NCD980602163_19970101_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_January 1997 Description of Laboratory Capabilites-OCR

S&ME, INC.
DESCRIPTION
OF
LABORATORY CAPABILITIES
January 1997
Rock:
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NC DOT, ALCOA, TVA
Moisture Content
Dry Unit Weight
Specific Gravity
Porosity
Unconfined Compression
Unconfined Compression with Young's Modulus
Unconfined Compression with Young's Modulus and
Poisson's Ratio
Direct Shear
Triaxial Compression
Geosynthetics: Landfill, Stability, Bearing Capacity
0 Moisture Content
0 Thickness Measurements
0 Density (Unit Weight)
0 Specific Gravity
0 Dimensional Stability
0 Seam Shear
0 Seam Peel
0 Tensile Property
0 Tear Resistance
0 Carbon Black Content
0 Melt Index
0 Hydraulic Burst Strength
0 Puncture Strength
0 Grab Tensile Strength
0 Trapezoid Tear Strength
0 Water Perm·eability
PREFACE
For over 30 years, Singleton Laboratories was the central materials and engineering laboratory
for the Tennessee Valley Authority. The laboratory is located south of Knoxville, Tennessee.
In April 1996, S&ME acquired Singleton Labs and continues to provide multi-discipline
materials testing services to a growing number of clients in both public and private sectors. The
laboratory specializes in the areas of concrete and structures, soils, rock, geotextiles, corrosion
and metallurgy, protective coatings, analytical chemistry, component construction materials and
environmental qualification of parts and equipment. S&ME' s material engineering services also
include field inspection services for soil and concrete quality control testing, insitu concrete
structural evaluation, metals identification, and welded and bolted structural joints.
Tests are performed in accordance with accepted industry standards such as ASTM, AC!,
AASHTO, and EPA. All testing is performed by experienced, certified personnel using reliable
calibrated equipment as controlled by the requirements of the laboratory's Quality Assurance
Program. Our goal is to provide every client prompt and reasonably priced testing services with
accurate, high-quality reports.
To further our ability to meet the needs of a broad range of clients, we are licensed by the State
of Tennessee to receive, store, test, and ship radioactively contaminated samples; we are a
participant in the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory and the AASHTO Materials
Reference Laboratory certification programs under the auspices of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology; and our personnel are trained in OSHA requirements for handling
hazardous materials.
Since this document is intended to provide an overview of S&ME's broad-based laboratory
capabilities, please do not conclude that it is all encompassing. We would be pleased to discuss
any particular need for testing services that you may require. In addition, S&ME provides a
broad range of geotechnical engineering, environmental, industrial hygiene and health and safety
services. S&ME has branch offices located in 12 cities in the Southeast (see attached map) and
are able to serve you anywhere. The Knoxville branch is located at:
S&ME -Knoxville Branch
1413 Topside Road
Louisville, Tennessee 37777
( 423)970-0003
[phone]
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KEY PERSONNEL
J. FLOYD BEST, P.E.
CORPORA TE CONCRETE CONSULTANT
BS, Civil Engineering, Registered Professional Engineer, Certified ASME Level ill Inspection
Engineer, Registered Land Surveyor, Member of American Concrete Institute and American
Society for Testing and Materials. Authored numerous papers in the American Concrete Journal;
awarded 1980 Wason Research Medal for Most Meritorious Research Paper. Over 30 years
experience specializing in areas of concrete and structural testing, concrete mix design, and
nondestructive evaluation methods.
YUNG C. CHUNG, P.E.
LABORATORY DIRECTOR
MS, Civil Engineering, Registered Professional Engineer, Member of American Society of Civil
Engineers. Over 35 years of professional engineering experience in design, planning,
construction, materials testing, research, and development. He specializes in geotechnical
engineering including site feasibility studies, soil foundation and landfill investigation, QA/QC
in construction, dynamic testing, hydraulic conductivity, and utilization of solid wastes.
Authored numerous papers in the American Society of Civil Engineers Journal and EPRI
Reports.
