Civil Engineering Test Equipment
Laboratory and field test equipment for cement, mortar, asphalt, steel, piles and drilling fluids, supplied from Cape Town to laboratories, contractors and universities across South Africa and neighbouring countries.
What is civil engineering test equipment?
Civil engineering test equipment is the laboratory and field apparatus used to measure whether construction materials and structural elements meet their specification. It covers instruments that prepare samples to a standard method (mixers, moulds, curing and conditioning cabinets), instruments that measure a property (setting time, fineness, viscosity, density) and machines that load a specimen until it yields or fails (universal and compression testing machines). Results from this equipment decide whether a batch of cement, a load of asphalt, a delivery of reinforcing steel or a cast pile is accepted.
Sample preparation
Mortar, paste and asphalt mixers make test batches in the same way every time, so results reflect the material and not the mixing.
Property measurement
Vicat, Blaine, viscometer and slurry kits measure one property against a standard method: setting time, fineness, viscosity or density.
Strength and integrity
Universal testing machines load specimens to failure; pile integrity testers check a cast pile for defects without damaging it.
Need something not shown here? This page shows a selection. The Test Equipment for Civil Engineering PDF lists the full range. Some items, such as the dynamic cone penetrometers and riffle splitters Ecotao stocks, are made in South Africa. For weighing, Ecotao supplies A&D Weighing balances and Adam Equipment scales and balances.
Test equipment we supply
Each instrument below is described with the test it is used for, the standard the supplier lists for it, and its key specifications. Ask Ecotao for lead times, accessories and spare parts.
Cement and mortar testing
Vicat Apparatus CVA-0V
Standard: EN 196-3 (SANS 50196-3 in South Africa)
The Vicat apparatus measures two things every cement laboratory needs: the water content that gives cement paste its standard consistency, and the initial and final setting times of that paste. A 300 g moving rod carries either a plunger or a needle, and an indicator on a graduated scale shows how far it sinks into paste held in the Vicat mould.
Setting time tells you how long concrete or mortar stays workable and when it starts to stiffen. A cement that sets too quickly or too slowly will cause problems on site, so this test is routine for cement acceptance and for checking the effect of admixtures and retarders.
Complete system includes
- Vicat frameMetal frame, sliding rod, scale and indicator
- Moving mass300 g
- Consistency plungerØ10 mm
- Initial setting needleØ1.13 mm
- Final setting needleØ1.13 mm
- AccessoriesStandard Vicat mould, glass base plate
Needles and plungers are interchangeable and individually replaceable, so worn parts can be renewed without replacing the frame.
JJ-5 Laboratory Mortar Mixer (5 L)
Supplier-listed standards: EN 196-1, ASTM C305, AASHTO T 162, ISO 679
The JJ-5 is a planetary mixer that prepares standard cement mortar (cement, standard sand and water) for compressive and flexural strength prisms. The paddle turns on its own axis while orbiting the bowl, so every part of the batch is mixed at the fixed low and high speeds that the strength test methods specify.
Uses in the laboratory:
- Cement strength testing: mixing mortar for 40 × 40 × 160 mm prisms.
- Lime-pozzolan reactivity: preparing mixes to assess fly ash, slag and other pozzolans.
- Soil stabilisation: blending soil evenly with cement, lime or other stabilisers before compaction.
- Bowl capacity5 L
- Paddle (spindle) speeds140 and 285 r.p.m.
- Planetary speeds62 and 125 r.p.m.
- Power supply220 V / 380 V
- Dimensions480 × 260 × 740 mm
- Weight45 kg
NJ-160A Cement Paste Mixer
Paired with the Vicat apparatus for consistency and setting time tests
The NJ-160A mixes neat cement paste (cement and water, no sand) to a repeatable consistency, which is the first step of the Vicat setting time and soundness tests. A microprocessor runs the mixing sequence, so every batch gets the same speeds and times regardless of operator.
Two operating modes
- Automatic: pre-programmed and customisable mixing sequences with controlled speed changes.
- Manual: two speeds selected with a rocker switch, changing smoothly without stopping the motor.
- Bowl capacity5 L
- Mixing blade width135 mm
- Blade speed, low140 ± 5 r.p.m. rotation, 62 ± 5 r.p.m. revolution
- Blade speed, high285 ± 10 r.p.m. rotation, 125 ± 10 r.p.m. revolution
- Power supply220 V / 380 V
- Weight70 kg
Blaine Air Permeability Apparatus DBT-127
Supplier-listed standard: UNE 80-122. The Blaine method is also described in EN 196-6 and ASTM C204; ask Ecotao to confirm compliance with your specification.
