The NCMA Laboratory is dedicated to the scientific testing and research of concrete masonry products and systems. Staffed by professional engineers and technicians with many years of experience in the concrete masonry industry, the Laboratory is equipped to perform nearly any physical testing of concrete masonry units and assemblages. When necessary, testing can be done quickly to support your particular situation. The Laboratory performs research and development work for both the Association and individual companies. The Laboratory staff is also available for consultation on developing a research program to demonstrate the performance characteristics of a specific material, product or masonry system. Many members of NCMA already take advantage of the Laboratory’s masonry testing expertise for quality assurance and product certification testing.

Laboratory Capabilities Include:

Unit testing. Comprehensive Strength, Flexural Strength, Absorption, Initial Rate of Absorption, Efflorescence Testing, Linear Drying Shrinkage, Freeze-Thaw Durability, Water Permeance Resistance, Air Permeance Resistance
Prism Testing. Compressive Strength, Flexural Bond Strength Mortar Testing
Compressive Strength, Water Retention, Air Content, Consistency by Cone Penetration, Initial Consistency and Consistency Retention by Modified Concrete Penetrometer, Aggregate Ratio, Water Content, Splitting Tensile Strength
Wall Testing. Flexural Strength, Compressive Strength, Racking Strength, Diagonal Tensile Strength, Water Permeance Resistance, Air Permeance Resistance
Segmental Retaining Wall Testing. NCMA Test Method SRWU-1, “Determination of Connection Strength between Geosynthetics and Segmental Concrete Units” and NCMA Test Method SRWU-1, “Determination of Shear Strength between Segmental Concrete Units”. Product testing for compliance to ASTM C 1372, Standard Specification for Segmental Retaining Wall Units
Grout Testing. Compressive Strength, Grout Bond Strength
Aggregates. Sieve Analysis, Unit Weight, Organic Impurities, Clay Lumps and Friable Particles, Loss on Ignition, Staining Materials, Shrinkage, Pop-Out Materials, Minus 200 Mesh, Specific Gravity, Absorption