Construction Materials Testing
Civil engineering testing instruments built to current IS, ASTM and BS standards, with the standard numbers checked rather than copied.
This sector has a specific, unglamorous problem: catalogues across the industry cite standards that have been revised or withdrawn. IS 13311 was absorbed into the IS 516 family in 2018. ASTM withdrew D1559 for Marshall stability in 1998 and D422 for hydrometer analysis in 2016. IS 2720 Parts 7 and 8 — light and heavy compaction — appear reversed on a surprising number of product listings. Every standard cited on this site has been checked against the issuing body, and where one has been superseded we show both numbers so you can update your quality manual rather than inherit the error.
Tests run here
- Compressive strength of concrete cubes and cylinders
- Cement consistency, setting time, fineness and soundness
- CBR, compaction and Atterberg limits on soil
- Los Angeles abrasion, impact and crushing value on aggregate
- Bitumen penetration, softening point and ductility
- Marshall mix design for bituminous concrete
- Non-destructive testing — rebound hammer and pulse velocity
Governed by
- IS 516, IS 4031, IS 2720, IS 2386, IS 1203/1205/1208
- MoRTH Specifications for Road and Bridge Works
- ASTM and AASHTO where specified by the client
- NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025
- weighing
What this sector draws on
Compression Testing Machine, 2000 kN, Digital
Digital compression testing machine with controlled pace rate for concrete cubes, cylinders and cement mortar specimens.
IndentIS 14858Capacity: 2000 kN (also 500, 1000, 1500 and 3000 kN)
Specification for Compression Testing Machine, 2000 kN, Digital
Specification for Compression Testing Machine, 2000 kN, Digital Capacity 2000 kN (also 500, 1000, 1500 and 3000 kN) Pace rate 1–20 kN/s, displayed and controlled Readout Direct load in kN and stress in N/mm² Accuracy class Grade A, ±1% of indicated load Frame Four-column welded steel Platens Hardened, ground and lapped Power 415 V, 3-phase, 50 Hz Site preparation Required — foundation or utilities Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Operator training · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 14858IS 516 (Part 1/Sec 1) : 2021Typical applications
- Compressive strength of concrete cubes and cylinders
- Compressive strength of cement mortar
- Compressive strength of masonry units
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Compression Testing Machine, 2000 kN, Digital →
Slump Test Apparatus
Slump cone, base plate and tamping rod for measuring the workability of fresh concrete.
Ex-stockIS 1199 (Part 2) : 2018Cone dimensions: 200 mm bottom ø × 100 mm top ø × 300 mm high
Specification for Slump Test Apparatus
Specification for Slump Test Apparatus Cone dimensions 200 mm bottom ø × 100 mm top ø × 300 mm high Cone material Metal, minimum 1.6 mm (16 SWG) thickness Tamping rod 16 mm ø × 600 mm, hemispherical tip Base plate Machined steel with foot rests Services Spares & consumables Standards
IS 1199 (Part 2) : 2018IS 7320ASTM C143Typical applications
- Workability of fresh concrete at batching plant and site
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Slump Test Apparatus →
Vicat Needle Apparatus
Determines standard consistency and initial and final setting time of cement paste.
Ex-stockIS 5513Plunger: 10 ± 0.05 mm ø × 50 ± 1 mm long
Specification for Vicat Needle Apparatus
Specification for Vicat Needle Apparatus Plunger 10 ± 0.05 mm ø × 50 ± 1 mm long Initial setting needle 1.13 mm ø (1 mm²) square section Final setting needle Annular attachment, 5 mm from tip Moving assembly mass 300 ± 1 g Scale 0–50 mm graduated, 1 mm divisions Rod clearance 0.25 mm, with dashpot damping Services Calibration · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 5513IS 4031 (Part 4)IS 4031 (Part 5)EN 196-3Typical applications
- Standard consistency of cement
- Initial and final setting time of cement and cement blends
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Vicat Needle Apparatus →
Le Chatelier Mould, Set of Six
Split brass cylinders with indicator arms for determining the soundness of cement by expansion.
Ex-stockIS 4031 (Part 3)Cylinder: 30 mm internal ø × 30 mm high, 0.5 mm wall
Specification for Le Chatelier Mould, Set of Six
Specification for Le Chatelier Mould, Set of Six Cylinder 30 mm internal ø × 30 mm high, 0.5 mm wall Indicator arms 165 mm long from centre of cylinder Material Brass Supplied with Glass plates and 100 g lead weights Services Spares & consumables Standards
IS 4031 (Part 3)IS 5514EN 196-3Typical applications
- Soundness of cement by Le Chatelier expansion
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Le Chatelier Mould, Set of Six →
Blaine Air Permeability Apparatus
Determines the fineness of cement and pozzolana as specific surface area by air permeability.