The Blaine apparatus measures the specific surface area of Portland cement, lime and similar powders, usually reported in cm²/g. A compacted bed of powder sits in a stainless steel cell, the aspirator draws air through it, and the operator times how long the liquid in the U-tube manometer takes to fall between two marks. Finer powders resist the airflow more, so the time is longer.
Fineness controls how quickly cement hydrates and gains early strength, so the Blaine value is a routine quality control check in cement plants, blending facilities and research laboratories.
- Cell internal diameter12.7 ± 0.05 mm
- Sample bed height15 ± 0.5 mm
- Perforated disc35 holes, 1 ± 0.1 mm thick
- Supplied withStainless steel cell and plunger, U-tube glass manometer on steel stand, rubber aspirator, filter papers
- Power supply220 V
Asphalt testing
Asphalt Mixer BH-20 (20 L)
Supplier-listed standards: ASTM D1559, EN 12697-35, BS 598-107
The BH-20 mixes hot aggregate and bitumen into a uniform asphalt batch in the laboratory. Hand mixing leaves uncoated stone and uneven binder content, which shows up as scatter in test results. A heated, thermostatically controlled bowl holds the mix at the specified mixing temperature while the planetary blade coats every particle, and the stainless steel bowl tilts for clean emptying.
The 20 L bowl lets one batch supply several specimens from the same mix, for:
- Marshall stability and flow briquettes for mix design and production control.
- Compaction and volumetric tests (bulk density, air voids).
- Indirect tensile (splitting) tests for strength and moisture sensitivity.
- Any test that needs a homogeneous hot-mix sample.
- Mixing volume20 L
- Bath temperatureRoom temperature to 250 °C, ±0.5 °C
- Mixing time1 to 999 s, adjustable
- Blade speed48 r/min revolution, 76 r/min rotation
- Power3 kW, 220 V
- Dimensions1220 × 620 × 1320 mm
ASTM D1559 and BS 598-107 are older Marshall methods: ASTM D6926/D6927 and EN 12697-34 now cover the same tests, and South African laboratories work to the SANS 3001 asphalt methods. The BH-20 is used to prepare the mixed sample before compaction under any of these methods.
Strength testing of steel and other materials
WE Series Hydraulic Universal Testing Machine (100 to 1000 kN)
A universal testing machine (UTM) applies a controlled, measured force to a specimen and records how it deforms until it yields or breaks. The WE series uses a hydraulic cylinder under the load frame, which gives high force from a compact machine, with a digital console that displays force and deformation in real time.
Tests it performs
- Tensile tests on reinforcing bar, steel plate, wire and bolts: yield strength, tensile strength and elongation.
- Compression tests on metals, blocks and other rigid specimens.
- Bending and transverse tests, including rebar bend tests (up to 300 mm span).
- Shear tests and Brinell hardness tests.
- With optional fixtures: flat belts, chain links and wire rope.
Control and data
- Aviation-grade aluminium display panel with real-time force and deformation readout.
- Automatic load-curve plotting, test data recording and printing.
- PC interface and data management software for analysis and test reports.
Model comparison
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| Specification | WE-100B | WE-300B | WE-600B | WE-1000B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum load | 100 kN | 300 kN | 600 kN | 1000 kN |
| Force sensor | Load cell | Load cell | Pressure sensor | Pressure sensor |
| Round specimen diameter | 6 to 22 mm | 10 to 32 mm | 13 to 40 mm | 14 to 45 mm |
| Flat specimen thickness | 0 to 15 mm | 0 to 20 mm | 0 to 20 mm | 0 to 40 mm |
| Compression space | 500 mm | 600 mm | 600 mm | 600 mm |
| Tensile space | 200 mm | 200 mm | 200 mm | 200 mm |
| Compression plates | Ø110 mm | Ø150 mm | Ø200 mm | Ø225 mm |
| Maximum bending span | 300 mm | 300 mm | 300 mm | 300 mm |
| Load frame (mm) | 800 × 620 × 1850 | 800 × 620 × 1870 | 800 × 620 × 1900 | 900 × 700 × 2250 |
| Control console (mm) | 550 × 500 × 1200 | 550 × 500 × 1200 | 550 × 500 × 1200 | 550 × 500 × 1200 |
| Power | 380 V, 1.1 kW | 380 V, 1.8 kW | 380 V, 2.2 kW | 380 V, 2.2 kW |
All models: underneath oil cylinder, six-column double-screw frame with protective cover and coil-spring buffer, 320 mm/min maximum crosshead adjustment speed, 50 Hz (220 V and 60 Hz versions optional).
