Services

Asphalt testing

Asphalt is a versatile construction material. Its properties make asphalt ideal for use in road construction, bridges, buildings and hydraulic structures: asphalt is a universal material – flexible, environmentally compatible and reusable.

We have specialised in the field of asphalt testing for over 45 years.

Asphalt testing in accordance with EN 12697 and TP Asphalt – StB (technical testing instructions for asphalt in road construction)

Routine and adjudication compliance testing:

• Asphalt mixture analysis
• Asphalt mixture properties
• Compaction tests on cores including core removal

Overview of services and test procedures:

• Resistance to deformation in wheel tracking test
• Compactibility using the Marshall method
• Shear test (bond between courses)
• Behaviour of asphalt at low temperatures in uni-axial tension and thermal stress restrained specimen tests
• Fatigue resistance in the uni-axial swelling tensile test
• Deformation behaviour using swelling compressive test for rolled asphalt
• Deformation behaviour using static and dynamic indenter pins for mastic asphalt
• Stiffness and fatigue behaviour using the indirect tensile swelling test
• Affinity using uni-axial tensile tests and indirect tensile tests
• Light-related properties
• Pavement design using PADESTO
• Determination of the input parameters for pavement design software
• Performance of initial mix design tests
• Microsurfacing – thin asphalt layers applied cold

Bitumen and bituminous binders

We are accredited in accordance with DIN EN 17025 for testing bitumen. (Download certificate and annex). Testing of binders in accordance with TL Bitumen-StB and TL BE-StB (technical delivery conditions for the supply of bitumen and bitumen emulsions for road construction)

• Paving-grade bitumen
• Polymer-modified binders
• Fluxed bitumen
• Bitumen emulsions
• Cold bitumen

Performance testing

• Dynamic shear rheometer (DSR)
• Bending beam rheometer (BBR)
• Force ductility

Conventional tests, e.g.:

• Needle penetration
• Softening point ring and ball
• Resistance to hardening
• Flash point
• Solubility
• Paraffin content
• Fraass breaking point
• Ductility
• Elastic recovery
• Dynamic and kinematic viscosity

Aggregates

Every year about 430 million tonnes of mineral aggregates are processed into high-quality construction materials. As the specialists in these fields based in northern Germany, we play an important part in the certification of these materials in northern Europe.
We are accredited in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 for aggregate testing.

We test natural and artificial aggregates, recycled construction materials and industrial by-products in accordance with EN 12620, EN 13043, EN 13139, 13242, EN 13383-1, EN 13450, EN 13285 and the german TL Gestein-StB, TL-Gleisschotter, TL-Wasserbausteine (technical rules for the supply of road aggregates, track ballast and armourstone) and the german Alkali Guidelines at our two laboratories in Wahlstedt and Schwerin:

• Granulometric properties
• resistance to Impact
• Durability against freeze-thawResistance to polishing (PSV) brightness of aggregates
• Alkali-silica reactivity
• Environmental aspects

Quality assurance – all over europe

Are you looking for an experienced and knowledgeable specialist? We can provide expert and independent assistance both at home and across Europe through our extensive third-party monitoring services. You can rely on our support in the implementation of your projects, including the preparation of comprehensive quality plans

• Quarries and gravel works in accordance with EN 12620, EN 13043, EN 13139, 13242, EN 13383-1, EN 13450, EN 13285 and the German guidelines , Alkali Guidelines
• Recycling plants in accordance with TL G SoB-StB (technical delivery conditions rules for the supply of construction material mixtures and soils for road construction), LAGA (landfill guidelines) and federal state specifications

• Production yards for track ballast, graded aggregates for loadbearing layers in rail construction, armourstone, blast furnace slag, ferrous metallurgical slag, fly ash, municipal incinerator bottom ash, artificial bright aggregates

The above tests are some of those we can offer. The test you require is not mentioned? No problem: All you have to do is contact us. We are sure to be able to help you.

The frost susceptibility, bearing capacity and degree of compaction of the unbound layers above the subgrade in roads, footways and other trafficked surfaces are crucial to the long-term performance of the works.
We test proposed materials for their suitability (Type testing). We also perform routine and adjudication compliance testing on unbound layers in accordance with TL SoB-StB and ZTV SoB-StB (technical terms and conditions of delivery for unbound layers in road constructions; additional technical conditions and guidelines relating to unbound layers in road constructions).

Field tests

• Compaction tests
• Static and dynamic plate bearing tests
• Water permeability

Laboratory tests

• Granulometric properties
• Moisture content
• Aggregate grading and fines content analysis
• Proctor test
• CBR test
• Frost susceptibility
• Water permeability
• Volume stability

Suitability, routine and adjudication compliance testing of hydraulically bound materials in accordance with ZTV Beton –StB (Additional technical conditions of contract and directives for the construction of base courses with hydraulic binders and concrete pavements).

Field tests

• Compaction tests
• Determination of notch depth
• Test of notch effectiveness

Laboratory tests

• Moisture content
• Proctor test
• Compressive strength

The loadbearing capacity of the ground is crucial to the long-term performance of construction works. Our expert and experienced quality assurance team ensures a solid foundation.

