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Soil Testing & Compaction Control

We provide qualified, experienced civil engineering technicians to the site during earthwork to monitor the suitability of the fill materials being cut from other areas on-site, and hauled in from off-site sources, and perform field compaction testing in compacted fill layers using nuclear testing methods (ASTM D-2922). Prior to field testing, we will obtain representative bulk samples of fill soils for laboratory suitability testing including Modified Proctor Compaction tests (ASTM D-1557), Grain Size Analysis (ASTM D-442), and Atterburg Limits (ASTM D-4318).

In addition to compaction control, our field personnel will monitor initial stripping of the site to verify satisfactory removal of unsuitable surface material, observe proofrolling of planned fill areas to verify uniform density and stability of the stripped subgrade prior to placing fill layers, and maintain daily documentation of the earthwork operation for the Owner's records.

Test Pile Program

During installation of test piles, CETCO's experienced field staff performs continuous inspection of the test pile driving operation, and subsequently monitor the compression or dynamic load tests. Pile driving monitoring and overview of the load tests is performed by our Project Geotechnical Engineer, with the assistance of experienced soils technicians. Load testing is performed in accordance with ASTM D-1143, Axial Load Testing of Compression Piles, or ASTM D-4945, Dynamic Load Testing procedures. We provide the apparatus for measuring the reaction of test piles to load, and set up all associated measuring equipment.

Immediately following completion of load testing, we perform an engineering analysis of the results and submit a formal engineering report including observations, discussions of driving procedures, an individual driving log for each test pile, and a load versus settlement curve for each load test. Our report includes our engineering analyses, and conclusions regarding required pile length and driving criteria.

Production Pile Driving

CETCO provides qualified, experienced Civil Engineering Technicians to the jobsite during production pile driving to perform continuous monitoring of all aspects of foundation installation including visual inspection of each pile before driving to verify proper quality, observe pre-drilling of the pilot hole, count and record penetration resistance for each pile driven in blows per foot, document start and stop times, interruptions, unusual occurrences, obstructions, etc.

Through years of experience, prior review and study of the subsurface soils report and load testing results, and overview by our Project Soils Engineer, our technicians are fully capable of verifying proper installation of all piling, or immediately note any unusual occurrences which would be cause for concern. In these cases, our technicians are trained to immediately contact the appropriate individuals to brief them on the situation and obtain direction for further action. Complete documentation is part of our standard service, and our daily field reports and driving logs are submitted to the designated project representative at the end of each production day.

Footing Inspection

We provide experienced Civil Engineering Technicians to the jobsite to perform inspection and testing of prepared footing excavations prior to concrete placement to verify uniform stability, compaction, shape, and dimensions. The bearing capacity of footing soils is tested using the penetrometer penetration test. The results of this test are reviewed by our geotechnical engineer to determine if the penetration values are compatible with the N-values obtained in the geotechnical study. Typically, linear wall footings are tested on a frequency of one penetrometer test per 50 feet, and isolated column footings are tested 100 percent. An Engineer's Report is issued following penetrometer testing to summarize our evaluation of the footing soils. Daily test results are verbally communicated and documented in our technician's field report to avoid delays to the project.

Concrete Sampling & Testing

We provide ACI-certified concrete technicians to the construction site when a concrete pour is scheduled to perform all concrete quality control sampling and testing services. We monitor the volume of each class of concrete placed per day to comply with the sampling frequency, then perform field sampling and testing to determine slump (ASTM C-143), air content (ASTM C-173), unit weight (ASTM C-173), air and mix temperature, and casting test cylinders (ASTM C-31). Our technicians record all field test data, then retrieve the test cylinders from the field approximately 24 hours after casting them, transport them to our laboratory, log the cylinders into our inventory, and place them in moist curing conditions. At the appropriate curing ages of 7 days and 28 days, our Laboratory Technician performs the compressive strength testing (ASTM C-39), phone in the results to designated project personnel, and issue typed reports following the 28 day test.

Our field inspector maintains documentation on every truckload of concrete delivered to the site, recording batch time, arrival time, truck and ticket numbers, yardage on the truck and cumulative yardage for that class of concrete, quantity of water added on-site if any, slump of the mix (visual or test result), and time the truck is emptied. If the slump of the concrete upon arrival to the site is too low to be pumped or placed properly, our staff is experienced to add sufficient water to bring the slump up to the specified range. If the slump on arrival is above required limits, he will notify the Project Superintendent and the batch plant so that they can take appropriate action

Post-Tensioning Inspection

Our field inspector verifies proper placement of post-tensioning cables, and inspects cable sheathing to verify that it is in good condition prior to placement of concrete. Prior to tensioning, our technician pre-calculates theoretical strand elongation based on the section and length of cable. Then, during the tensioning operation, he confirms that each strand is properly tensioned by measuring and recording actual elongations. Complete communication and documentation is a primary product of this critical operation.

Structural Steel Inspection

We provide experienced civil engineering technicians to perform visual inspection of structural steel for dimensional and fit-up requirements, and perform testing of bolted connections using a calibrated torque wrench, or feeler gauges on load-indicator washers.

For shop or field welds, we provide Level III Certified Welding Inspectors to perform visual inspection and non-destructive testing of welds. Available weld tests include ultrasonic, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, and radiographic procedures.

Base Course & Asphalt Testing

Prior to placement of SABC material, our professionals observe a proofroll test of the soil subgrade to verify uniform stability. Any isolated areas exhibiting instability when subjected to proofrolling by a loaded dump truck would be identified for remedial action prior to placing subsequent pavement layers.

Once the subgrade exhibits satisfactory stability, placement of SABC layers can proceed. Following proper spreading and compacting of this layer, our field technicians will perform in-place density testing using nuclear test methods to verify that minimum compaction values are achieved.

During asphalt paving, we propose to provide field and batch plant quality control testing. Our laboratory technician will perform sampling of random truckloads of asphalt concrete to perform aggregate gradation testing, asphalt cement content testing, and laboratory density testing using Marshall test methods. In the field, monitoring will be performed by our field technician using nuclear test methods to determine field density development.

Roofing Inspection

Prior to roofing application, our professionals conduct a pre-construction meeting to discuss particulars about the project, and to review product submittals and approved application procedures. Where applicable, we inspect the roof deck including visual inspection of all deck puddle welds. During roofing construction, our personnel inspect all materials and procedures to verify compliance with manufacturer's recommendations. We provide daily documentation of all activities and observations.

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