Instrumentation

United Consulting utilizes a variety of instruments to measure and monitor physical, environmental, chemical, and biological performance parameters related to soil, rock, groundwater, and vibration. We also monitor environmental conditions including air, water, dust, noise, asbestos, vapor, and more.

United Consulting offers automated instrumentation services during planning and construction supporting risk reduction in infrastructure and facilities projects such as dams, tunnels, below-ground parking, bridges, and pipelines. This approach utilizes risk quantification and identification techniques (e.g., risk registries and performance indicators); provides numerical modeling of events, and enables real-time monitoring of structures and surrounding areas. United Consulting couples our in-depth knowledge of soil, rock, and water interaction, and understanding of structural performance to generate a comprehensive analysis of underground conditions and potential hazards, supporting both effective project and program management, and risk reduction.

Instrumentation monitoring of underground construction benefits project owners through near real-time receipt of critical information pertaining to unexpected movements, conditions, or other sudden changes. Subsurface conditions can be variable and change both during and after construction. Automated instrumentation alerts the owner and project managers of small changes before they become large and potentially damaging to construction workers or the construction project itself.

We offer advanced analysis and detailed design solutions for the underground portions of any type of project. We provide engineering advice to improve geo-structural designs. We evaluate conditions to determine the cause of unexpected performance, and we are adept in the design of remedial measures.

Soil

Review and/or Preparation of Specifications – Soil testing requirements can be prepared for your project specifications. The review will ensure that all testing is in accordance with the latest acceptable standards and that the frequencies are in line with acceptable construction practices.

Complete Laboratory Testing – We offer a full range of geotechnical and materials testing from our Norcross laboratory, including but not limited to triaxial shear testing, consolidation testing, permeability testing, soil index testing, and moisture/density testing.

In-place Density Testing – We also offer field monitoring and testing of soil fill materials using the Sand Cone and Drive Cylinder methods.  The field density values are compared to the laboratory values for the soil, with our A/E partner or client receiving real-time information regarding status of the fill material compaction.

Foundation Monitoring and Testing – Using ASTM methods, our engineering staff will determine the suitability of the excavated foundation to meet a project’s load bearing requirements.

Proof Roll Monitoring – Our staff engineers are trained and experienced in the subjective use of the Proof Roll method to determine road and parking lot subgrade and compacted base suitability for pavement placement.  By using this investigative technique, potential failures in the subgrade can be identified and repaired prior to asphalt placement.

Failure Investigations

Testing During Placement

Concrete

United Consulting offers comprehensive concrete testing services for roadways, bridges, buildings, subgrades, structural fills, dams and more. We not only conduct standard tests required by specification, but also perform specific tests on construction materials as dictated by client need. Our expertise can provide important information and insights helping engineers achieve sound construction outcomes.

Testing is offered both on-site and at our laboratory. Our staff includes registered engineers; GDOT Certified Roadway Testing Technicians (RTT) and Certified Field Concrete Technicians (FCT); Quality Control Technicians; ICC, IBC and NPDES Inspectors; NICET certified personnel, dozens of whom are ACI certified professionals. Our services include but are not limited to:

Review and/or Preparation of Specifications – Concrete testing reports are prepared or reviewed for your project specifications based on its requirements.  Our review ensures that all concrete testing is in accordance with current acceptable standards and that the test frequencies are in line with acceptable construction practices.

Batch Plant Inspection – A review of the operations of a Ready Mix Concrete Batch Plant by our experienced staff ensures that the mix design required for your project is being produced.

Mix Design and Mix Design Verifications – We will verify the concrete mix design for your projects. We can also provide a complete concrete mix design tailored to specific project needs.

Complete Mortar and Masonry Testing – We offer field and laboratory testing services for all types of mortar and masonry materials.  In the field, we can monitor flow and mold compressive strength cubes, or build compressive strength prisms.  In the laboratory, we can determine the compressive strengths of the mixes.

Testing During Placement – Testing concrete as it is delivered to your project site is the first step to ensuring that the materials you are using will meet your project requirements. We routinely perform tests such as slump, temperature, unit weight, entrained air content, and molding of compressive or flexural strength specimens. With more than 20 American Concrete Institute (ACI) Grade 1 Field Testing Technicians on staff, United Consulting is always prepared to test your projects’ ready mixed concrete, avoiding project delays.