Foundation and site testing
GTJ-P800 Pile Integrity Tester (PIT)
Method: low-strain sonic echo (pulse echo) integrity testing
The GTJ-P800 checks cast-in-place and precast concrete piles for hidden defects without excavating them. An accelerometer is held on the trimmed pile head and the head is struck with a small hand hammer. The stress wave travels down the shaft and reflects back from the toe and from any change in cross-section. The instrument records and amplifies the signal so the engineer can identify:
- Pile length, from the time of the toe reflection.
- Necking, bulging and changes in cross-section.
- Cracks, voids, soil inclusions and poor-quality concrete.
Each test takes minutes, so contractors and engineers can test every pile on a site and send only suspect piles for coring or load testing. Low-strain testing confirms integrity; it does not measure bearing capacity, which needs a static or high-strain dynamic load test.
- A/D resolution16-bit
- Dynamic range> 138 dB
- System noise< 2 mV
- Amplifier band10 Hz to 10 kHz
- Sample interval2 to 32,768 µs
- Sampling length1024, 2048 or 4096 points
- Gain1 to 128 ×
- Time error< 1%
- Channels1, signal triggered
- Accelerometer100 mV/g, 1 to 10,000 Hz
- Display640 × 480 capacitive touch screen
- PowerRechargeable lithium battery (7.4 V), > 10 h continuous work
Cement Slurry & Drilling Mud Testing Kit (3-piece)
A portable kit for checking the three properties that decide whether a bentonite support fluid, drilling mud or cement slurry is fit to use, on site and without a laboratory:
- Viscosity, measured as Marsh funnel time: the seconds a set volume takes to drain into the measuring cup.
- Density and specific gravity, which control the fluid's support pressure in an open excavation.
- Sand content, which rises as fluid is reused and must be kept low before concrete is placed.
Typical users are piling and diaphragm-wall contractors checking bentonite before and during excavation and before concreting, borehole drillers monitoring drilling mud, and grouting crews checking cement slurry consistency.
- Marsh funnelStainless steel, 1 pc
- Measuring cup2 L, 1 pc
- Pouring cup1 L, 1 pc
- FormatPortable field kit
Viscosity and general laboratory equipment
Digital Display Viscometer NDJ-C
The NDJ-C is a rotational viscometer: a rotor turns at a set speed in the sample and the instrument measures the resisting torque, which it converts to dynamic viscosity on a digital display. Its small-sample rotors need only 20 ml of liquid, which suits expensive or limited samples.
In construction materials and chemical laboratories it is used to check the viscosity of:
- Bitumen emulsions and primers at room temperature.
- Concrete admixtures, curing compounds and sealers.
- Paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants.
- Polymer solutions and other liquids for incoming quality control.
- Measuring range100 to 200,000 mPa·s
- Sample volume20 ml
- Accuracy±1% (Newtonian liquids)
- RotorsNo. 21, 27, 28 and 29
- Speeds0.5, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 rpm
- Operating conditions5 to 35 °C, ≤ 80% RH
- PowerAC 220 V, 50 Hz
The NDJ-C measures at room temperature. Hot bitumen binders need a heated (Thermosel-type) viscometer; ask Ecotao.
Lab Thermostat Incubator (OBRK series)
A benchtop thermostatic incubator holds samples, specimens and reagents at a set temperature between 5 °C and 60 °C for a timed period. A digital controller with 0.1 °C setting keeps conditions stable, and the built-in timer runs from 1 minute up to 999 hours for long conditioning or incubation periods.
Typical uses in a materials or site laboratory:
- Holding small specimens, reagents and samples at a constant test temperature.
- Water quality work such as BOD and microbiological incubation.
- Stability and ageing checks on admixtures, emulsions and chemicals.
