Construction materials testing

Construction materials testing involves the examination of structural materials used in construction to ensure they meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards. This process is important to validate the performance and durability of materials under various conditions.

Building materials testing, including material failure analysis, plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, durability, and longevity of buildings and other structures. This process benefits not only businesses but also the occupants who rely on these establishments for safety and functionality.

As industry standards change over time and regulations become stricter, testing is essential to guarantee the quality and credibility of your project and avoid possible legal liabilities.

Construction materials testing is vital in assuring your project meets international building standards, such as those set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), along with local and regional regulations. By meeting these standards, you maintain product quality, which can boost brand reputation and competitiveness.

When considering construction materials testing, account for the need to comply with stringent and ever-changing international building standards. Rigorous building materials testing and regular monitoring are important for quality assurance and risk mitigation, helping to prevent issues that could lead to costly consequences. The integration of testing innovations and the complex process of high-quality testing can impose significant financial strain on companies over time.

TÜV SÜD offers a range of building materials testing services to establish whether the products you use for your project are safe and follow international and regional standards. These services include product certification, material failure analysis, quality assurance, and construction monitoring.

We have over 40 years of experience in testing and certifying construction materials and products, making us one of the world’s most highly respected certification bodies.

We also assist in seamlessly integrating advanced testing technologies like non-destructive testing (NDT) and green product testing into your processes. Our expertise ensures that new technologies enhance your operations without disrupting existing systems.

Our long history of providing construction material testing and our expert knowledge of products in all relevant construction and industry sectors allow us to perform tests and inspections anywhere in the world.

TÜV SÜD’s range of services includes inspection, testing, certification, training, quality assurance systems, and safety and sustainability advisory. Our experts are accredited to issue quality certifications according to a wide variety of international standards and directives.

We support manufacturers by carrying out testing and certification of materials and semi-finished products including ready-mixed concrete (RMC), cement, stone, sand, rebar, glazing, insulation materials, timber products, wall plasters, paints, varnishes, coatings, metal structural products, masonry products, road products, waterproofing membranes and sealants, and building façades.

We offer the following services in accordance with building and construction standards and regulations:

1.Testing and inspection

TÜV SÜD’s experts help you ensure that the materials and products you use meet the stringent quality requirements of different global markets. We perform mechanical and chemical tests on-site or in our full-scale testing laboratories. Our tests and inspections include:

• Evaluation of material selection
• Raw materials analyses
• Damage analyses and assessments
• Non-destructive testing (NDT)
• Warranty testing for material lifespan
• Mechanical testing
• Material characterisation
• Curtain wall performance and skylight testing
• Acoustics testing
• Fire testing
• Green / ecological product testing
• Pipe testing
• Ready-mixed concrete (RMC) inspection
• Civil engineering related material tests
• Water tightness, leakage and wind pressure testing for façades
• Simulated corrosion / weathering resistance and outdoor durability
• Vibration, shock and stress-strain measurement
• Endurance and cyclic performance
• Metallographic and microscopic examination
• Welding inspections
• Maintenance inspections
• Risk assessment regarding potential special failure mechanisms
• Product type testing
• Regulatory testing according to building codes
• Load-bearing capacity and fatigue testing of girders
• Tensile testing on suspension cables
• Pre- and post-construction surveys
• Structural inspection and investigative works

2. Product certification

TÜV SÜD is a notified body for testing and certification of several materials and semi-finished products according to various international standards and directives. We provide:

• Certification of materials in compliance with international standards (ASTM, EN, BS, DIN, DVGW)
• Certification of metal, concrete, masonry, timber and road products as per European Construction Products
• Directive 89/106/EEC (CPD)
• Certification of ready-mixed concrete in SAC accredited plants according to SS EN 206-1, SS 544 and CT06 as per BCA requirements
• Product Listing Scheme (PLS) certification of building and fire safety material
• AD 2000-W0, TRD 100, KTA 3201.1, KTA 3211.1 and Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC (PED) certification standards for manufacturers of raw materials used in pressure vessels and steam boilers
• Issue of particular material appraisals (PMA) as per PED 97/23/EC and preparation and verification of restamping approvals
• Preparation or review of material specifications
• Certification of recycled content in construction products according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard

3. Failure analysis

TÜV SÜD’s engineers can conduct scientific analyses to detect the root causes of material and product failures and make recommendations to prevent future failures. We also provide technical support in dispute cases, including expert witness support in court.

4. Quality assurance and construction monitoring

We offer a complete, project-oriented quality assurance system throughout the whole building construction, monitoring progress and inspecting materials and production processes to reassure all stakeholders of the technical and financial safety of a project.

5. Safety and sustainability advisory

TÜV SÜD’s energy and safety experts provide comprehensive services addressing the effectiveness, safety and sustainability of all materials and products used in construction projects. We assess the energy consumption, energy efficiency and safety of all construction materials to ensure the structural stability, safety and fire protection of buildings and infrastructure. We also provide guidelines to meet the requirements of international sustainability rating systems such as LEED (U.S.), BREEAM (UK) and DGNB (Germany).

6. Training

TÜV SÜD’s global network of experts offers training programmes for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 management systems for manufacturers of construction materials, building owners and developers.