IndentIS 4031 (Part 2)Permeability cell: Brass, with perforated disc and plunger
Specification for Blaine Air Permeability Apparatus
Specification for Blaine Air Permeability Apparatus Permeability cell Brass, with perforated disc and plunger Manometer U-tube with four etched marks Result Specific surface in cm²/g or m²/kg Reference material Requires standard cement for cell calibration Services Calibration · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 4031 (Part 2)IS 5516ASTM C204EN 196-6Typical applications
- Fineness of OPC, PPC, PSC, fly ash and GGBS
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Blaine Air Permeability Apparatus →
CBR Testing Machine, Motorised, with Proving Ring
Motorised load frame for determining the California Bearing Ratio of subgrade and pavement layer materials.
IndentIS 2720 (Part 16)Frame capacity: 50 kN
Specification for CBR Testing Machine, Motorised, with Proving Ring
Specification for CBR Testing Machine, Motorised, with Proving Ring Frame capacity 50 kN Penetration rate 1.25 mm/min (fixed, as specified) Mould 150 mm ø × 175 mm with collar and perforated base Penetration piston 50 mm ø × 100 mm long Surcharge weights 2.5 kg annular and slotted Proving ring 10 kN with 0.002 mm dial gauge Power 415 V, 3-phase or 230 V single-phase to order Site preparation Required — foundation or utilities Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Operator training · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 2720 (Part 16)IS 9669ASTM D1883Typical applications
- CBR of subgrade, sub-base and base course materials
- Pavement thickness design input
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for CBR Testing Machine, Motorised, with Proving Ring →
Liquid Limit Device (Casagrande), Hand Operated
Casagrande cup apparatus for determining the liquid limit and, with the grooving tools, the plasticity characteristics of soil.
Ex-stockIS 2720 (Part 5)Cup: Brass, standard Casagrande profile
Specification for Liquid Limit Device (Casagrande), Hand Operated
Specification for Liquid Limit Device (Casagrande), Hand Operated Cup Brass, standard Casagrande profile Drop height 10 mm, set with the supplied gauge block Grooving tools Casagrande and ASTM patterns supplied Base Standard hard rubber Counter Mechanical blow counter Services Calibration · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 2720 (Part 5)IS 9259ASTM D4318BS 1377-2Typical applications
- Liquid limit of fine-grained soils
- Soil classification for pavement and foundation design
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Liquid Limit Device (Casagrande), Hand Operated →
Compaction Rammer, Light — 2.6 kg, 310 mm Drop
Standard Proctor rammer for the light compaction test — 2.6 kg mass falling through 310 mm.
Ex-stockIS 2720 (Part 7)Rammer mass: 2.6 kg
Specification for Compaction Rammer, Light — 2.6 kg, 310 mm Drop
Specification for Compaction Rammer, Light — 2.6 kg, 310 mm Drop Rammer mass 2.6 kg Free fall 310 mm Face diameter 50 mm Guide Vented sleeve Services Calibration · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 2720 (Part 7)IS 9198ASTM D698Typical applications
- Standard Proctor moisture–density relationship
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Compaction Rammer, Light — 2.6 kg, 310 mm Drop →
Compaction Rammer, Heavy — 4.89 kg, 450 mm Drop
Modified Proctor rammer for the heavy compaction test — 4.89 kg mass falling through 450 mm.
Ex-stockIS 2720 (Part 8)Rammer mass: 4.89 kg
Specification for Compaction Rammer, Heavy — 4.89 kg, 450 mm Drop
Specification for Compaction Rammer, Heavy — 4.89 kg, 450 mm Drop Rammer mass 4.89 kg Free fall 450 mm Face diameter 50 mm Services Calibration · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 2720 (Part 8)IS 9198ASTM D1557Typical applications
- Modified Proctor moisture–density relationship for heavily loaded pavements
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Compaction Rammer, Heavy — 4.89 kg, 450 mm Drop →
Direct Shear Apparatus, Motorised
Shear box apparatus for determining the cohesion and angle of internal friction of soil.
IndentIS 2720 (Part 13)Shear boxes: 60 × 60 mm and 100 × 100 mm
Specification for Direct Shear Apparatus, Motorised
Specification for Direct Shear Apparatus, Motorised Shear boxes 60 × 60 mm and 100 × 100 mm Strain rates Multi-speed gearbox, typically 0.00012–1.25 mm/min Normal load Lever-arm loading yoke with weights Measurement Proving ring and dial gauges, or load cell and LVDT Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Operator training · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 2720 (Part 13)IS 11229ASTM D3080Typical applications
- Shear strength parameters c and φ for foundation and slope design
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Direct Shear Apparatus, Motorised →
Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine
Rotating drum with steel charge for determining the abrasion resistance of coarse aggregate.