JOHN B. PEARSON, E.I.T
STAFF PROFESSIONAL
BS, Civil Engineering, MS, Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Materials,
Engineering Intern, Member of the American Concrete Institute. Published in the ACI Materials
Journal. Several years experience in research and testing of construction materials. Performed
project management and field inspections for construction monitoring projects (i.e. commercial
and industrial facilities, public utilities, landfills, etc.).
R. L. TYLER
QUALITY ASSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE
Over 25 years experience with Singleton Labs, Inc. as a civil engineering laboratory technician.
His experience includes testing of construction-related materials for both the nuclear power and
construction industries, research and development of testing equipment and procedures and
maintenance of quality assurance records related to laboratory measuring and testing equipment
(M&TE). He is very knowledgeable of both field testing and static and dynamic testing of soils .
RICHARD L. RUTHERFORD
CHEMICAL LAB SUPERVISOR
Mr. Rutherford has a B.S. and an M.S. in Chemistry and several years experience in chemical
analysis and research. He is a member of the American Chemical Society. He is very
knowledgeable in wet bench methods as well as the following instruments : Atomic absorption,
spectrophotometry, ion chromatograph, LECO carbon/sulfur analyzer, and infrared
spectrophotometer.
PAUL V. GUTHRIE, JR ., Ph.D.
METALLURGICAL SPECIALIST
BS Engineering Physics, MS Metallurgy, PhD Metallurgical Engineering. Over 35 years
experience in materials testing and evaluation, research and development, contract management,
and engineering specification development. Specialties include metallurgical failure analysis,
structural evaluations, corrosion degradation mechanisms, and materials identification and
characterization.
DOUGLAS 0. HAYS
COATINGS SPECIALIST
Over 35 years nuclear and industrial experience in paint and chemical coatings. This has
included inspection and failure analysis of coatings applications, establishing engineering and
technical requirements for protective coatings, interpreting codes and standards related to
protective coatings, and providing training for both engineering and craft personnel. He is
certified as a nuclear coatings specialist.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM
The purpose of the Quality Assurance Program is to satisfy customer requirements and provide
a system of checks and balances within the organization. This program is simple, practical and
manageable.
S&ME consistently achieves a high level of excellence through the application of proven
technology and standardization techniques.
The laboratory's Quality Assurance Program is a management tool and a working philosophy
utilized in achieving excellence. The Quality Assurance Program establishes policies and
requirements, and assigns responsibilities for all quality related functions. The Quality Assurance
Program is designed to provide administrative measures for assuring and documenting quality
in both services and products.
The Quality Assurance Program implements the requirements as specified in the following
documents:
10CFR50/ Appendix B, "Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and
Fuel Reprocessing Plants"
ANSI/ASME NQA-1-1989, "Quality Assurance Program Requirements for Nuclear
Plants"
ANSI/ASQC Q91-1987, "Model for Quality Assurance in Design/Development,
Production, Installation, and Servicing (equivalent to ISO 9001-1987)"
10CFR21, "Reporting of Defects and Noncompliances"
All company personnel associated with the laboratory receive indoctrination training in the
Quality Assurance program.
----------------------S&ME Office Locations ♦S&ME
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Plastic and Plastic Products Testing
Resistance of Plastics to Chemical Reagents
Rate of Burning and/ or Extent and Time of Burning of Flexible Plastics in a
Vertical or Horizontal Position
Surface Irregularities of Flat Transparent Plastic Sheets
Determination of Weight and Shape Changes of Plastics Under Accelerated
Service Conditions
5. Relative Viscosity, Melting Point, and Moisture Content of Polyamides
6. Specific Gravity and Density by Displacement
7. Determination of Permanent Effects of Heat on Plastics
8. Exposure
9. Plasticizers Used in Plastics
a. Acid Number
b. Ester Content-titrimetric
c. Specific Gravity
d. Water Content
e. Infrared Analysis
10. Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
a. Acetone Extractable Matter
b. Ash
c. Bonding Strength
d. Burning Rate and Flame Resistance
e. Conditioning
f. Hardness
g. Thickness
h. Tensile Properties
i. Water Absorption
j. Warp or Twist
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Metals
1.
