Inspection/materials Testing
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION AND MATERIALS TESTING services and support provide clients with full assurance that all details necessary for a successful paving project are taken care of. We have a solid, approach to managing a successful project and can provide all the following services or just a few to supplement existing client resources:
- Construction engineering support. One of the keys to our success is communication. Our project managers provide constant feedback throughout a project, which creates a proactive environment that corrects problems as they come up and not after the fact. Because PEI is familiar with all construction techniques and materials used to rehabilitate and maintain pavement and have completed thousands of projects, we claim to be the best at what we do. Our clients attest to that.
- Construction inspection services. PEI’s full-time inspection services during paving ensure a quality product and provide confidence that a contractor’s work confirms substantially to the design concepts reflected in the contract documents. Our Caltrans inspectors monitor asphalt concrete thickness and temperature during laydown and perform field density testing using a nuclear density gauge to monitor compaction. That’s critical because proper asphalt concrete placement and compaction are essential for long-lasting pavement. Once asphalt concrete has cooled, the opportunity for high density compaction is impossible. To keep clients informed, we provide daily work and progress reports.
- Laboratory testing and quality assurance. We validate mix designs by collecting the asphalt concrete materials used for a project and testing them to make sure they conform to contract specifications. We collect samples and perform mix designs from every 750 tons of asphalt concrete placed or one test per paving day. These CTM tests include stability (CTM 366), mix density (CTM 308), Rice gravity (CTM 309), asphalt content (CTM 382) and air voids content (CRM 367). Because our materials engineers perform thousands of QA/QC tests each year, they are among the most qualified in the industry to create mix formulas and recommend mix adjustments, to recommend construction and production methods, and to assist clients with contractor compliance issues.
- Verification and determination of compliance and acceptance. Our final report to clients summarizes laboratory tests and compaction results and addresses a contractor’s compliance with the specifications, plans and applicable standards, including any areas on non-compliance. PEI never leaves loose ends. We assume all project activities from inception to completion. We aren’t happy unless every “t” is crossed and ever “i” is dotted and both the client and PEI are satisfied with the results of the entire project.
- Nuclear gauge monitoring is the most accurate way to monitor asphalt concrete mixes to ensure mix designs meet specified tolerances and to measure in-place HMA (hot mix asphalt) density during the laydown phase to ensure sufficient compaction. Both mix quality and compaction quality are essential to long-lasting, defect-free pavements. Even a slight difference in density, voids, or moisture content can shave years off the life of a road or parking lot. PEI calibrates its nuclear gauges and performs testing according to AASHTO T-287 and ASTM D 4125 standards. Our certified technicians have the training and experience to ensure that our clients receive the highest quality work from contractors.