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Our team of experts are available to answer your questions.

Twining’s team of experts are 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, PhD’s, 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 useful answers to your technical questions.


   
Twining Consulting

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.

Twining Consulting

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!

Twining Consulting

Hi, does your lab run oil extractions using a solvent? And what type?

Asked by: Mario

Hi 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.

Twining Consulting

Is there a Standard (Test Method) for using a thermal imaging camera to confirm grout and resteel installation in a CMU wall?

Asked by: Michael

We are not aware of any Standard test method utilizing thermal imaging cameras to confirm grout and reinforcing steel installation in a CMU wall.  However, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), is a non-destructive method that can be used to verify that cells are grouted and also to verify placement of reinforcing steel.

Twining Consulting

Sir, I am having BE,Diploma,Post Diploma in Mechanical engg. I have 9years of experience in material testing lab at INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. So will I be elligible for your company? Thank you.

Asked by: Rabindra Nath Biswal (INDIA)

Hi Rabindra,

Please submit your resume on our website and someone will be in contact with you.

Twining Consulting

Caltrans will begin implementing a range for dry tensile strength for the Lottman Test (AASHTO T283) to 100-300 psi instead of just specifying a minimum dry strength of 100 psi.

Aside from the aggregate source and binder viscosity, what are some ways to reduce the dry tensile strength of a particular HMA mix? For instance, if we have an approved design already but the dry IDT is over 300 psi, what are some ways to adjust the design to reduce the dry strength but still use the same rock source and PG grade for the binder?

Asked by: Ed

Hi Ed,

To better respond to to your question, I would need more information, and to review the Mix Design and Aggregate properties.  This could be a very a project specific answer. By reviewing these, I may be able to come up with a more complete answer. However, here is a list of parameters that can affect the Dry Strength of your mix:

  • Aggregate Gradation: mixes with finer aggregates (higher passing sieve #4) show lower strength
  • Asphalt Binder Content: higher asphalt content lowers the strength
  • Coarse Aggregate Crushed Particles: more crushed surface aggregates will increase the strength
  • Fine Aggregate Crushed Particles: more crushed surface aggregates will increase the strength
  • Use of Natural Sand: usually use of natural sand will reduce the dry strength.

Please note that many other parameters are involved in determining the properties of each mix, and above mentioned factors may not necessarily change the mix properties as expected. Some try and error would be required to come of with the correct resolution. Please feel free to contact me to discuss this matter further.

Best,
Amir Ghavibazoon, PhD
Pavement Engineer
aghavibazoo@twininginc.com 

Twining Consulting

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.

Twining Consulting

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

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.

Twining Consulting

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

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.

Twining Consulting

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