2.
3.
Metallurgical Analysis
Mechanical Testing and Machine Shop
a. Tensile tests to determine yield and ultimate strengths, percent elongation,
and reduction in area
b. Charpy V-notch impact testing to determine absorbed energy, lateral
expansion, and percent shear
c. Rockwell hardness tester and microhardness tester
d. Receipt inspections and certified material test reports (CMTRs)
e. Milling, cutting, grinding, and polishing samples and fixtures
Metallurgical Evaluations
a. Assessments of component failures
b. Failure analysis
Photography and dimensional characterization
Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Metallography
Specialized techniques for unique samples
c. Alloy identification using metals analyzer
d. Metallography for microstructure characterization
Weld procedure qualification testing and welder qualification testing
Corrosion
1. Assessments of Corrosion Damage
a. Erosion, pitting, raw water corrosion
b. Stress Corrosion Cracking
c. Fatigue
2. Corrosion Testing
a. Immersion and Autoclave Testing
b. Degree of Sensitization
c. Galvanic Compatibility
d. Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking
e. Raw Water Corrosion Testing
f. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion Testing
METALS CAP ABILITIES
S&ME COMBINED
1. Insure conformance with material specifications by conducting:
a. Chemical analysis -Breakdown by percent of each alloy in a specimen
b. Tensile tests-determines tensile strength, Yield, elongation and ductility.
c. Charpy V notch tests -Fracture brittleness
d. Micro-analysis -Failure analysis by examining grain structure under a
microscope.
e. Macro etching -examination of weld cross sections for fusion, etc.
2. Machine shop and sample preparation facilities
My experience and qualifications:
CWI
a. Certified welding examinations as required by referencing code
Reviewing, monitoring and testing from material receipt through completed
structure
b. Welder qualification testing
c. Welding procedure testing and assistance with the preparation.
d. Project (Steel) quality control review as owner representative.
e. Damage assessment, evaluation and assistance with repair procedures.
f Contractor auditing of metals facilities for conformance with specifications.
g. System walkdowns.
h. Lock-out-Tag-out auditing and evaluations including initial setup.
I. Safety inspector/auditing.
J. Material control procedures.
Nondestructive Testing (ASNT, SNT-TC-lA, Level II)
a. Radiography (X-Ray) -Machinery, Piping and Structural
NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ Knox. Location.
b. Ultrasonics -Thickness, Bonding, Weld examinations, Defect locations
c. Liquid Penetrant -Surface defect locations on non-porous specimens
Welds, Valve seats, Machinery parts etc.
d. Magnetic Particle -Linear type defect detection on Ferris metals
Wet and Dry methods.
Training
a. Certified Navy Instructor-Experience teaching: 40 Hr. OSHA HAZ WASTE
OPERATIONS, DOT (HAZ MATERIAL TRANSPORTATION), RADIATION
SAFETY, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY and any Nondestructive testing methods
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Protective Coatings Analysis
1. Consulting Services
a. Facility Surveys
b. Specification Development
c. Inspection Services
d. Procedures Development
e. Comparative Evaluations
f. Coating Maintenance Programs
g. Failure Analysis
h. Training and Certification
• Inspectors
• Applicators
2. Testing Services
a. Performance Properties
• Adhesion
• Flexibility
• Cure Time
• ·.Pot Life
• Hiding
• Wet Film Build
b. Material Conformance Verification
• Viscosity
• Weight per Gallon
• Non-Volatile
• Flash Point
• Gloss
• Solvent Analysis
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C. Resistance
• Weathering
• Abrasion
• Chemicals
• Heat
• Impact
• Immersion
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Chemical Analyses
Chemical analysis of materials
a. Metals (stainless/carbon steels, brass, etc.)
b. Cement, grout, flyash, and soils
c. Lubricants
Identification and analysis of elastomers & plastics (o-rings , gaskets, etc.)
a. Durometer hardness
b. Specific gravity
c. Heat deflection
d. Moisture Absorption
e. Infrared Analysis
Total and teachable halogen determination
a. Tape, marking pens, lubricants, other consumables
Trace metal analysis of low melting metals
a. Lead,. mercury, antimony, tin, etc.