Testing of Hardened Concrete – Three testing methods of hardened concrete include Swiss Hammer and Windsor Probe (non-destructive tests), and physical removal of core samples from the body of concrete (destructive tests).  The Swiss Hammer or impact hammer method provides the client with an approximate strength of the concrete within 250 psi.  The Windsor Probe is slightly more accurate,  determining the compressive strength of existing concrete within approximately 100 psi.  The ultimate test to determine the compressive strength of hardened concrete is to physically remove core samples and have them tested in our laboratory for compressive strength.

Post Tensioning – Post-tensioning of slabs is monitored by our qualified staff mobilized at your site. Our engineer(s) will observe all post-tensioning operations and provide a detailed report outlining the cables pulled, the percent elongation, and the pass/fail criteria.

Floor-Flatness and Levelness Determination – Floor flatness and levelness is determined by using two Dip Stick devices.  Many manufacturing and retail facilities require this testing to ensure that the concrete floor slabs are within their project tolerances.  The testing is performed as soon as the ready mixed concrete is capable of supporting the weight of the engineer.  Should out-of-tolerance areas be identified, the concrete contractor can then re-finish the areas before the concrete is hardened.

We are also knowledgeable in evaluating the strength of In-situ concrete and have completed numerous failure investigations. Please contact us if you have questions on these areas, or on any of the above.

Failure Investigations

Asphalt

United Consulting provides asphalt testing services on-site and from our 10,000 square foot AASHTO certified laboratory, supported by GDOT certified staff who service public and private clients across Georgia and the southeastern United States.

Our staff includes registered engineers; GDOT Certified Roadway Testing Technicians (RTT) and Certified Field Concrete Technicians (FCT); Quality Control Technicians; ICC, IBC, and NPDES Inspectors; NICET certified personnel, dozens of whom are ACI certified professionals. Our services include but are not limited to:

Review and/or Preparation of Specifications – Reports are prepared or reviewed to your project specifications based on its requirements.  Our review ensures that all testing is in accordance with current acceptable standards and that the frequencies are in line with acceptable construction practices.

Batch Plant Inspection – We review your Asphalt Batch Plant to ensure that the mix design required for the project is being produced. If required we will obtain all samples necessary to verify the mix design and other criteria.  These samples are then returned to the laboratory for detailed testing.

Mix Design and Mix Design Verifications – Our materials testing laboratory can verify the asphalt mix design for your projects. If needed, we can provide a complete asphalt mix design tailored to your specific project needs.

Failure Investigation – In the event of a pavement failure on your project, we can perform in-situ testing of the asphalt and the underlying base materials to assess the reason for the failure.  This testing includes coring the asphalt and performing laboratory testing on the samples obtained, as well as augering through the underlying base and sub-base materials to determine the suitability of these materials for road base construction.

Steel

United Consulting offers magnetic particle (MT), radiographic (RT), and ultrasonic (UT) non-destructive (NDT) examinations of structural steel to identify weld defects. We maintain certified in-house expertise for most types of projects that require adherence to government, industry, and military standards. Please contact us for additional information.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES)

Since 2000, United Consulting has performed NPDES consulting, construction site inspection and monitoring services staying abreast of all NPDES permitting requirements. We take an active role with associations and groups that help guide development, including the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), ACEC Georgia, and locally through the metropolitan Atlanta Council for Quality Growth which promotes balanced and responsible development.

Our NPDES certified professionals have years of experience solving NPDES construction issues, supporting our clients to become compliant with local ordinances, Georgia laws and NPDES General Construction Permits. Our certifications include Level IB Certified Inspectors; Level II Certified Plan Reviewer; Level II Certified Design Professional; Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), and Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ).

SERVICES

Our services involve Plan Reviews including review of Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control Plan (ES&PCP), specifications, and Best Management Practices (BMP) for the project per the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission plan checklist; site inspections including weekly, monthly, and post-storm event inspections; documentation of inspections (with recommendations); stormwater sampling collections after qualifying rainfall events per general construction permit requirements; stormwater testing, including turbidity testing of samples per general construction permit requirements; providing documentation of results to be submitted to Georgia EPD; permit preparation; and preparation assistance of NPDES General Construction Permit Forms (Notice of Intent, Notice of Termination).