The construction industry is one of the prominent commerce that needs a lot of work. The quality of the materials utilized, particularly in this kind of business, may often make the best of a bad situation. The statement is especially true in the construction industry, where failure may have severe ramifications. Materials testing applications are usually included in the research and development process to verify that the final product satisfies quality and safety requirements.  Balances and scales play a crucial function in the testing of building materials. What is the purpose of testing construction materials? There is a wide range of circumstances to evaluate the properties and behaviour of substances such as metals, masonry, concrete, and asphalt during a material testing procedure. The most apparent purpose of testing is to ensure that the finished product will perform as planned and will be able to withstand the pressures associated with that purpose. In addition to safety and economic considerations, professionals should perform material testing to verify that material is appropriate for the design and structure made on a particular place or site. How to Set Up a Field Laboratory for the Testing of Construction Materials Establishing a field laboratory to test building materials is often required in the contract agreements for large-scale construction projects. Launching a remote place may help to alleviate specific logistical difficulties. The Advantages of Using a Field Laboratory Transporting large quantities of samples or test elements to the main lab is quite expensive, time-consuming, and fraught with the possibility of materials lost or specimens bound to be damaged.  Time restrictions may apply to the execution of specified tests and the reporting of findings.  When the sheer number of tests needed on a single project needs to be a part of the everyday workload of a central lab, it may be difficult for them to handle. Planning the Place and Procedures Most central building materials labs begin with a few essential things and gradually add additional equipment as the demand for it arises over many years. When you have to set up a testing lab from the ground up in a short period, you must think differently.  In some instances, reassigning existing equipment from the main facility may be possible if the needs are simple and will only be in place for a brief period. However, the little provision will go a long way toward securing the launch of a well-equipped remote lab and assurance of the safety of the people and the raw materials. What Methods Do We Use to Examine the Extent of Construction Materials? Materials examination and testing encompass a wide range of applications investigating the composition, biological properties, and chemical characteristics of several different materials.  Even though the specific tests used vary from industry to industry, popular methods include specific gravity, unit mass tests, and density measurement. It also provides compression strength, flexural strength, permeability, tensile strength, and elasticity. Other tests might include heat capacity, thermal expansion, and drying shrinkage for some minimal materials. When determining the specific gravity of cured materials, such as concrete or asphalt, precision balances from Nimbus may be utilized. Specific gravity’s definition is a relationship between the density of a material and the density of a liquid, such as water for liquid or air, including gasses. When used with a weigh-below hook in the field, the CKT and Highland are equally effective. Still, the Highland has the additional advantage of having an internal rechargeable battery for mobility and usage on the job site. For specific gravity testing with the Nimbus precision balance, a sample needs to weigh the balance’s pan, and you need to record the resulting value. The model is then put in a basket connected to the balance’s weigh-below hook and dropped into a water container below, with Nimbus set on a tabletop with a cutout.  After recording the weight of the submerged sample, comparing it to the first result, and calculating the specific gravity of the model, you need to turn off the equipment. In addition, the same procedure goes to estimate the density of a liquid. Material testing is critical in concrete production, a composite material that comes from many distinct components. Concrete is an excellent example of a product whose quality is highly reliant on materials testing results. Water, cement, and air are all used in concrete production, while good bits such as sand and coarse aggregates like gravel account for most of the total volume. To determine the hardness of the concrete, you need to consider the mix and kinds of aggregates used in its production. Examining the particular gravity of concrete is a reliable method to verify that it will withstand the weight of a structure without breaking or crumbling. What Is the Purpose of a Weighing Scale in Construction? When working on design and construction projects, it is beneficial to have an accurate weighing scale. When managing your supply of construction and design materials, keeping track of stock levels is critical.  An insufficient supply of materials may prevent the project from moving further. Because of an overabundance of inventory, building goods may lie unused for extended periods, resulting in a waste of money and space.  It is possible to plan and buy the appropriate supplies to accomplish your project if you weigh the items before using them. Establishing a Space for Research and Development Before purchasing equipment, consider the available space, the anticipated workload, and production, as well as the number of personnel who will be required to operate it.  The ability to anticipate equipment footprints, ergonomics and test technique needs enables for more effective planning moving ahead.  Their manufacturers may specify individual devices in terms of their size and operating space needs. Because it is essential to the viability and safety of a building project, it deserves special attention. Construction materials testing may show a wide range of problems relating to the overall building quality. Engineers and stakeholders may use it to identify potential hazards in the future, categorize a construction site,

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to announce the completion of the comprehensive refurbishment of a 74,600 sqft building to Grade A standard logistics, storage and distribution warehouses at Aberdeen One, a new urban logistics park in the Altens Industrial Estate on the south side of Aberdeen. Working closely with client Titan Investors, SGP reconfigured the existing building into two units of 28,000 sqft and 40,000 sqft (plus office provision), with the former being a shell only refurbishment and the latter pre-let to FedEx. Explains Marcus Madden-Smith, Partner at SGP: “Aberdeen One is a new area for logistics at the popular Altens Industrial Estate, historically well established in the oil and gas industry but equally able to diversify to meet the growing demand for logistics and distribution hubs in the area. We took the decision to reuse, repurpose and refurbish the existing structure as a sustainable alternative to demolishing it. We developed the size and layout of the units and surrounding service yard to meet the needs of the local market and our client has already disclosed the likelihood of future phases on site.” In addition to new internal walls to create the subdivision, the external envelop has been reclad with a neutral palette of grey and white cladding, creating a contemporary modern look. Additional level access doors have been added to both units. Unit 1 includes a new external office area, plus eight dock levellers, three of which are to accommodate the double deck trailers of European lorries. Concludes Marcus: “These new units at Aberdeen One are the latest in SGP’s continuing development of Scottish projects. Our knowledge of the technical aspects of the Scottish planning system and the positive working relationship with the Aberdeen City Council planners and warrant office made the process efficient and we look forward to working with them on future phases of the site.”

Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, has announced it was working up plans to develop its biggest-ever speculative logistics building in the UK, a 630,000 sq ft facility in Yorkshire.  The 630,000 sq ft facility will be built along with a smaller 85,000 sq ft facility by junction 1 of the M18 at Rotherham on a 40-acre site, which Panattoni has recently acquired from Stretton Denman. Panattoni is aiming to submit a reserved matters planning application in the next few weeks, with a view to beginning construction in the first quarter of 2022. The 715,000 sq ft development, called Interchange Park, is part of Panattoni’s commitment to a significant speculative development programme in the UK in 2021 in response to strong demand from occupiers for immediately available space. The acquisition of Interchange Park increases the size of Panattoni’s current speculative building development programme to around 4.2 million sq ft across eight locations across the North and Midlands, the largest of which are at South Normanton, Derby, Northampton and Crewe.  “Our continued appetite for speculative development reflects the strength of demand from occupiers for immediately available space. In the first quarter of this year half of all take-up in the logistics sector was of speculative developments, driven by demand from e-commerce companies. And in the last 12 months alone, we have let more than 6 million sq ft of space,” said Dan Burn, Development Director for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni. “Having let our speculative Wakefield 515 development in May, we are delighted to have acquired this strategic site and look forward to bringing this nationally significant scheme forward over the coming months.” Interchange Park is located in an established distribution location, immediately adjacent to junction 1 of the M18 and just two miles from junction 32 of the M1. Local occupiers include Great Bear, Clipper Logistics, DX and FedEx.  Letting agents at Interchange Park are M1 Agency, Legat Owen and Knight Frank.

Scheme will deliver further 109,250 sq. ft industrial space on popular development along with 200 jobs Network Space has secured unanimous planning approval for the second phase of its Tunstall Arrow development, providing an additional 109,250 sq. ft of industrial workspace on the 7.3-acre plot, and bringing an additional 200 jobs to the region. Tunstall Arrow is a 28-acre former colliery site adjoining the A527 (James Brindley Way) in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, which was acquired by Network Space in 2013. The site is within close proximity of the A500, with access to Junction 16 of the M6 within minutes.  This second phase will provide five detached, self-contained, units ranging from 13,000 up to 30,000 sq. ft. and bring the brownfield land back into long term employment use. The site transformation will include significant remediation work needed to address historic coal workings and disused mine shafts. Works should begin in Q3 this year. The development will deliver high-specification business premises for industrial or distribution uses, building on the success of Phase One which opened early in 2019 and is fully let. These five units are already supporting hundreds of jobs within the 130,000 sq. ft development; home to international businesses including: Dutch tool and equipment hire company Boels Rental, German global delivery service DHL Express, Australian fleet management company SG Fleet Group, Italian generator & equipment hire specialist Pramac-Generac and German balustrade manufacturer Q-railing. Tunstall Arrow is being developed in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, as part of the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone covering 3.3 million sq. ft of commercial space across six key sites along the A500 corridor. Simon Peters, Development Director at Network Space, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning for Phase Two of the Tunstall Arrow Enterprise Zone site. Our principal objective is to build on the success of Phase One that has enjoyed full occupancy since it opened. Demand for high quality, modern, employment space across the region certainly shows no sign of abating in the short to medium term. He added: “Stoke-on-Trent City Council continues to be forward-thinking, recognising the potential of Tunstall Arrow to attract further inward investment and provide job opportunities for the city. This will help to secure the region’s reputation as one of the most sought-after areas for the industrial and logistic sectors and help address the acute shortage of employment space.” Cllr Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Working with a number of partners, we have created one of the most successful enterprise zones in the country, generating hundreds of jobs and improving the local economy by £18.55m in gross value added. “Development and business has continued at pace through the pandemic and today’s news for Phase Two of the Tunstall Arrow Enterprise Zone site further re-enforces that Stoke-on-Trent really is on the up. We continue to work to support businesses in the area and show them that this city is the place to base your business. It also very much fits with our ambitions through the Stoke-on-Trent prospectus which talks about one plan and one conversation to bring forward investment in key sectors. “I look forward to seeing this next phase come forward and I believe it will be as successful as phase one, not only for the benefits it brings to the local community but for the jobs it directly creates in the area.” Network Space has been providing industrial workspace and warehousing for almost 40 years and intends to deliver 2.5 million sq. ft of industrial property over the next five years. The agents are Mounsey Chartered Surveyors, based in Stoke-on-Trent.