Materials Testing & Special Inspection Services
GN Northern’s materials testing and inspection division serves projects throughout the northwest, providing project assistance from the initial site preparation through erection and until the final stages of site development. We provide expertise in testing and inspection of soil, concrete, masonry, steel, and asphalt from our Kennewick, Yakima, Spokane Valley, and Hood River and Hermiston offices. We also maintain fully equipped mobile laboratory testing trailers for servicing extended projects at distant sites.
Our engineering technicians and special inspectors are certified in reinforced concrete, structural masonry, and fire proofing by international code council, and the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation (WSDOT). They are also familiar with requirements of the International Building Code (IBC) and local building code requirements. Our field technicians average 15 years of experience in testing and inspection, and are certified by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), International Code Council (ICC), and National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET).
Our laboratory is maintained under our internal Quality Control Program generally meeting ASTM standards. In the implementation of this program, our construction materials testing equipment has been calibrated using standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference standards.
Some of the testing and inspection services we commonly provide include:
- Soil/Fill Compaction Testing
- Concrete Control Testing
- Grout and Mortar Control Testing
- Structural Masonry Inspection
- Structural Steel Inspection
- Weld/High Strength Bolt Inspection
- Concrete and Asphalt Mix Designs
- Asphalt Compaction Testing
- Reinforcing Steel Inspection
- Aggregate Acceptance Testing
- IBC Special Inspections
- Fireproofing Inspection & Testing
Our engineering technicians and special inspectors are familiar with, and perform testing and inspections in accordance with the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Our engineering technicians and special inspectors are certified in reinforced concrete, structural masonry, and fire proofing international code council, the American Concrete Institute (ACI), and National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). Structural Steel and Welding Inspectors are certified by the American Welding Society (AWS).
Testing equipment is calibrated using standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology reference standards. Calibration certificates for our balances, proctor molds, sieve screen, ovens, concrete break machines, nuclear density gauge, and asphalt testing equipment can be furnished to the owner’s representative prior to the start of the work.
We have the resources to successfully complete both small and large projects effectively within the stated budget. Each project, no matter how small, is assigned a Project Manager who maintains a liaison with the client and develops project strategy. A multi-level review process assures quality. With larger projects, a team approach is adopted. While a single Project Manager still maintains client contact, we work together to bring the capability of our combined resources to bear on a problem. This approach allows effective use of our resources, minimizes overhead and keeps us extremely responsive and price competitive. The resources that GN Northern provides, in cooperation with the owner's structural engineer and architect, can assist in successful completion of the client's project. A strong project management concept is followed from the start to the completion of the project.
The focus of the QC testing and inspection team is:
- Perform required special inspection and quality control testing during each phase of construction, monitor various phases of construction for compliance with plans and specifications, witness various phases of construction and support field representatives during various phases of construction.
- Cross utilize team members both effectively and efficiently to accomplish testing and special inspection tasks.
- Maintain direct communication flow between all parties at the site.
- Provide quick turn around for testing and special inspection reports.
- Be responsive in assigning stated tasks and delegating code compliance and testing protocol.
Work performed by our team will be controlled by a comprehensive internal Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual and in compliance with project plans and specifications, and jurisdictional requirements. As part of our Quality Assurance Program, inspection of our laboratory is regularly performed to re-calibrate equipment and detect any deficiencies. Our equipment, tests and procedures are monitored to assure accurate and consistent results. An in-house program of quality assurance compliance is also implemented by the Senior Technical Staff.