Construction material testing
At INFINITIA, we offer a comprehensive construction material testing service, which is key to ensuring the safety, quality, and durability of the products used in building and infrastructure projects.
Our industrial laboratory is equipped with advanced technology and specialized personnel capable of evaluating the behavior of materials such as cement, aggregates, concrete, metals, wood, insulation, and glass, both from a regulatory perspective and adapted to real-world conditions.
These tests allow us to validate compliance with technical specifications, optimize designs, and select the most suitable materials for each application. At INFINITIA, we approach this service with a rigorous scientific approach, tailored to the specific challenges of each sector and client.
What do construction material tests consist of?
Construction material tests consist of a set of physical-mechanical, chemical, and thermal tests whose objective is to characterize and validate the properties of materials used in the construction sector. At our INFINITIA laboratory, we carry out tests for tensile strength, compression, torsion, impact (Charpy), fire resistance, watertightness, thermal conductivity, adsorption, compaction (Proctor), among many others.
We also apply analytical techniques such as spectroscopy and chromatography to determine the chemical composition of cements, gypsum, and additives. This information is essential for preventing premature failures, adjusting formulations, and ensuring compliance with standards such as UNE, EN, and ISO. In addition, our services enable the early detection of pathologies through our failure analysis and forensic engineering service, as well as the improvement of construction processes.
Key benefits of construction material testing
One of the greatest benefits of the tests we carry out at INFINITIA is the ability to anticipate the behavior of materials under extreme or prolonged conditions of use. This is particularly useful for structural products, insulation, or facade components, where mechanical strength, waterproofing, or thermal durability are critical.
For example, through accelerated aging or thermal shock testing, we can validate new suppliers or detect weaknesses in formulations.
In forensic engineering contexts, the results of our tests allow us to determine the causes of construction failures or evaluate the quality of materials in litigation. This enables our clients to make decisions based on objective data, with technical and regulatory support.
Construction material testing at INFINITIA
At INFINITIA, we approach construction material testing from a multidisciplinary perspective, combining capabilities in advanced characterization, materials engineering, and applied research.
We have customizable test benches and the capacity to develop specific set-ups tailored to the particular requirements of the client or project.
In addition, our technical team works closely with quality, R&D, and production departments to provide solutions that go beyond a simple lab report.
From standard testing to custom developments, at INFINITIA we help companies in the construction industry to innovate with confidence, optimize costs, and comply with the most demanding regulations.
Types of Construction Material Testing
At INFINITIA, we develop a wide range of physical-chemical, mechanical, thermal, and structural tests to evaluate the performance of materials used in the construction sector. Our goal is to validate their suitability, anticipate possible failures, and optimize their application in real service conditions.
The main types of tests we perform in our laboratory are described below.
Cement, Lime, and Gypsum Testing
We analyze the chemical composition using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or FTIR spectroscopy to ensure the quality of raw materials. We perform compressive strength and flexural strength tests, as well as setting, shrinkage, and dimensional stability tests.
For example, at INFINITIA we have developed customized tests on modified cements to assess their compatibility with additives, anticipating future problems.
Concrete, Additive, and Addition Testing
We evaluate the strength of concrete with standardized compression, tensile, and water absorption tests. We also study the behavior of additives through thermal and spectroscopic analysis.
In one case, we carried out a test on reinforced structural concrete samples, simulating service loads to validate their design.
We determine properties such as grain size, density, wear, and hardness, which are essential to ensure the proper performance of mixtures.
We have worked with companies conducting comparative studies of wear on natural stone versus reconstituted materials, guiding the selection of the optimal aggregate.
Steel and Metal Profile Testing
We perform MUE (tensile, torsion, fatigue) tests, impact tests (Charpy), and corrosion resistance tests using salt spray or climate cycles.
At INFINITIA, we analyze structural profiles for facades subjected to extreme conditions, evaluating their durability and mechanical performance under thermal cycles.
Wood Testing
We perform tensile, compression, bending, and toughness tests, as well as moisture, density, and impact resistance analyses. We also develop aging and flammability tests.
For example, we collaborate with a manufacturer by performing customized tests to validate a new joint system.
Glass and Partition Testing
We test flexural strength, tensile strength, and impact resistance. We also perform watertightness and thermal control tests.
One notable project involved analyzing partitions by combining impact (Charpy) and chemical resistance to various cleaning products.
Plate and Panel Testing
We validate mechanical resistance, fire behavior, and dust and water tightness (IP tests). In industrial projects, we develop specific assemblies to simulate dynamic loads.
For example, we designed a test setup to simulate the mechanical stress that panels will undergo in real conditions, validating their structural fastening.