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| Specification | OBRK-25BS | OBRK-36BS | OBRK-50BS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamber volume | 15.6 L | 36 L | 136 L |
| Chamber size | 250 × 250 × 250 mm | 300 × 350 × 350 mm | 450 × 550 × 550 mm |
| External size | 340 × 370 × 560 mm | 400 × 470 × 660 mm | 550 × 670 × 970 mm |
| Power | 0.2 kW | 0.4 kW | 0.5 kW |
| Temperature range | 5 to 60 °C | 5 to 60 °C | 5 to 60 °C |
| Temperature setting | 0.1 °C | 0.1 °C | 0.1 °C |
| Timer | 1 to 999 min / 1 to 999 h | 1 to 999 min / 1 to 999 h | 1 to 999 min / 1 to 999 h |
| Shelves | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Supply | 220 V, 50 Hz | 220 V, 50 Hz | 220 V, 50 Hz |
For larger chambers, see Ecotao's digital incubators from 40 L to 400 L in the Ecotao store.
Which equipment do you need for each test?
Use this table to match a test in your project specification to the equipment that performs it.
← Scroll to see full table →
| Test | What it tells you | Equipment | Method reference | Where it is done |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard consistency | Water needed for a paste of standard stiffness | NJ-160A paste mixer + Vicat CVA-0V (plunger) | EN 196-3 / SANS 50196-3 | Laboratory |
| Setting time | When cement starts and finishes stiffening | NJ-160A paste mixer + Vicat CVA-0V (needles) | EN 196-3 / SANS 50196-3 | Laboratory |
| Cement strength | Compressive and flexural strength of standard mortar | JJ-5 mortar mixer, then a compression and flexural tester | EN 196-1 / SANS 50196-1 | Laboratory |
| Fineness (Blaine) | Specific surface area of cement or lime | Blaine apparatus DBT-127 | EN 196-6, ASTM C204, UNE 80-122 | Laboratory |
| Marshall stability and flow | Asphalt mix strength and deformation | BH-20 asphalt mixer, then Marshall compactor and tester | SANS 3001 asphalt methods, ASTM D6926/D6927 | Laboratory |
| Rebar tensile and bend | Yield and tensile strength, elongation, ductility | WE series UTM | SANS 920 (product specification) | Laboratory |
| Pile integrity | Pile length and shaft defects | GTJ-P800 PIT | Low-strain method, e.g. ASTM D5882 | On site |
| Support fluid checks | Viscosity, density and sand content of bentonite or mud | 3-piece slurry kit | Project specification | On site |
| Liquid viscosity | Dynamic viscosity of emulsions, admixtures, coatings | NDJ-C viscometer | Product specification | Laboratory |
How to choose civil engineering test equipment
Start from the tests your project or laboratory accreditation scope requires, then check each instrument against the points below.
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1. Match the method, not just the test name
"Setting time" or "Marshall" can mean different procedures under SANS, EN, ASTM or AASHTO. Check that the equipment's dimensions, masses and speeds match the method named in your specification, and keep the supplier's standard listing on file.
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2. Size a testing machine from your largest specimen
Required force = cross-sectional area × expected strength. A 20 mm bar (314 mm²) at about 600 MPa needs about 190 kN, so a 300 kN machine suits it. A 32 mm bar (804 mm²) needs about 480 kN, so choose 600 kN. Keep your highest test load below about 80% of capacity, and check the grip range covers your bar sizes.
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3. Check your power supply
The WE series runs on 380 V three-phase as standard (220 V optional), and the mortar and paste mixers are offered in 220 V or 380 V versions. Confirm what your laboratory or site container has before ordering.
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4. Use mortar and paste mixers for their own tests
Use a mortar mixer (JJ-5) for strength prisms and a paste mixer (NJ-160A) for Vicat consistency and setting time. Laboratories testing cement regularly usually keep both.
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5. Choose field or laboratory format
Pile integrity testers and slurry kits are built for site use: battery powered, portable and quick. Laboratory instruments such as the Blaine apparatus and viscometer need a stable bench, controlled temperature and mains power.
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6. Plan for calibration and spares
Load cells, needles, plungers, rotors and manometer fluid all need periodic checking or replacement. Ask Ecotao which spares to order with the instrument so testing is not held up later.
Test equipment for South African laboratories and sites
South African materials testing follows local standards that are closely aligned with European and international methods:
- SANS 3001 is the series of civil engineering test methods for road and construction materials, including soils, aggregates and asphalt. It replaced the older TMH1 methods.
- SANS 50196 is the South African adoption of EN 196 for cement testing. For example, SANS 50196-3 covers setting time and soundness, so EN 196-3 equipment such as the Vicat CVA-0V suits local testing.
