Laboratories

Services

Our three laboratories provide our clients with a complete portfolio of laboratory testing for aggregates, soils and embankments, base courses, concrete and concrete structures and, of course, asphalt mixes and emulsions. We also focus on other specialized tests for road construction works, such as analyses of reclaimed and recycled materials or longitudinal unevenness measurements.

PAH analysis

We analyse and test polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in asphalt mixes and recycled/reclaimed materials. Analyses are carried out using a modern gas chromatography–mass spectrometry instrument. Results of the analyses can be used to categorize asphalt mixes in a quantitative class according to Regulation No. 130/2009, stipulating the criteria when asphalt mixes are a by-product or are no longer considered waste.

TESTING OF SOILS, EMBANKMENTS AND SOIL LAYERS

We perform assessments of soil suitability and classification of soil, and design solutions for soil improvement. We also perform tests of subgrade and subformation level bearing capacity.

• Impact load test for road subgrade and base course with light dynamic plates (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN 73 6192, equipment group C)
• Compaction control of engineering fills (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN 72 1006, Annexes A,B,D (Czech Technical Standard ČSN 73 6190))
• Determination of unit weight of soil using a diaphragm displacement meter (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN 72 1010, Art. 35-44, method D1)
• Determination of unit weight of soil using a core cutter (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN 72 1010, Art. 8-14, method A)
• Determination of water content (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN ISO 17892-1)
• Determination of compaction (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 13286-2, except for Art. 7.3 and 7.6)
• Determination of particle size distribution (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard EN ISO 17892-4)
• Determination of soil consistency (Atterberg) limits (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN CEN ISO/TS 17892-12)
• Radiometric testing of soil unit weight and water content (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN 72 1006, Annex F

TESTING OF CONCRETE AND CONCRETE STRUCTURES

We perform tests of fresh and hardened concrete including non-destructive testing of concrete structures using a Schmidt hammer.

• Testing of fresh concrete: Determination of consistency - slump test (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12350-2)
• Testing of fresh concrete: Determination of air content - pressure methods (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12350-7)
• Testing of hardened concrete: Preparation and treatment of test specimens (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12390-1)
• Testing of hardened concrete: Determination of Compressive strength of test specimens (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12390-3)
• Testing of hardened concrete: Determination of density of hardened concrete (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12390-7)
• Determination of resistence of cement concrete surface to water and defrosting chemicals, methods A and C (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN 73 1326, Z1)
• Testing of hardened concrete: Determination of depth of penetration of water under pressure (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12390-8)
• Determination of resistance to aggregates to freezing and thawing (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 1367-1)

TESTING OF BITUMINOUS BINDERS AND EMULSIONS

We verify properties of modified and unmodified bituminous binders.

• Determination of needle penetration (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 1426)
• Determination of softening point - ring and ball method (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 1427)
• Determination of Fraass breaking point (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12593)
• Determination of tensile properties of modified bitumen by force ductility method (in compliance with Czech Technical Standards ČSN EN 13589, ČSN EN 13703)
• Determination of the elastic recovery of modified bitumen (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 13398)
• Determination of storage stability of modified bitumen (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 13399)
• Determination of resistance to hardening under influence of heat and air - RTFOT method (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12607-1)
• Determination of dynamic viscosity of bituminous binder using rotating spindle apparatus (in compliance witch Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 13302)
• Visualisation of polymer dispersion in polymer modified bitumen (in compliance witch Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 13632)
• Bituminous emulsions - Determination of pH value of aqueous phase and pH value of bituminous emulsions (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 12850)
• Bituminous emulsions - Determination of water content (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 1428)
• Bituminous emulsions - Determination of residue on sieving (in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN EN 1429)

PULL-OUT RESISTANCE TESTING OF WATERPROOFING AND REPAIR SYSTEMS

We perform tests to determine the tensile strength of surface layers and material adhesion to the foundation layer in compliance with Czech Technical Standard ČSN 73 6242, Annex B.

Core Center (research and development center)

As a member of the COLAS Group, we collaborate on research and development projects with the Core Center in France. Colas has unique resources that allow us to respond to changing customer needs and anticipate technology for the future.

https://www.colas.com/en/research-and-development/cst