Skip to main content
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.

Ask A Question

All responses are for general informational purposes only and are based on our experts’ knowledge and experience in the specific areas, both geographic and technical, in which we work. They are not intended to provide design recommendations and should not be relied on for design, investment, or other decisions. Always consult with your design expert for project specific recommendations.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Ask an Expert

Ask An Expert

Our team of experts is available to answer your questions.

Twining’s team of experts is unparalleled in their knowledge and experience in the fields of concrete, welding, asphalt concrete, materials testing and inspection, and geotechnical engineering. Our experts are frequently called upon to provide support on issues such as thermal monitoring of massive concrete placements, inadequacies of concrete mix designs, unique field and laboratory testing requirements for concrete and structural steel elements, performance and interpretation of non-destructive testing of welds (including phased array evaluations), and value engineering of foundation and pavement designs that are suspected to be overdesigned.

We invite you to challenge our team of registered geotechnical and civil engineers, PhDs, ASNT Level III professionals, and specialty testing experts with your specific questions on your current or future projects. We are confident that our team, with a combined 255 years serving as experts in their respective fields, will provide helpful answers to your technical questions.

Does Twining have the capability to test and quantify a product’s ability to reduce or eliminate ‘thermal bridging’ through a structural steel member and if so is there also a code for this performance which can be listed with the ICC-ES?
Asked by:
Tommy Sharp

We would like to discuss this in more detail with you in order to provide a helpful response.

Please contact Esmeralda Martinez at 562.272.7231 ext 144 or emartinez@radcoinc.com.

My project has a structural steel component to it. Am I required to have shop inspection?
Asked by:

As with almost all questions related to materials testing and inspection, the answer to this question will depend on the authority having jurisdiction over the project. Per 1704.2.5 of the 2013 California Building Code (CBC) special inspection of structural load-bearing members and assemblies at the fabricator is required. However, per the exception in 1704.2.5.1 if the fabricator is approved by the building official this requirement is waived. Each jurisdiction has their own procedure/policy for approval of fabricators so you should verify with the jurisdiction and with your contractor if the fabricators that will be utilized for your project are approved. In addition, should complete joint penetration welds be performed at the fabricator these will still need to be independently ultrasonically tested as the exception is only for inspection and does not also apply to any testing required. Please also note that this exception is not present in Chapter 17A which governs DSA and OSHPD projects.

Is there a cheaper alternative to stabilize soft soils than using geosynthetics and layers of gravel?
Asked by:

Gravel and geosynthetic products are very expensive and large amounts are often needed to stabilize particularly soft soil. Additionally, overexcavation and export of these soft and usually wet soil needs to be performed and this material generally needs to be disposed as it is not usually fill material. In many cases, cement-treating the soft soils is a more practical and economic approach to stabilization.  If the area is relatively large, cement-treatment of the upper approximately 10 to 15 inches of soil will likely be less costly than overexcavating and placing geosynthetic products and layers of gravel. This approach has been adopted frequently for troublesome roadway subgrades.  In addition to stabilizing the roadway subgrade, the cement treatment also provides structural support characteristics that can be calculated and accommodated in the design. There a few specialty contractors that perform cement treatment and they are usually willing to provide free estimates so that you can judge whether your site is appropriate for this approach.

Is Cold in place recycling suitable for a neighborhood?
Asked by:
Adam

Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) can be simply applied to neighborhoods as long as the CIR train can move around and can exit the project location. In this manner, the only locations that have proved difficult for CIR trains are cul-de-sacs and driveways. Also, CIR train cannot cover the top of the “T” intersections on the roadways, unless small cold planer are be utilized

I have a recycled base that passed LA Abrasion test (easily) but fails on Sulfate (significantly) any ideas?
Asked by:
Curt Ingraham

To best answer this question, we would need to know the intended application of the base material. Assuming that it will be used for a base course material below a Portland cement concrete pavement (hence the concern for sulfate), table 19.3.1.1 of  ACI 318 prescribes the necessary water-cement ratio and compressive strength to mitigate the potential for damage of the concrete due to the presence of sulfates.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you further and provide you with a more tailored answer to your specific situation. I have provided my contact information below, and look forward to hearing from you.

Paul Soltis
Vice President, Geotechnical Engineering
PSoltis@twininginc.com
562.426.3355 (office)

I am consulting engineer in the amusement industry. I may have a need to have some mountaineering dynamic rope tested. There are a series of tests defined in the standard BS EN892:2012. However, my question right now is; if you were to do just a pull test on the rope for breaking strength, how much rope would be necessary? Thanks, Ed Pribonic
Asked by:
Ed Pribonic

Hi Eric,

We would suggest you carry out the tests in accordance with BS EN Standard 5.6 on three unused test samples with a minimum length of 5 m for single and half ropes, and 10 m for twin ropes, cut out of the available test sample.

Thanks for using Ask an Expert!

What are some ways to improve an asphalt mixture’s moisture damage resistance (higher tensile strength ratio per Lottman test) after it is already treated (1% lime DWA) while keeping aggregate source the same?
Asked by:
Ed

Unfortunately, there aren’t many other options to improve the moisture susceptibility other than lime treatment. However, if the dry strength of the samples is good, increasing the asphalt film thickness and using coarser aggregate gradation will reduce the damage during the moisture treatment and will relatively improve the moisture damage resistance.

Please feel free to contact us, to discuss this matter further.

Hi, are you providing training for personnel in highway and geotechnical engineering? If yes, please message me back through sunday.onadiran@gmail.com. thanks
Asked by:
Mr. Sunday Onadiran

Hello Mr. Onadiran, Twining does provide some training in these fields. Typically, we provide this as a service to clients and agencies for a specific topic or project. Please email marketing@twininginc.com, so we can understand what you are specifically looking to accomplish with your training and we can more directly address your needs.

What are the steps to be able to join your crew into becoming an inspector myself?
Asked by:
Michael

Hi Michael,

Assuming you are already an inspector, the first order of business would be to verify your certifications currently held to determine if we have a need for someone with your qualifications.  Secondly, membership in IUOE Local 12 is mandatory, so we would need to know if you are currently in Local 12, or would be willing to join Local 12. Assuming you are a member or are willing to join, we would then speak with our Dispatch who would provide you with contact information for Local 12 so that you can get on the out of work list which would allow us the opportunity to request an inspector with the qualifications that we need.

Hope this helps, and thank you for asking!

Hi, does your lab run oil extractions using a solvent? And what type?
Asked by:
Mario

Yes, if you are referring to asphalt binder chemical extraction, we use Trichloroethylene. Twining is capable of running chemical asphalt binder extractions following ASTIM D 2172, Method A and B.