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Gilson Insights

Have questions about your materials testing equipment?  We have the answers to these questions and much more right here! Check back monthly for long-form blog posts, how-to guides and infographics. We’ll address industry insights, the operation and maintenance of specific equipment, and our product line recommendations, all designed to better serve you.

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Soil Sampling & Visual Classification, Methods & Procedures

Performing geotechnical and engineering tests on soils in the field is a combination of necessity and practicality. In this two-part series, this first post looks at methods, procedures, and equipment needed for field sampling and visual classification of soils.

Rheology and Viscosity Tests for Asphalt Binder: Methods and Equipment

Asphalt binder is a fundamental and surprisingly complex component in the design of modern asphalt pavement mixes. Of the many properties of bitumen that affect its performance in a modern asphalt paving mixture, two are crucial to the long-term success of pavements, viscosity, and rheology. This blog post will explore binder viscosity tests and rheology tests, their applications, benefits, and testing equipment.

The Automation Revolution: Concrete Compression Machines

Automatic concrete compression machines are here to stay and they promise to revolutionize concrete testing. Programmable loading and load rates, break detection, and data handling ensure full compliance to selectable test specifications, more accurate results, and all but eliminate human error. Less operator input means more tests completed in less time.

Soil Sample Preparation: Saving Money in Your Geotechnical Lab

With a little thought and planning, you can avoid duplicating the equipment needed to perform many sample preparation tasks. Many ASTM and AASHTO soil tests performed follow similar techniques and use the same or similar equipment to set up samples for your soil testing.

Measuring Asphalt Permeability, The Methods and Equipment Needed

Measuring the permeability of asphalt mixes is a powerful tool to predict and improve the service life of flexible pavements. In this blog post, we will discuss methods and the testing equipment needed for two basic asphalt permeability tests to mitigate pavement problems over the long term.

Sulfate Soundness Test: Estimating Aggregate Durability

Sulfate Soundness of Aggregate, procedures for this popular test method are straightforward. In this blog post, we will discuss why the soundness of aggregate is necessary, what the procedures are when using either magnesium or sodium sulfate, and what equipment is needed to perform the test.

Concrete Resistivity: A Guide for Nondestructive Testing

This blog post provides insight into test methods and testing equipment for use in concrete resistivity testing. We discuss the use of the Proceq Resipod Concrete Resistivity Meter for surface resistivity and how to perform bulk resistivity.

Gilson Testing Screen Trays: Easy Maintenance for Optimum Accuracy & Maximum Life

Screen Trays are the heart of all Gilson Testing Screen Shakers. In this blog post, we discuss how to get the most accurate results and extended life from your testing screen trays.

Concrete Moisture Testing: What Equipment Works for Your Application?

The amount, type, location, and movement of moisture in a concrete slab need to be clearly understood to avoid problems when placing a flooring system over it. In this blog, we take a look at the various methods and equipment to use for testing concrete for moisture.

Triaxial Shear Testing of Soils, Understanding Methods and Equipment

This month's blog discusses the triaxial shear test of soil. It focuses on three different test methods, all with variable requirements based on soil types and properties of individual specimens.