Parr bomb evaluation of sulfur-bearing materials
6. Material verification and CMTRs
7. Extensive wet bench analysis methods
8. Extensive instrumentation analysis methods
a. Infrared Spectrophotometer
b. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
c. Ion Chromatograph
d. Carbon-Sulfur Analyzer
e. Cyclic UV Weathering Tester
f. Gas Chromatograph
g. Differential Scanning Calorimeter
h. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer
9. Heat of hydration of cement and concrete
1.
2.
3.
Coatings Analysis
Physical Properties Testing
a. Condition as Received per Federal Standard 141b 3011
b. Fineness of Dispersion per ASTM D 1210
c . Viscosity
Stormer per ASTM D 562
Brookfield per ASTM D 2196
Ford Viscosity Cup per ASTM D 1200
Bubble Time Tube per ASTM D 1545
d. Density per ASTM D 1475
e. Flash Point per ASTM D 93
f. Color per ASTM D 1729 or D 1544
g. Gloss per ASTM D 523
Performance Properties Testing
a. Dry (or Cure) Time per ASTM D 1640
b. Hiding per ASTM D 344
c. Sag Resistance (Wet Film Build) per ASTM D 4400
d. Adhesion
· Elcometer per ASTM D 2197
Wet Adhesion per ASTM D 4541
Freeze-Thaw Resistance per ASTM D 2243
Composition Properties Testing
a. Weight of Nonvolatile Matter
Varnish, Lacquer, etc, per ASTM D 1644
Volume of Nonvolatile Matter in Clear or Pigmented or Reactive
Coatings per ASTM D 2697
Distillation Range per ASTM D 1078
Sieve Analysis (As appropriate to material being tested)
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4. Physical Resistance Properties
a. Impact per ASTM D 2794
b. Abrasion
c. Gardner Falling Abrasive Test per ASTM D 968
d. Taber Abraser per ASTM D 4060 and Federal Standard 141b 6192
e. Heat Resistance per ASTM D 2485
f. Flexibility per ASTM D 522, D 17372
g. Washability per ASTM D 3450
5. Chemical Resistance Properties
a. Household Chemicals Effects including Solvents, Water, Acid, Alkali and
Salt per ASTM D 1308 or D 1647
b. Corrosive Environments Testing per ASTM D 1654
c. Chemical Resistance Testing for Nuclear Power Plants per ASTM D 3912
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2.
Rubber and Rubber Products Testing
Percentage of:
a. Acetone Extract
b. Waxy Hydrocarbon
C. Mineral Oil
d. Chlorofonn Extract
e. Free Sulfur
f. Combined Sulfur
g. Total Sulfur
h. Fillers, Inorganic
1. Carbon Black
j. Glue
k. Rubber Polymer
I. Rubber Polymer by Volume
m. Density
n. Silicon Dioxide and Insoluble Matter
0 . Silicon Dioxide
p. Metallic Oxides, Sulfates and Sulfides
Rubber From Natural Sources
a. Volatile Matter
b. Ash
c. Copper
d. Manganese
e. Iron
f. Acetone Extract
g. Rubber Hydrocarbon
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4.
5.
Rubber Products Testing
a. Chlorine, Fluorine, Bromine
b. Sulfur by Oxygen Flask Combustion
c. Effect of Liquids
d. Surface Cracking
e. Acid Resistance
f. Tensile
g. Hardness
h. Staining of Surfaces
1. Compatibility With Service Fluids
J. Deterioration By Heating In Air
k. Rubber Deterioration in Carbon -Arc Weathering Apparatus
Rubber Cement Testing
a. Adhesion
b. Softening Point
c. Cold Flow
d. Density
e. Plastic Deformation
Civil Materials Analysis
Concrete and Structural
1. Concrete mixture proportioning for strength compliance, including roller-
compacted, porous, lightweight, high-density and fly ash concrete.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
QA-QC testing of the following concrete and construction materials:
a. Cement
b. Fly Ash
c. Aggregates
d. Concrete Admixtures
e. Prepackaged Grouts
f. Asphalt
g. Vinyl and Rubber Waterstops
Nondestructive testing of in-situ concrete structures by the following methods:
a. Core Tests (including residual stresses by overcoring)
b. Rebound Hammer Tests
c. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Tests
d. Windsor Probe Penetration Tests
Inspection of concrete batch plants and proposed quarry sites.
