The Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) Applied Science & Research Center has received ISO/IEC17025 accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for key concrete testing methods. The accreditation (Certificate Number: 6551.01) entailed a stringent evaluation process with A2LA professionals observing and auditing the Waltham, Mass. facility in 2022. It affirms SGH’s commitment to quality and positions the construction materials testing leader to further enhance services to clients and peers across the industry.
“Our technical professionals and laboratory staff continue to grow their expertise in physical testing, environmental simulations, materials science, microscopy, and research partnerships, and allow us to serve our clients throughout all phases of a project,” says SGH Director of Applied Science and Research Norman Perkins.
The ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation focuses on quality requirements specific to laboratory testing and ensures that recipients have the correct policies, procedures, equipment, and training in place. The recognized testing methods focus primarily on concrete:
- ASTM C39, Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
- ASTM C42, Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
- ASTM C138, Density, Yield, and Air Content of Concrete
- ASTM C143, Slump of Hydraulic Cement Concrete
- ASTM C192, Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory
- ASTM C231, Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
- ASTM C566, Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregates by Drying
- ASTM C469, Static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio of Concrete in Compression
- ASTM C1064, Temperature of Freshly Mixed Hydraulic Cement Concrete
“Our laboratory, its staff, and all our engineers are constantly finding ways to push the boundaries of our testing capabilities,” notes SGH Chief Technical Officer Niklas Vigener. “This accreditation is another example of how we are able to partner with our clients and peers in the AEC industry and beyond.”
A 13,500-sq.-ft. in-house laboratory, the Applied Science & Research Center allows SGH to develop and execute comprehensive testing and research plans to better understand how materials, components, and systems behave. Technical professionals partner with team members in the center to identify project goals, develop testing protocols, interpret results, and advance client solutions.
The accreditation complements American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials concrete testing lab audits. AASHTO includes very specific equipment requirements, procedures, technician training, and competency evaluation activities. ISO 17025 has more general requirements for those activities, but also includes contract review, purchasing, supplier evaluation, customer feedback, nonconforming work, preventive action, and sampling. The standard also includes various requirements for reporting the results of testing that are not covered by AASHTO R 18 quality guidelines.