Suitability, routine and adjudication compliance testing of soils and soil improvements in accordance with ZTV E-StB (Additional technical conditions of contract and directives for earthworks in road construction).

Field tests

• Static and dynamic plate bearing tests
• Dynamic probing
• Dynamic probing with core extraction
• Test methods M1, M2, M3 according to ZTV E-StB

Laboratory tests

• Granulometric properties
• Atterberg limits
• Aggregate grading and fine content analysis
• Proctor test
• CBR test
• Water permeability
• Calcium content
• Organic content

The above tests are a selection of what we can offer.
If the test you require is not there, please ask!

Armourstone in accordance with EN 13383-1 and TLW 2003

asphalt-labor is an authorised testing establishment approved by the German Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) in accordance with “Guidelines for the authorisation of testing establishments of armourstone in waterway engineering” RAP Waba 07 for routine and adjudication compliance testing of:

• Natural armourstone
• Industrially manufactured armourstone
• Recycled armourstone

In-situ tests

• Size distribution for classes CP (coarse particles)
• Mass distribution for classes LMB up to 750 kg (light mass)
• Stone shape

Laboratory tests

• Bulk density
• Water absorption
• Fracture resistance (compressive strength)
• Resistance to freezing and thawing
• Project-specific certification of frost resistance of armourstone

asphalt-labor is an authorised testing laboratory approved by BASt for the testing of the highway engineering properties and other characteristics of carriageway markings in accordance with ZTV M 13, Levels 1 and 2 (Additional technical conditions of contract and directives for carriageway markings). We check new and existing carriageway markings and their application in accordance with the provisions of ZTV M 13.

Routine compliance testing and contractor-commissioned testing

– During application

• Identification of binder
• Trafficking time (drying time)
• Geometry
• Upstand height, milled-out depth, width and length
• Distribution and embedding of the drop-on materials
• Visual assessment of the marking surface

– On the finished marking

• Geometry
• Day visibility
• Night visibility, dry
• Night visibility in the wet (only for Type II markings)
• Skid resistance
• Wear resistance (only before warranty period ends)

Testing by comparison with original samples

• Tests for the agreement of the used marking substances and materials with the original samples in accordance with DIN EN 12802

• Additional routine compliance tests
• Adjudication compliance testing (retesting at the request of either party)

Concrete is an important material in road and building construction. Suitability and compliance testing for concrete in accordance with DIN 1045, EN 206, ZTV-Ing and ZTV Beton-StB (Additional technical conditions of contract and directives for the construction of base courses with hydraulic binders and concrete pavements).

Fresh concrete

• Formulation
• Consistency
• Bulk density
• Air void content
• Flow table test
• W/C ratio by the rapid drying method

Hardened concrete

• Bulk density
• Compressive strength of cores and cubes
• Impermeability to water
• Non-destructive testing of dowels and anchor positions in concrete pavements
• Bond tests
• Electromagnetic reinforcement location

Precast concrete products

• Surface finish quality
• Dimensional stability
• Bulk density
• Compressive strength
• Bending tensile strength
• Freeze-thaw salt resistance
• Skid resistance
• Light-related properties

The above tests are a selection of what we can offer.
If the test you require is not there, please ask!

We can provide expert and independent assistance both at home and across Europe through our extensive third-party monitoring services. You can rely on our support in the implementation of your projects, including the preparation of comprehensive quality plans.

 Third-party monitoring of:

Quarries and gravel works in accordance with TL Gestein-StB, (Technical Delivery Terms for Aggregates in Road Construction) EN 12620, EN 13043, EN 13139, EN 13242, EN 13383-1 EN 13450 and Alkali Guidelines

• Recycling plants in accordance with TL G SoB-StB, LAGA and federal state specifications
• Members of “Überwachungsgemeinschaft Bauabfall Nord” (ÜGB), a monitoring association operating in the fields of construction waste sorting and recycling, landfill sites Class I in accordance with TASi (technical instruction for waste from human settlements) and backfilling of gravel pits

• Disposal organisations in accordance with §52 KrW/AbfG (German Closed Substance Cycle and Waste Management Act) as part of the activities of the waste disposal bodies “Entsorgergemeinschaft Schleswig-Holstein e.V.” (EGSH) and “Entsorgergemeinschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V.” (EGMV), which operate in northern Germany.
• Production yards for track ballast, graded aggregates for loadbearing layers in rail construction, armourstone, blast furnace slag, ferrous metallurgical slag, fly ash, municipal incinerator bottom ash, artificial bright aggregates

The above tests are a selection of what we can offer.
If the test you require is not there, please ask!

We prepare detailed recommendations for repair and refurbishment of roads for you based on inspection, logging and assessment reports of the road surface condition and laboratory tests on removed samples.
On request, we can prepare economic evaluation reports on alternative construction proposals.

