Laboratory · Concrete, admixtures & precast paving
Concrete quality is decided twice: at the truck, when the mix arrives, and weeks later, when the strength class is proven. Our laboratory covers both, with accredited tests on fresh and hardened concrete, cores from existing structures, mix design, admixtures and precast paving products.
Every test listed below is within our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation (DPA certificate LT 069), so the reports carry the accreditation mark and are accepted by supervisors, investors and public authorities.
22accredited tests on this page
ISO/IEC 17025DPA certificate LT 069, valid to 07.06.2029
EN · ISO · ASTMcurrent editions of the referenced standards
Lab and on siteVrrin, Durrës–Tirana motorway, km 29
When you need these tests
- Acceptance of ready-mix concrete on site: slump and air content at the truck, cubes for the 28-day class.
- Disputes and low results: cores drilled from the structure give the in-situ strength.
- New mixes and new materials: we design and verify a mix for the class you need.
- Durability classes: water penetration under pressure for basements, tanks and marine works.
- Producers of admixtures, blocks, flags and kerbs who need declared properties for CE and tenders.
Accredited tests and standards
Fresh concrete
| Test | What it tells you | Range | Standard | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete mix design (normal, self-compacting, shotcrete, aerated, etc.) | Designs a mix that reaches the required class with your local materials | 8–70 MPa | BS EN 206:2013+A2:2021 Sampling: BS EN 12350-1:2019 |
Laboratory |
| Consistence – slump (Abrams cone) | Workability of the delivered concrete; accept or reject at the truck | 0–250 mm | BS EN 12350-2:2019; ASTM C143/C143M-20 Sampling: BS EN 12350-1:2019 |
Lab & on site |
| Density of fresh concrete | Checks yield and confirms the mix was batched as designed | 800–2600 kg/m³ | BS EN 12350-6:2019; ASTM C138/C138M-17a Sampling: BS EN 12350-1:2019 |
Laboratory |
| Air content of fresh concrete | Air content, essential for frost-resistant and pumpable concrete | < 10% | BS EN 12350-7:2019/AC:2022; ASTM C231/C231M-22 Sampling: BS EN 12350-1:2019 |
Lab & on site |
Hardened concrete and cores
| Test | What it tells you | Range | Standard | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compressive strength of test specimens | Proves the strength class (C20/25, C30/37…) on cubes or cylinders | 1–88 MPa | BS EN 12390-3:2019 | Laboratory |
| Flexural strength | Bending strength for pavements, slabs and precast elements | 0.5–15 MPa | BS EN 12390-5:2019 | Laboratory |
| Tensile splitting strength | Indirect tensile strength of concrete | < 15 MPa | BS EN 12390-6:2009; ASTM C496/C496M:2017 | Laboratory |
| Cement content of hardened concrete | Estimates how much cement is in hardened concrete | 1–20% | UNI 6505:1973 | Laboratory |
| Density of hardened concrete | Compaction and quality of the hardened concrete | 800–2600 kg/m³ | BS EN 12390-7:2019 | Laboratory |
| Depth of penetration of water under pressure | Watertightness, the main durability indicator for exposure classes | 0.5–60 mm | BS EN 12390-8:2019 | Laboratory |
| Cored specimens from structures – taking, examining and testing in compression | Cores drilled from the structure and tested to give in-situ strength | < 2000 kN | BS EN 12504-1:2019 Sampling: BS EN 12504-1:2019 |
Lab & on site |
Concrete admixtures
| Test | What it tells you | Range | Standard | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry material content of admixtures | Dry material content, the identity check for an admixture batch | 0–100% | BS EN 480-8:2012 | Laboratory |
| Water reduction | Water-reducing performance of the admixture | ≤ 50% | BS EN 480-1:2023 | Laboratory |
Precast paving: blocks, flags and kerbs
| Test | What it tells you | Range | Standard | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions – concrete paving blocks | Dimensions and tolerances of paving blocks | 0.1–500 mm | BS EN 1338:2003 Annex C | Laboratory |
| Water absorption – concrete paving blocks | Water absorption, the durability indicator for paving blocks | 0.1–10% | BS EN 1338:2003 Annex E | Laboratory |
| Tensile splitting strength – concrete paving blocks | Splitting strength, the strength requirement for paving blocks | 0.1–5 MPa | BS EN 1338:2003 Annex F, K | Laboratory |
| Dimensions – concrete paving flags | Dimensions and tolerances of paving flags | 0.1–500 mm | BS EN 1339:2003 Annex C | Laboratory |
| Water absorption – concrete paving flags | Water absorption of paving flags | 0.1–10% | BS EN 1339:2003 Annex E | Laboratory |
| Flexural strength – concrete paving flags | Bending strength of paving flags | 0.1–10 MPa | BS EN 1339:2003 Annex F | Laboratory |
| Dimensions – concrete kerb units | Dimensions and tolerances of kerbs | > 50 mm | BS EN 1340:2003 Annex C | Laboratory |
| Water absorption – concrete kerb units | Water absorption of kerb units | 0.1–10% | BS EN 1340:2003 Annex E | Laboratory |
| Flexural strength – concrete kerb units | Bending strength of kerb units | 0.1–10 MPa | BS EN 1340:2003 Annex F | Laboratory |
Sampling and what to send us
- Cubes 150 mm (or cylinders 150×300 mm), made and cured to BS EN 12390-2, at least 2–3 per age and per sample.
- Slump and air content can be measured on site by our technicians, with sampling to BS EN 12350-1.
- Cores are drilled by our team; we agree locations with you after scanning for reinforcement.
- Paving products: whole units from the same batch, with the delivery note.
What your test report contains
- A unique report number, the accredited laboratory’s details and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation mark for accredited tests.
- Sample identification, sampling details and the condition of the sample on receipt.
- The standard and method used for every test, with any deviation stated.
- Results with units, and comparison with the specified limits when you give them to us.
- Signature of the authorised laboratory staff.
Frequently asked questions
Which strength test does my project need?
For the strength class, cubes or cylinders tested at 28 days (BS EN 12390-3). If the class is in doubt after casting, cores from the structure (BS EN 12504-1) give the in-situ strength.
Can you test concrete on site?
Yes. Slump, air content and core drilling are accredited both in the laboratory and on site, so results at the truck carry the same accreditation as results in the lab.
Do you design concrete mixes?
Yes. Mix design to BS EN 206 for strength classes from about 8 to 70 MPa, including self-compacting concrete, shotcrete and aerated concrete, is part of our accredited scope.
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Need these tests for your project?
Tell us the material, the quantity of samples and the specification you are working to. We’ll confirm the tests, the sampling and the price.