Construction Materials and Structures Laboratory (CoMSLab)

The UP Institute of Civil Engineering Construction Materials and Structures Laboratory (CoMSLab) is a two-story advanced research laboratory for construction engineering and structural engineering research. The laboratory gives access to undergraduate and graduate students and researchers conducting experiments and analyses using state-of-the-art instruments and equipment. The laboratory also offers testing and analysis of materials and assemblies as part of its extension services.

Check the UP ICE Citizen’s Charter for the requirements and fees for equipment rental and materials testing. Click here.

For inquiries, send an email to comslab.upd@up.edu.ph.

Common Standard Tests Performed for Commercial Clients

Concrete / Mortar Products

  1. ASTM C39/C39M: Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
  2. ASTM C42/C42M: Standard Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
  3. ASTM C882/C882M: Standard Test Method for Bond Strength of Epoxy-Resin Systems Used With Concrete By Slant Shear
  4. ASTM C109/C109M: Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50 mm] Cube Specimens)
  5. ASTM C293 / C293M: Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam With Center-Point Loading)
  6. ASTM C78 / C78M: Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading)

Rubber Products

  1. ASTM D412: Standard Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers – Tension
  2. ASTM D624: Standard Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
  3. ASTM D429: Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property – Adhesion to Rigid Substrates
  4. ASTM D4014 / AASHTO M251: Standard Specification for Plain and Steel-Laminated Elastomeric Bearings for Bridges
  5. ASTM D545 / AASHTO M153: Standard Test Methods for Preformed Expansion Joint Fillers for Concrete Construction (Nonextruding and Resilient Types)
  6. ASTM D2240: Standard Test Method for Rubber Property – Durometer Hardness

Steel / Metal Products

  1. PNS 49 / ASTM E8/E8M: Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
  2. ASTM A370: Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
  3. ASTM A416/A416M: Standard Specification for Low-Relaxation, Seven-Wire Steel Strand for Prestressed Concrete

Plastic / PVC Products

  1. ASTM D3034: Standard Specification for Type PSM Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Sewer Pipe and Fittings
  2. ASTM D2412-11: Standard Test Method for Determination of External Loading Characteristics of Plastic Pipe by Parallel-Plate Loading
  3. ASTM D638: Standard Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Plastics
  4. ASTM D790 – 15: Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials

Other Products / Test Standards
– subject to staff assessment; may be modified with non-standard conditions depending on setup limitations; usual limiting factors: no extensometer, need for specialized load attachment or grips, no temperature control, no fatigue loading, material not behaving as expected, test duration might be too long, etc.

1. Proof Load Test of Manhole Covers
2. Proof Load Test of Anchor Grips
3. Pullout Test
4. Any tests that can be performed within setup limitations should be requested by the clients and recommended by the lab

Riehle 200,000-lbf Analog UTM (multi-range)
Riehle 300,000-lbf Compression Machine (multi-range)
Instron 5982 Floor Type Digital UTM (Capacity: 100 kN or 22480 lbf)
Instron 3366 Tabletop UTM (Capacity: 10 kN or 2250 lbf)
Concrete Molds for Compressive and Flexural Tests
Concrete Permeability Apparatus