Thermal Insulation Testing
We characterize thermal conductivity, dimensional stability, and chemical composition. We also perform accelerated aging and compatibility with other materials.
A recent case included the comparative analysis of several polyurethane foams to validate their thermal performance and stability under wet-dry cycles.
Applications of Construction Material Testing
At INFINITIA, we apply these tests in multiple sectors of the construction industry, collaborating with manufacturers, engineering firms, developers, and quality laboratories. The main areas of application are described below:
Residential and Tertiary Construction
In residential buildings, offices, and public spaces, construction materials must meet requirements for energy efficiency, mechanical resistance, and safety against fire or moisture.
At INFINITIA, we test products such as ventilated facades, insulation, interior cladding, and roofing, validating their performance over time.
- Validation of facade materials, panels, and enclosures against aging, moisture, and wind load.
- Waterproofing tests on flat and sloping roofs, evaluating resistance to leaks and watertightness in accordance with UNE-EN standards.
- Fire performance assessment of compartmentalization, insulation, and load-bearing materials.
Civil infrastructure and public works
Civil engineering works, such as roads, bridges, and rail networks, require materials with high resistance to cyclic loads, atmospheric agents, and thermal cycles.
At INFINITIA, we perform mechanical and thermal tests to evaluate their structural durability under intensive service conditions.
- In the case of structures, we develop dynamic fatigue tests on various components and anchoring systems to ensure their performance under repetitive loads.
- We also carry out adhesion and durability tests on surface protection systems, such as paints or anti-corrosive coatings, exposed to high humidity and atmospheric pollutants.
- We evaluate the performance of joints and sealants through tightness and elasticity tests.
Restoration and structural pathology
The conservation of built heritage and the repair of deteriorated structures require a thorough understanding of the condition of the material and its potential degradation.
At INFINITIA, we offer a forensic approach, relying on destructive and non-destructive testing to identify causes of failure, contaminants, and loss of performance.
- Forensic analysis of materials damaged by carbonation, chlorides, oxidation, or alkali-silica reactions.
- Adhesion, traction, and mechanical resistance tests on structures to be reinforced with carbon fiber or shotcrete.
- Validation of the compatibility of new materials with the original ones in restoration or rehabilitation processes.
Industrial and logistics sector
In production and logistics environments, materials must withstand impacts, dynamic loads, constant humidity, and continuous wear.
At INFINITIA, we design customized tests to evaluate their behavior and validate their mechanical, chemical, and thermal resistance under demanding operating conditions.
- Impact, vibration, and fatigue tests on industrial flooring, modular panels, and enclosures.
- Evaluation of dust and water resistance through IP tests in technical facilities or warehouses.
- Verification of dimensional stability and thermal resistance of composite materials used in chambers or high-temperature areas.
Urban planning and outdoor furniture
Urban equipment and construction solutions in outdoor spaces must withstand adverse weather conditions, vandalism, and intensive use.
At INFINITIA, we carry out mechanical, corrosion, and UV aging tests to guarantee the durability and safety of these elements over time.
- Evaluation of resistance to UV aging, rain, and thermal changes in materials.
- Abrasion, traction, and flexion tests on urban components and heavy-duty furniture.
- Accelerated corrosion tests on exposed metal structures, comparing different coatings and surface treatments.
The value of counting on INFINITIA for construction material testing
In a context where the quality, durability, and safety of materials are key factors for the success of any construction project, having a specialized laboratory such as INFINITIA is a significant competitive advantage. Construction material testing not only validates regulatory compliance, but also provides critical information to prevent structural failures, optimize designs, and select the most appropriate solutions from a technical and economic standpoint.
From the physical and chemical characterization of cements and aggregates to dynamic testing on structural steel, at INFINITIA we approach each case with a technical and personalized approach, adapted to the type of material, its function in the construction system, and the actual service conditions. Our ability to perform standard and customized tests, as well as to develop specific assemblies, allows us to support companies in the building, civil engineering, and industrial manufacturing sectors throughout the entire material validation cycle.
In addition, as specialists in forensic engineering, we provide a rigorous approach aimed at identifying causes of failure, validating new solutions, and anticipating long-term behavior. This combination of in-depth analysis, technical expertise, and practical approach positions INFINITIA as the ideal partner for meeting today’s challenges in the construction industry.
With new demands for sustainability, technical regulations, and efficiency, construction materials are constantly evolving. INFINITIA is at the forefront of these transformations, integrating new analysis techniques, advanced characterization technologies, and expert knowledge of material behavior. Choosing INFINITIA is not only a guarantee of quality, but also an investment in innovation, reliability, and continuous improvement.
