The Civil Engineering Laboratory is equipped for testing of buildings materials and reinforced concrete structures. Building materials includes:
· Material Testing
· cement,
· aggregates,
· concrete cubes,
· Concrete cores,
· Concrete cylinder,
· Concrete beam,
· concrete building blocks,
· timber,
· plastic pipes and plastic fittings (PE, PVC, CPVC, PP, etc)
· Polyethylene Manhole
· Polyethylene and fibre- glass water cistern
· bitumen,
· paving bricks, etc
1.0 Testing of Concrete Structures
The laboratory is also equipped for Non Destructive testing (NDT). A few techniques are available, like:
· rebound hammer,
· ultrasonic method,
· ground penetrating radar method,
The laboratory is still in the process of upgrading its NDT facilities.
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3.0 Accreditation
The Civil Engineering Laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 to carry out compressive strength of concrete cubes as per BS EN 12390-3.
3.0 Proficiency Testing
Proficiency testing is carried out as follows:
Concrete: ptA Australia for compressive strength of concrete
Cement: BAM- Germany for physical and mechanical properties of cement
Aggregate: BAM- Germany for sieve analysis on aggregate.
1.0 Ongoing projects
4.1 Non Destructive Testing of Concrete
NDT tests for concrete differs from testing of building materials. NDT Techniques require trial tests on laboratory samples or real structures of known defects/construction and interpretation of site test data based on trial tests carried out in lab or on site.
4.2 Testing of Fly Ash for Concrete
In line with the strategy of the government for a sustainable development, different types of cement are being blended locally using Fly Ash which is otherwise a waste material.
There is a need for testing of Fly Ash for concrete as voiced out by local manufacturers and MSB Standards Committee members. The Reference Standards are the EN 450 series; EN 450-1: Fly Ash for Concrete: Part 1: Definition, specifications and conformity criteria. Since the year 2013, the MSB has been receiving requests for testing of Fly Ash.
The MSB has already started performing a few tests (two tests out of six physical tests) using existing equipment but cannot offer the whole range of tests. Further investment in terms of equipment and local training are needed to determine physical characteristics of Fly Ash for Concrete.
4.3 Testing of Masonry cement
The Mauritian Standard on masonry Cement MS EN-413-1: Composition, Specification and Conformity Criteria.
Masonry cement is commonly used for the production of mortar for brick laying, rendering and plastering. According to construction practice, masonry cement should be defined and specified precisely with sufficient stringent requirements to satisfy those who are responsible for the design and construction of the buildings and other structures for maximum safety and durability. The properties of bond and durability of mortar are therefore very important.
Investment in terms of equipment and local training are needed to determine physical and mechanical characteristics of Masonry Cement.
5.0 Workshops
Workshops are occasionally carried out to disseminate information and promote the activities of the section. Engineers and stakeholders from different sectors of the industry are invited. Testing services are being provided to both the private sector and Government bodies. Workshops have been carried out for Non Destructive Testing of Concrete, Plastic Pipes and Fittings testing, etc.
List of services offered
