The BNSI Laboratory offers services to meet the needs and demands of the building and construction industry. Key to the services offered include:
Soil Testing
Secure your Investment
For a small price you can enjoy peace of mine with possibly your largest investment. Without the right foundations, buildings may move and walls may crack. Why expose yourself to risk at the expense of a soil test? With a soil test, problems can be discovered prior to purchase of land or commencement of construction. Being aware of any challenges enables you to determine future costs and assist you to make an informed decision about the suitability of the land for building. This is a better alternative than discovering problems after you have purchased the land or construction has commenced.
The Soil Test
Equipment is used to collect information and samples at various levels on the site. Samples are then taken to the BNSI Laboratory for testing. A detailed report and summary of data is prepared for the client. This report will be used by the engineer to design the foundations in accordance with relevant Barbados National Standards and guidance of the Barbados National Building Code. This design will match the site conditions, give you peace of mind and reduce the risk of over design hence saving you money.
Foundations and Design
Soil testing is a fundamental aspect of foundation design. Foundations are critical to the integrity of every structure as it is the interface with the soil or rock below. Soil has a variety of properties which can vary from place to place and from layer to layer, even within the limits of the proposed structure. Clay, silt, sand and loam are the main categories, but mixtures of these are often found around Barbados.
At times soil characteristics may change considerably within a small area. Weather, climatic changes, and site management may, in the future, affect the bearing qualities of the soil. If the foundations are not designed to the carrying capacity of the soils then they will fail and so will the building.
Concrete Block Compression Testing
Cement content is important to allow engineers to gauge the structural stability of any building or concrete structure where it is used.
Cement is a material that is manufactured with strict quality controls and thus has strengths that are known. Structural engineers use this known factor to design concrete mixes that allow the concrete to gain the strength desired for the structure where it is to be used.
Concrete block compression test indicates the strength of the concrete block once it hardens. The compressive strength test is performed by assessing the force needed to break concrete cylinders in varying levels of hardness.
Soil and concrete blocks testing requirements can be prepared and reviewed for your project specifications. The review will ensure that all testing is in accordance with acceptable standards.
