Home Services
Foundation & Subsurface Engineering Drilling, Sampling & Field Investigation On-Site QA/QC Inspection Laboratory Services
About Contact
Inquiries
Services / Laboratory Testing Services

Laboratory Testing Services

AASHTO-accredited laboratory testing for soils, aggregates, hot-mix asphalt (HMA), and concrete under ASTM, AASHTO, and IDOT standards.

Accreditation & Standards

Accredited Materials & Soils Testing Laboratory

MSET operates an AASHTO-accredited testing laboratory in South Elgin, Illinois. Testing protocols strictly follow ASTM, AASHTO, and IDOT test methods for soils, aggregate, hot mix asphalt (HMA), and concrete materials.

Testing services support MSET field investigations as well as independent subcontract testing for engineering consultants, general contractors, and material suppliers. All testing is conducted by certified technicians (NICET, ACI, IDOT QC/QA) under PE oversight.

Reports include certified test data, ASTM/AASHTO method citations, grain size distribution curves, proctor compaction curves, and compressive strength logs.

MSET South Elgin testing facility Concrete cylinder compressive strength testing
Subcontract Lab Services

Engineering consultants, material suppliers, and contractors submit samples directly to the South Elgin facility. Sample intake protocols include chain-of-custody tracking, method-referenced reporting, and digital deliverable distribution.

2005 Year established
IL · WI · IN Service locations
Testing Areas

Four Accredited Testing Programs

Soils

Geotechnical & Soils Testing

Atterberg limits, grain size analysis (wash sieve and hydrometer), moisture content, proctor compaction (Standard and Modified), consolidation, unconfined compression, CBR/IBR, and hydraulic conductivity. Supports geotechnical reports and embankment design.

Aggregate

Aggregate Testing

Gradation (sieve analysis), unit weight, specific gravity and absorption, LA abrasion, flat and elongated particles, freeze-thaw soundness, and sand equivalent. Supports base course, subbase, and structural fill specification compliance.

HMA

Hot Mix Asphalt Testing

Extraction and recovered gradation, ignition oven, Gmm (Big "D"), Gmb (Little "d"), Marshall stability and flow and asphalt binder content. IDOT and Tollway mix design and acceptance testing.

Concrete

Concrete Testing

Compressive strength of cylinders and cores, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength (modulus of rupture), unit weight, chloride ion penetration, and air void analysis. Full curing and break services available for field-cast samples.

Full Test Method Tables, Including ASTM/AASHTO Codes & Accreditation Status

Our Laboratory page lists every test method we perform, the applicable standard, and whether it falls under our AASHTO accreditation scope. View turnaround details and subcontract sample submission information there.

View Laboratory Page
Lab Deliverables

What You Receive

Every test report we issue is signed, method-referenced, and reviewed before delivery. Our documentation supports PE-sealed reports, IDOT submittals, and IBC special inspection records.

Laboratory reports with technician signature
ASTM/AASHTO method reference on every report
Concrete cylinder break reports with cure age and strength
Gradation charts and tabular summary reports
Proctor curves and CBR/IBR plots (where applicable)
HMA extraction and gradation with binder content
Chain of custody documentation for submitted samples
Electronic delivery of results
Who Submits Samples

Who We Work With

Our lab accepts samples from our own field programs and from outside clients needing accredited testing without field crew involvement.

Geotechnical engineers submitting subcontract samples
General contractors with concrete or asphalt testing needs
IDOT and public agency project testing
Environmental consultants
Other testing labs needing accredited subcontractor
Developers and owners requiring independent verification
Structural engineers and EOR needing cylinder break services
Mix design support and product qualification testing

Ready to Submit Samples?

Contact us for current turnaround times, fee schedule, and sample submission instructions. We accept samples from outside clients, no field program required.

Contact the Lab Full Test Method Tables →

Other Services

Foundation & Subsurface Engineering

PE-sealed geotechnical reports, foundation design parameters, and IDOT geotech deliverables.

Drilling, Sampling & Field Investigation

Truck- and track-mounted boring programs, Geoprobe sampling, and pavement coring.

On-Site QA/QC Inspection

Earthwork monitoring, concrete and asphalt testing, and construction inspection under PE direction.