Laboratory qualification tests and onsite proof load tests of concrete anchorage
systems.
Testing of structural components and systems, including pipe hangers, cable
trays, and conduit clamps.
7. Special materials evaluation, including the following topics:
a.
b.
C.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Fly Ash
Concrete Pumpability
Expansive Grouts
Pipe and Chimney Lining Materials
Special Concrete Admixtures, Including Superplasticizers, Accelerators,
Retarders, etc.
Durability Studies of Concrete and Protective Coatings
Tensile and Elasticity Properties of Electrical Cable and Insulation.
Preformed and Elastomeric Joint Materials.
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Soil and Rock
2 .
3.
4.
QA-QC testing and inspection of fills, backfills, subgrades, and embankments,
including .:he following:
a. Nuclear Density
b. Drive Cylinder Density
c. Sand Cone Density
d. Penetrometer
For the static design of soil or soil-supported structures, the following parameters
are determined:
a. Plasticity Characteristics
b. Particle-Size Analysis
c. Shear Strength in Unconfined Compression, Triaxial Compression, or
Direct Shear
d. Consolidation Characteristics
e. Permeability Characteristics ·
f. Compaction Properties
g. Erodibility Characteristics
h. Friction Between Two Different Types of Materials
For evaluation of soil performance under dynamic or earthquake conditions,
parameters are determined in:
a. Cyclic Triaxial Testing
b. Cyclic Simple Shear Testing
c. Resonant Column Testing
For design and evaluation of flexible and non-flexible pavements, the following
parameters are determined:
a. California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
b. Soil Moduli
c. Soil Stabilization
5. Physical properties of waste products such as fly ash, slag, scrubber sludge, and
AFBC waste are determined by applying the preceding test methods or by
developing and modifying existing procedures.
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Geosynthetics
1. QA-QC testing and inspection of geosynthetics including geotextiles, geogrids,
geonets, geomembranes, and geocomposites.
2. For determination of physical and mechanical properties, the following laboratory
tests are performed:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
l.
j.
k.
I.
m.
n.
Water Permeability
Hydraulic Burst Strength
Puncture Strength
Grab Tensile Strength and Elongation
Trapezoid Tear Strength
Abrasion Resistance
Soil Fabric Friction (Pull Out and Direct Shear)
Sewn-Seam Breaking Strength
Apparent Opening Size (AOS)
Percent Open Area (POA)
Stiffness
Specific Gravity
Unit Weight
Thickness
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I Lubricants
-1. Cone Penetration per ASTM D 217
2. Dropping Point per ASTM D 2265
I 3. Flash Point per ASTM D 3828
4. Viscosity (must specify)
a. Kinematic
b. Brookfield
C. Saybolt
5. Color/Clarity per ASTM D 1500, D 4176
6. Base Number (TBN) per ASTM D 974
7. Acid Number (TAN) per ASTM D 974
I 8. Infrared Analysis per ASTM E 334
9. Gravity (pycnometer) per ASTM D 369
I 10. Gravity (hydrometer) per ASTM D 287
-11. Additive Metals in Lube Oil (Ca, Mg, Zn)
I 12. Ash Content per ASTM D 482
13. Metals, Trace
I 14. Phosphorus per Spectrophotometric Method
~ 15. Pour Point per ASTM D 97
16. Water, Karl Fischer per ASTM D 1744
I 17. Cloud Point per ASTM D 2500
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Electrical Component Testing
Cable Insulation Resistance
Pickup/Dropout Voltage
Functional Testing
Hi-Pot, Megger Testing
Cable Activation Energies
Environmental Qualification