General information

           The said division is into existence since April 1959. This division deals with the problems faced by the Maharashtra Government in the construction work. Hence research work is carried out by the said division to find the solutions on the problems faced by the people working on the construction site. The laboratory tests are carried out in this division for new technology-based construction instruments as well as techniques and research work are being    carried out so as to make the site work easier.

ACTIVITIES

1. Material: The construction materials such as cement, sand, bricks, tiles, fly ash, concrete pipes etc. that are used on the construction site by the government as well as private sector are tested by using IS (Indian standards) to decide the quality of the material used. To carry out these testing to the accuracies the instruments such as CTM (Capacity 25 to 2000 Ton), permeability instrument, accelerated water curing tank, double drum cologrout mixer etc. are available in this division.
2. 2000 Ton CTM:  Computer operated compressive strength measuring instrument of 2000 Ton capacity is used by these division. It is one of its own kind in the entire south India. The core of 90 cm dia. X 90 cm height that are excavated from the dam site are tested for compressive strength, split tensile strength, Modulus of Elasticity, permeability and density in these division.
3. Concrete Mix Design: For any construction work, the quality of concrete and its mixture such as cement, concrete, sand, aggregate, water etc. plays an important role. Hence to decide the ratio of such materials the testing work is carried out in this division for accurate work to be carried on construction site.
4. Calibration: Calibration of 125 compressive strength measuring instruments of 9 divisions under 3 circles are done by this division. The 25-, 50-, 100- and 200-Ton capacity master proving rings are available with the division for calibration purpose. These rings are calibrated after every two years in National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi. Other than compressive strength measuring instruments, pressure gauges, dial gauges, weights as well as blains air permeability apparatus are calibrated by this division.
5. Chemical Lab:  The chemical tests of leached material, seepage water, cement, fly ash bleaching powder, alum, sand and gravel are done in the chemical laboratory of this division.
6. Rate List: Total of 158 types of testing work are carried out by this division. The Rate list of said tests is sanctioned by Scientific Research Officer and is countersigned by Superintending Engineer, MERI, Nashik.
7. Technical Memorandum: Technical memorandums are prepared by this division on the research work based on the material testing as well as construction work by this division. Total 296 Technical memorandums are prepared from 1960 to till date.
8. On the basis of testing work carried out by this division, workshop on quality control of materials as well as training on the same is arranged for Newly recruited candidate from MPSC, candidate from refresher courses arranged by META, Nashik and students from various colleges.

Testing work

Annual Research Program 2024

TARGET ACHIEVE D IN LAST FIVE YEARS (TESTING & REVENUE)

SPECIAL WORK

1. The fly ash unit of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the government of India has completed the necessary tests to study RCC concrete using fly ash from five different thermal power plants in India.
2. A final report based on this has been sent to DST, New Delhi.
3. The Dom Shroud (part of a Missile launching machine) of the DRDO      organization under the jurisdiction of Department of Defense, Govt. of India was tested in this department. Also, test have been carried out on the 2000 tone machine on samples from the private   sector Tata company as well as Gujarat and Karnataka.
4. Testing Of 27 T 15 Load Transfer Test Block and Compression Test on   Hydraulic Jack for Calibration Purpose in Presence of officers of IIT Madras.
5. Agency Name: Ultracon Structural Systems pvt. Ltd. Chennai

Test Performed:

1. Compression Test on 60x60x140 cm two Concrete Block of   M-50 Grade of Concrete on 2000 Ton CTM.
2. Compression Test on 1200 Tone (2Nos) hydraulic Jack for Calibration Purposes on 2000 Ton CTM.
3. 27T15 Load Transfer test /Hydraulic Jack was Conducted in Presence of Officers/Technical Persons From IIT, Madras.

Testing Of Fiber Reinforced Plate (FRP).

The agency provided plates of 5-ton, 6 Ton etc. capacity. As per the directives given by higher officials the two types of loads were applied. Uniformly distributed load and Point load at the center of the plate. The agencies are as follows

1. Surya Mult project, Solapur.
2. Multimedia Enterprise, Nashik.
3. Sigma Creations, Chembur, Mumbai.
4. Eco Frames, Nagpur.

B.I.S. Committee

 Scientific Research officer, Material Testing Referral Lab is the Member of following committees of B.I.S., New Delhi.

6. Handbooks   prepared under   MERI circle, Nashik Institute

1. PWD Handbook Chapter No.40 Ready Mix Concrete.
2. PWD Handbook Chapter No.41 Placement of Concrete
3. WRD Handbook No. 01 Ferro cement Construction.
4. WRD Handbook Chapter 02 Cologrout Masonry Work.
5. WRD Handbook No. 03 Self Compacting Concrete