• Road surface profiles using the planograph
• Coating thickness in accordance with TPD-StB (technical requirements for thickness measurements in roadworks), e.g. non-destructive testing with the Permascope electromagnetic coating thickness gauge
• Skid resistance testing using the sideways force coefficient (SFC) method in accordance with TP Griff-StB (SKM) – often referred to as SCRIM
• Skid resistance and surface roughness measurement using the pendulum skid resistance tester and Moore’s flow measuring unit in accordance with TP Griff-StB (SRT, technical requirements for skid resistance measurements in roadworks)
• Transverse surface regularity using the standard surface regularity apparatus
• Non-destructive radiometric density using the Troxler nuclear density gauge
• Visual inspection and assessment of road surface condition
• Measurement of carriageway markings in accordance with ZTV M 13
• Structural condition surveys using the falling weight deflectometer (FWD)
• Water permeability
• Calculation of the residual life of bituminous surfaces
• Loadbearing capacity using the Benkelmann beam

Monitoring & certification

Certainty is always a question of quality: our extensive experience in the monitoring of the processing and reprocessing of materials for road construction means we are a knowledgeable and independent partner in this field – and in the provision of the required certificates.

Our competence is officially confirmed by our accreditation (LINK: DOWNLOAD CERTIFICATE) by the German Federal accreditation body DAkkS. Our notified body number is: 1323.

On the basis of the requirements REGULATION (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR), we monitor and certify the factory production control in accordance with System 2+ with reference to:

• EN 12620 Aggregates for concrete
• EN 13043 Aggregates for bituminous mixtures and surface treatments
• EN 13139 Aggregates for mortar
• EN 13242 Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound materials
• EN 13383 Armourstone
• EN 13055-1 Lightweight aggregates – Part 1: Lightweight aggregates for concrete, mortar and grout
• EN 13055-2 2004-07 Lightweight aggregates – Part 2: Lightweight aggregates for bituminous mixtures and surface treatments and for unbound and bound applications
• EN 13108 – Parts 1 to 7 Bituminous mixtures – Material specifications
• EN 12591 2009-08 Bitumen and bituminous binders – Specifications for paving grade bitumens
• EN 14023 Bitumen and bituminous binders – Specification framework for polymer modified bitumens
• EN 13808 Bitumen and bituminous binders – Specification framework for cationic bitumen emulsions

This takes you to the application for monitoring and certification.

Because of our wide range of testing services and solid experience, we are increasingly being requested to provide expert reports on the planning and design of construction projects and in situations where defects may have occurred. Our success in this field is not only due to our commercial and technical independence, but also to our recognition without reservation by employers and contractors. On projects involving special construction works, we can also perform the duties of special works site manager

We prepare:

• Defect reports
• Recommendations for refurbishment measures as part of repair and renewal projects
• Expert reports on construction materials and methods
• Dimensional surveys of special traffic areas such as airport aprons, container yards, etc.

Research and development

We have been performing practical and application-oriented research and development for many years. This also equips us to find complete and targeted solutions.

A selection of our nationally significant research projects that have found practical implementation:

• Stability of asphalts
• Modification of bitumen with e.g. polymers, adhesion agents and bitumen flow improvers
• Municipal incinerator bottom ash
• Light-related properties of aggregates and asphalt, e.g. optimisation of brightened wearing courses
• RC materials
• Stabilisation of contaminated construction materials
• Fly ash
• Use of ultra-fine sand from Hamburg harbour sludge
• Reclaimed asphalt
• Use of asphalt reinforcing materials, e.g. glassfibre mesh
• Use of radiometric thickness measurement of asphalt layers as a means of compaction compliance testing
• Assessment of dynamic plate bearing tests
• Compaction compliance testing using a dynamic roller
• Frost-proof stabilisation of marl and clay soils

In our R+D tasks, we use special testing methods such as:

• Bending-beam rheometer
• Dynamic shear rheometer
• Force ductility
• Indirect tensile test
• Falling-weight deflectometer (FWD)
• Wheel tracking device
• Luminance meter for measuring light-related properties
• Young’s Modulus determination using the ultrasonic method
• Evaporation method in accordance with BTL SWLS-StB (technical rules for the supply of steelwork slag for roadworks) and TU Munich
• Fatigue behaviour of asphalt
• Behaviour of asphalt at low temperatures
• Stiffness – Dynamic compression test

Training and seminars

Systematic professional development of employees is essential for successful companies wishing to work in accordance with the current state of technology.
Asphalt-labor offers practical professional development in the form of seminars, training courses and workshops in all the main fields of road construction and civil engineering.
The prospectus is aimed at employers, contractors, engineering consultants and materials suppliers.
The sessions are delivered in our laboratories, external teaching rooms and at our internal training facilities.

Recent additions to our range of training topics include:

• Bond between bituminous pavement layers
• Methods of routine compliance testing of compaction in earthworks
• Backfilling of excavations
• Systematic compliance testing
• Carriageway markings
• Brightening of bituminous surfacings
• Optimised split mastic asphalt
• New European regulations
• Technical rules for unbound pavement construction
• Surfacings and hydraulically bound roadbases
• Soil treatments in accordance with LAGA and BBodSchVO (German Federal Soil Protection Act)
• RC materials
• Suitability tests of asphalt
• German Construction Product Ordinance (BauPVO)

Should you have a need for training on a theme not mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact us!