- SANS 920 specifies steel bars for concrete reinforcement, the main product tested on a universal testing machine in South African laboratories.
Always check the edition your project specification calls for. Some contracts, especially mining and cross-border projects, still reference ASTM, AASHTO or BS methods.
Supplied across Southern Africa. Ecotao supplies test equipment from its Cape Town base to commercial laboratories, contractors, consulting engineers, universities and municipalities throughout South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Test equipment: frequently asked questions
What test equipment does a civil engineering materials laboratory need?
It depends on the materials you test. A cement and concrete laboratory typically needs a mortar mixer, a cement paste mixer, a Vicat apparatus, a Blaine air permeability apparatus, a compression or universal testing machine and accurate balances. An asphalt laboratory adds a heated asphalt mixer and Marshall equipment. A soils laboratory needs sieves, CBR and compaction equipment and drying ovens. Foundation and piling contractors need a pile integrity tester and a slurry testing kit for support fluids.
What is the difference between a mortar mixer and a cement paste mixer?
A mortar mixer such as the JJ-5 mixes cement, standard sand and water to make the mortar used for compressive and flexural strength prisms under EN 196-1. A cement paste mixer such as the NJ-160A mixes cement and water only, to prepare neat paste of standard consistency for Vicat setting time and soundness tests. Both use a planetary blade in a 5 L bowl, but each is set up for its own procedure.
How do you test cement setting time with a Vicat apparatus?
First find the water content for standard consistency, when the 10 mm plunger stops 6 ± 2 mm above the base plate. Then fill the Vicat mould with paste at that consistency and lower the 1.13 mm needle at intervals. Initial setting time is when the needle stops 6 ± 3 mm above the base plate. Final setting time is when the needle with its ring attachment penetrates only 0.5 mm into the paste. EN 196-3 (SANS 50196-3 in South Africa) gives the full procedure.
What does the Blaine test measure?
The Blaine test measures the specific surface area of cement or a similar powder, expressed in cm²/g. Air is drawn through a compacted bed of the powder and the time it takes is compared with a reference material. Finer cement has a larger surface area, reacts faster and gains early strength sooner, so Blaine fineness is a routine quality control check in cement plants and laboratories.
Can a low-strain pile integrity test measure bearing capacity?
No. A low-strain pile integrity tester checks the shaft for defects such as necking, bulging, cracks, voids and unexpected length. It does not measure load-carrying capacity. Bearing capacity needs a static load test or a high-strain dynamic load test. Low-strain testing is used because it is fast and cheap enough to test every pile on a site.
How do I choose the capacity of a universal testing machine?
Multiply the cross-sectional area of your largest specimen by its expected tensile strength, then pick a machine whose capacity is comfortably above that, ideally so your highest test load sits below about 80% of capacity. For example, a 20 mm reinforcing bar (314 mm²) at about 600 MPa needs roughly 190 kN, so a 300 kN machine suits it, while a 32 mm bar needs roughly 480 kN and a 600 kN machine. Also check the grip range for your bar diameters.
What is a Marsh funnel used for?
A Marsh funnel gives a quick field measure of the viscosity of drilling mud, bentonite support fluid or cement slurry. The funnel is filled and the time, in seconds, for a set volume to drain into the measuring cup is recorded. A longer time means a thicker fluid. Together with density and sand content, it is a routine check on bentonite used for bored piles and diaphragm walls.
Which South African standards apply to civil engineering materials testing?
Road and construction materials are tested under the SANS 3001 series of civil engineering test methods, which replaced the older TMH1 methods. Cement is tested under the SANS 50196 series, the South African adoption of EN 196, for example SANS 50196-3 for setting time and soundness. Reinforcing steel is specified under SANS 920. Always check which edition your project specification calls for.
Does Ecotao deliver test equipment outside South Africa?
Yes. Ecotao supplies test equipment from Cape Town across South Africa and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini. Contact sales@ecotao.co.za or +27 21 911 5835 for a quotation and delivery lead time.
Where can I see the full list of civil engineering test equipment Ecotao supplies?
The equipment on this page is a selection. Download the Test Equipment for Civil Engineering PDF for the full list, or ask Ecotao for any instrument not shown, including South African-made dynamic cone penetrometers and riffle splitters, and A&D and Adam Equipment balances.
Equipping a laboratory or site team?
Send us your test list or project specification and we will quote the equipment, accessories and spares to match.
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