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/N
Description
1
Soil

Area

Test Frequency

Qty. of test

Under Footing
Under Wall Footing
Under Slab on Grade

Every 200 square meter

Every 30 linear meter
Every 1000 square meter

1.B CBR
1.C Proctor test
Atterberg Limit:
Liquid Limit
1.D
Plasticity Index
Plastic Limit

Below pavement
Soil Stockpile

Every 5000 cubic meter

Every new material

One sample
One sample

Soil Stockpile

Every new material

One sample

1.E Sieve Analysis

Soil Stockpile

Every new material

One sample

1.A Compaction test

One
One
One

Here are the frequency of tests for steel reinforcement or rebar.

S/N
Description
Area
1
Steel reinforcement
1.A Chemical Test
Concrete elements
1.B Mechanical Test
Concrete elements

Here are the frequency of tests for concrete.

Test Frequency
Every 100 ton
Every 100 ton

Qty. of test
2 sample for each bar size
2 sample for each bar size

S/N Description
1 Concrete

Area
Footing, Raft Foundation,
Pile Foundation

1.A

Compression
Test

Slab, Grade beam

Column

Durability:
RCP
1.B Absorption Test Foundation
Permeability
Test
2 Concrete Masonry Unit - CMU
Compression External Walls and Internal
2.A
test
partitions
Dimension
External Walls and Internal
2.B
check
partitions

Test Frequency

Qty. of Test

every 100 cubic meter of

6 cubes (1 set)
concrete
every 50 cubic meter of
6 cubes (1 set)
concrete
every 30 cubic meter of
6 cubes (1 set)
concrete
3 cubes for RCP
3 cubes for
Bi-monthly or every 700
Absorption
cubic meter
3 cubes for
Permeability
Every new supplier

3 samples of CMU

Every new supplier

3 samples of CMU

Here are the frequency of tests for Aggregate in a concrete batching plant.
S/N
1

Description

Test Frequency

Qty. of
test

Aggregate
Each two weeks or per 100 cubic meter
whichever is more frequent
Each two weeks or per 100 cubic meter
Material Fines
whichever is more frequent
Each two weeks or per 100 cubic meter
Clay lumps and Friable Particles
whichever is more frequent
Each month or 200 cubic meter whichever is
Organic Impurities
more frequent
Each month or 200 cubic meter whichever is
Water absorption
more frequent
Each month or 200 cubic meter whichever is
Specific gravity
more frequent
Shell content
Each 2 months or per 100 cubic meter
Moisture variation in sand by
Daily
moisture meter

1.A Grading

One

1.B

One

1.C
1.D
1.E
1.F
1.G
1.H

One
One
One
One
One
Two

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.