IndentIS 2386 (Part 4)Drum: 700 mm internal ø × 500 mm internal length
Specification for Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine
Specification for Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine Drum 700 mm internal ø × 500 mm internal length Shelf Removable steel, projecting 88 mm radially Speed 30–33 rev/min Counter Pre-settable digital, 500 / 1000 revolutions Abrasive charge Cast iron spheres, 46–48 mm ø, ~390–445 g each Site preparation Required — foundation or utilities Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 2386 (Part 4)IS 10070ASTM C131Typical applications
- Los Angeles abrasion value of aggregate for road and concrete work
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine →
Aggregate Impact Testing Machine
Determines the aggregate impact value — resistance to sudden shock as distinct from gradual load.
Ex-stockIS 2386 (Part 4)Hammer mass: 13.5–14.0 kg
Specification for Aggregate Impact Testing Machine
Specification for Aggregate Impact Testing Machine Hammer mass 13.5–14.0 kg Free fall 380 ± 5 mm Cup 102 mm ø × 50 mm deep Base mass 20–30 kg Blow counter Mechanical, 15 blows Services Calibration · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 2386 (Part 4)BS 812-112Typical applications
- Aggregate impact value for road aggregate acceptance
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Aggregate Impact Testing Machine →
Aggregate Crushing Value Test Apparatus
Cylinder, plunger and base plate set for determining aggregate crushing value under gradually applied compressive load.
Ex-stockIS 2386 (Part 4)Cylinder: 150 mm internal ø
Specification for Aggregate Crushing Value Test Apparatus
Specification for Aggregate Crushing Value Test Apparatus Cylinder 150 mm internal ø Test load 400 kN applied in 10 minutes Tamping rod 16 mm ø × 600 mm Supplied with Cylindrical measure and metal tray Services Spares & consumables Standards
IS 2386 (Part 4)BS 812-110Typical applications
- Aggregate crushing value for pavement and concrete aggregate
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Aggregate Crushing Value Test Apparatus →
Test Sieves — Woven Wire and Perforated Plate
Stainless steel and brass test sieves in 200 mm, 300 mm and 450 mm frame sizes, with matching lids and receivers.
Ex-stockIS 460 (Part 1) : 2020Fine sieves (200 mm): 10 µm to 600 µm woven wire
Specification for Test Sieves — Woven Wire and Perforated Plate
Specification for Test Sieves — Woven Wire and Perforated Plate Fine sieves (200 mm) 10 µm to 600 µm woven wire Coarse sieves (300/450 mm) 5 mm to 175 mm perforated plate Frame materials Stainless steel, brass or GI Certification Conformity certificate; NABL calibration to order Services Calibration · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 460 (Part 1) : 2020IS 460 (Part 2)IS 1607ASTM E11Typical applications
- Particle size distribution of soil, aggregate, cement and powders
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Test Sieves — Woven Wire and Perforated Plate →
Sieve Shaker — Electromagnetic and Rotap
Mechanical sieve shakers with timer control, in electromagnetic and rotary-tapping configurations.
IndentIS 1607Electromagnetic: Amplitude control, digital timer, 200 mm sieve stack
Specification for Sieve Shaker — Electromagnetic and Rotap
Specification for Sieve Shaker — Electromagnetic and Rotap Electromagnetic Amplitude control, digital timer, 200 mm sieve stack Rotap Combined rotary and tapping action, 200/300 mm Capacity 6–8 sieves plus lid and receiver Timer 0–60 minutes, digital Services Installation & commissioning · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 1607Typical applications
- Reproducible mechanical sieving for gradation analysis
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Sieve Shaker — Electromagnetic and Rotap →
Marshall Stability Testing Machine, Digital
Load frame with breaking head and flow measurement for determining the stability and flow of bituminous mixtures.
IndentASTM D6927Capacity: 50 kN
Specification for Marshall Stability Testing Machine, Digital
Specification for Marshall Stability Testing Machine, Digital Capacity 50 kN Loading rate 50.8 mm/min (2 in/min) Breaking head Standard 101.6 mm, with 152.4 mm to order Flow measurement Digital, 0.01 mm resolution Readout Stability in kN and flow in mm, with peak hold Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Operator training · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
ASTM D6927AASHTO T245ASTM D1559withdrawn → ASTM D6927Typical applications
- Marshall mix design for bituminous concrete
- Quality control of asphalt production
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Marshall Stability Testing Machine, Digital →
Penetrometer, Fully Automatic — Bitumen, Grease, Petrolatum and Wax
Optoelectronic penetrometer covering needle penetration of bitumen and petroleum wax and cone penetration of lubricating grease and petrolatum, with motorised placement and a 0.01 mm readout.
