The Frequency Of Various Tests

In the first stage of construction the first test shall be taken is the In-Situ Density
test but I was a bit stock when the consultant asked about the frequency of
compaction test of in-situ soil. I made a research immediately just within the
contract project documents: specification, drawing, bill of quantity but most often it
is written on the specification, sometimes it is also written in the General
Specification on the structural drawing.

I would try to post some frequencies of different tests for newbies or for those who
has years of experience already to bookmark this page as your reference. So that it
will be very easy for you to find out and come back again on this post. Especially in
the world of technologies today has huge difference from the past, what I mean is if
you have android mobile or tablet with you when you are at the site you can use it
to browse this post and see immediately “The Frequency Of Test” that you need of.
Here are the frequency of tests for soil.

S/ Qty. of
Description Area Test Frequency
N test

1 Soil

1.A Compaction Under Footing Every 200 square One

test meter

Under Wall Footing Every 30 linear meter One

Under Slab on Every 1000 square One

Grade meter

1.B CBR Below pavement Every 5000 cubic One

meter sample

1.C Proctor test Soil Stockpile Every new material One

sample

1.D Atterberg Soil Stockpile Every new material One

Limit: sample
Liquid Limit
Plasticity Index
Plastic Limit

1.E Sieve Analysis Soil Stockpile Every new material One

sample
Here are the frequency of tests for steel reinforcement or rebar.
 S/ Test
Description Area Qty. of test
N Frequency

1 Steel reinforcement

1. Chemical Test Concrete Every 100 2 sample for each bar

A elements ton size

1. Mechanical Concrete Every 100 2 sample for each bar

B Test elements ton size
Here are the frequency of tests for concrete.

S/
Description Area Test Frequency Qty. of Test
N

1 Concrete

1.A Compression Footing, Raft every 100 cubic 6 cubes (1

Test Foundation, Pile meter of concrete set)
Foundation

Slab, Grade beam every 50 cubic 6 cubes (1

meter of concrete set)

Column every 30 cubic 6 cubes (1

meter of concrete set)

1.B Durability: Foundation Bi-monthly or 3 cubes for

RCP every 700 cubic RCP
Absorption meter 3 cubes for
Test Absorption
Permeability 3 cubes for
Test Permeability

2 Concrete Masonry Unit - CMU

2.A Compression External Walls and Every new 3 samples of

test Internal partitions supplier CMU

2.B Dimension External Walls and Every new 3 samples of

check Internal partitions supplier CMU
Here are the frequency of tests for Aggregate in a concrete batching plant.
 Qty.
S/
Description Test Frequency of
N
test

1 Aggregate

1. Grading Each two weeks or per 100 cubic meter One

A whichever is more frequent

1. Material Fines Each two weeks or per 100 cubic meter One
B whichever is more frequent

1. Clay lumps and Friable Each two weeks or per 100 cubic meter One
C Particles whichever is more frequent

1. Organic Impurities Each month or 200 cubic meter One

D whichever is more frequent

1. Water absorption Each month or 200 cubic meter One

E whichever is more frequent

1. Specific gravity Each month or 200 cubic meter One

F whichever is more frequent

1. Shell content Each 2 months or per 100 cubic meter One

G

1. Moisture variation in sand Daily Two

H by moisture meter
I am hoping that these frequencies of tests have helped the engineers in the
number of test requirements for their respective project but as I noticed the
frequency of tests may vary and depending on a specification of the project so the
engineers should go through on their respective contract specification and verify
the above frequencies but still these frequencies will serve you as a guide.