(Quick Undrained tests will only be carried out on clay materials deemed suitable by the laboratory)
PC14
Consolidation & Swell Tests including Relative Density (Specific Gravity) but excluding consolidation time readings:
a. Standard Consolidation
Undisturbed Block:
0.2m
R 1 785.00
R 2 052.75
b. Double Oedometer (NB! Undisturbed material only)
x 0.2m x 0.2m; Shelby
test
R 3 260.00
R 3 749.00
c.Collapse Potential (NB! Undisturbed material only)
Tube: 0.2m; Disturbed:
test
R 1 360.00
R 1 564.00
d. Swelling Pressure
2kg (excl. Moisture
test
R 2 205.00
R 2 535.75
Density Relationship)
e. Free Swell
test
R 1 055.00
R 1 213.25
PC15
USGA analyses on Golfcourse-, Sportsturf- and Turfgrass materials:
a. Sieve Analysis
1
test
R 410.00
b. Porosity, Infiltration, Water Retention and Bulk Density
1
test
R 1 685.00
c.Relative Density (Specific Gravity)
0.2
test
R 270.00
R 2 365.00
R 2 719.75
PC16
Permeability & Dispersivity Tests:
a. Permeability: Falling or Constant head
Refer to PC14
test
R 800.00
R 920.00
b. Permeability: Constant Head in Triaxial/Hydraulic cell