Ex-stockIS 1203 : 2022Test condition, bitumen: 100 g total load, 5 s, 25 °C
Specification for Penetrometer, Fully Automatic — Bitumen, Grease, Petrolatum and Wax
Specification for Penetrometer, Fully Automatic — Bitumen, Grease, Petrolatum and Wax Test condition, bitumen 100 g total load, 5 s, 25 °C Resolution 0.01 mm on the display; bitumen results report in 0.1 mm penetration units Measurement Optoelectronic sensor on the penetrator shaft Placement Motorised lowering of the penetrator onto the sample surface Timer Automatic digital, ±0.1 s Control Touch-screen programmable display Levelling Built-in spirit level with levelling screws Illumination Low-voltage sample illuminator Base Large removable base, taking grease worker cups and non-standard sample containers Penetrators Full range of cones and needles for the methods listed above, quoted to the tests you run Other methods cited DIN 52010 · DIN 51804 · DIN 51580 · DIN 51579 · FTM 791-311 · FTM 791-313 Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Operator training · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 1203 : 2022ASTM D5/D5MEN 1426AASHTO T49IP 49ASTM D217IP 50ASTM D1403IP 310ASTM D937IP 179ISO 2137ASTM D1321IP 376Typical applications
- Penetration grading of bitumen (VG and pen grades)
- NLGI consistency grading of lubricating grease
- Cone penetration of petrolatum
- Needle penetration of petroleum waxes
Also known as
- Standard penetrometer for bitumen
- Grease cone penetrometer
- Universal penetrometer
Ring and Ball Apparatus, Automatic (Softening Point)
Automatic softening point apparatus with programmable heating rate and optical ball detection.
IndentIS 1205 : 2022Heating rate: 5 °C/min ± 0.5 °C/min, programmable, as IS 1205 requires
Specification for Ring and Ball Apparatus, Automatic (Softening Point)
Specification for Ring and Ball Apparatus, Automatic (Softening Point) Heating rate 5 °C/min ± 0.5 °C/min, programmable, as IS 1205 requires Temperature resolution 0.01 °C Bath media Water 25–80 °C; glycerine 80–157 °C Detection Optical — the apparatus detects and calculates the softening point itself Bath uniformity Magnetic stirrer, to hold an even temperature across both rings Specimen handling One-touch raise and lower of the ring assembly Stored results Last ten readings held in the controller Output Touch screen with USB data export Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Operator training · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 1205 : 2022ASTM D36EN 1427AASHTO T53IP 58Typical applications
- Softening point of bitumen, modified binders and coal tar pitch
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Ring and Ball Apparatus, Automatic (Softening Point) →
Ductility Testing Machine, Refrigerated
Water-bath ductility machine with integrated refrigeration and precise temperature control.
IndentIS 1208 (Part 1) : 2023Test temperature: 25 °C ± 0.1 °C, refrigerated to ~10 °C
Specification for Ductility Testing Machine, Refrigerated
Specification for Ductility Testing Machine, Refrigerated Test temperature 25 °C ± 0.1 °C, refrigerated to ~10 °C Pulling rate 50 mm/min ± 2.5 mm/min; second speed 10 mm/min Scale 0–100 cm, 1 mm divisions Bath Stainless steel with stirrer and circulation Briquette moulds Set of three, with base plates Site preparation Required — foundation or utilities Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
IS 1208 (Part 1) : 2023ASTM D113AASHTO T51Typical applications
- Ductility of bitumen and polymer-modified binders
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Ductility Testing Machine, Refrigerated →
Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO)
Simulates the short-term ageing a binder undergoes during mixing and laydown.
IndentASTM D2872Test temperature: 163 °C ± 0.5 °C
Specification for Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO)
Specification for Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) Test temperature 163 °C ± 0.5 °C Carriage speed 15 ± 0.2 rev/min Air flow 4000 ± 300 ml/min Capacity 8 glass bottles Site preparation Required — foundation or utilities Services Installation & commissioning · Calibration · Annual maintenance contract · Spares & consumables Standards
ASTM D2872AASHTO T240EN 12607-1IS 15799 : 2021Typical applications
- Short-term binder ageing for Superpave and VG grading
Full record, hazard data and enquiry for Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) →
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