GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM
ROADS AND BRIDGES DEPARTMENT
GANGTOK
 
  Memo No; 35/R&B,                                                                                                              Dated: 2nd Sept,2006.
   
 

CIRCULAR
  The department has established a Material Testing Laboratory in the Mechanical Workshop Complex, Tadong, East Sikkim. The laboratory contains following machinery & equipments for the purpose of material testing:-
   
1) California Bearing Ratio Test Apparatus:
This is meant for testing of the soil and determining the bearing capacity of the soils in the laboratory.
2) Field Type California bearing Apparatus:
This is used for determining the soil bearing capacity in the field at work site.
3) Aggregate Impact Tester:
This machine is to find out the resistance of a coarse aggregate. The Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) helps to categorize the aggregate for the project demand.
4) Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine:
This machine is to find out the resistance of gravel to the abrasions. This test helps us to categorize the quality of gravel for the roads and etc.
5) Laboratory Cement Autoclave:
This machine is to find out the soundness of cement.
6) Digital Compression Testing Machine:
This machine is for the cube test, up to the dimension of 150 mm. The machine can also be used to find the compressive strength of brick. The machine can only cater the compressed test.
7) Ductility Testing Machine:
The ductility of any type of bitumen can be found out from this machine. The ductility is measured in cm.
8) Ring & Ball Apparatus (Electrically operated):
The softening point of any type of bitumen can be found out from this apparatus
9) Length Comparator:
The measurement of increase and shrink of a soil or Cement can be measured by the Comparator.
10) Flash Point Apparatus:
It is used to find out the flash point of lubricants. The same can be used to find the flash point of bitumen.
11) Standard Universal Penetrometer:
The apparatus helps to find out the penetration test on cement, bitumen and soil.
12) Aggregate Crushing Value Apparatus:
The aggregate crushing value can be found out from the apparatus of the aggregate.
13) Le Chatelier Mould:
This equipment is used to find the soundness of cement.
  It is disappointing that the laboratory has not been utilized to its capacity since the field sub divisions & divisions have not shown much interest to give the material tested in this newly established laboratory. We are all aware that the laboratory has been set up to facilitate the testing of construction materials and to avoid the expenditure and time consumed in takingthe samples outside the State for testing.
  Since we now have the required laboratory where most of the basic tests can be done, all the field Officers are directed hereby to get the samples tested in this laboratory. They should report and co-ordinate with the Divisional Engineer (Store0 in the Head Office for facilitating the tests of the samples.
   
  This is issued for compliance of all concerned officers.
   
 

( R.K. Gurung)
Chief Engineer (Mech/Store),
Roads & Bridges Department.
   
   
   
 

Update on:  

July 23, 2008 11:43 AM