Material Testing That Measures Up
The strongest builds start with strong materials, but this strength needs to be tested and proven first. Our material testing services help verify performance and quality so you can make better decisions at every stage.
Why We’re Trusted to Test
Material testing is the foundation we built Metro on. With CCIL-accredited laboratories, recognized testing standards, and support from full-service labs across BC and Alberta, we deliver data you can build on with confidence. By combining field experience with lab-level precision and engineering insights, we verify material performance and support consistent quality for stronger project outcomes. Plus, with our mobile labs, we can actively support long-term projects with efficient on-site testing whenever and wherever it’s needed.
Full-Scope Support
From field observations and on-site reporting to advanced lab analysis and engineering reviews, we help you ensure that your materials meet required specs and will perform as intended under expected conditions. No matter what your project calls for, we’ve got the people and proficiency to do it right. Our full range of material testing solutions includes:
Field Testing
Field testing brings lab-based quality control directly to your job site. Our technicians perform real-time sampling, observation, and testing to verify materials and ensure they’re up to spec. This helps identify potential issues early, reducing rework while maintaining consistent quality.
On-site Reporting
Timely reporting keeps everyone informed and confident in their decisions. We provide clear, accurate on-site reporting and documentation that keeps things moving. With immediate visibility into performance and compliance, you can address issues quickly before they become a significant problem.
Dispatch Services
Coordinated dispatch ensures the right people and equipment are right where they need to be. Our dispatch teams support scheduling and communication between field and lab. That means fewer delays, faster mobilization, better coverage, and more consistent support across your project.
On-call Technicians
Most projects don’t follow your typical 9 to 5. That’s why our on-call technicians are available to support pours, placements, and time-sensitive work wherever and whenever it happens. With responsive support, your critical tasks can keep moving forward instead of becoming roadblocks.
Full-service Laboratories
We have 11 full-service labs to provide controlled, standards-driven testing for concrete, asphalt, soils, and aggregates. With advanced technology and experienced, certified technicians, we deliver accurate results across projects. Many locations also offer faster turnaround for local projects.
Comprehensive Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Program
Safety is actively built into everything we do. Our HSE program ensures testing and field operations are carried out responsibly, protecting workers and the environments they’re operating in. This reduces risk and supports consistent compliance so you can keep your project on track and safe at every stage.
Strength Testing
Strength testing ensures your materials are up to their intended task. Whether it’s compressive strength in concrete or load-bearing capacity in structural components, these tests confirm materials meet their required specs. It’s a vital step that supports long-term performance and safety.
Physical and Mechanical Properties
Physical and mechanical testing checks how materials respond to force, stress, and relevant environmental conditions. By measuring traits like density and elasticity, we can determine whether materials are suitable for their intended use or if you need to choose something different.
Strain Capabilities
Strain testing measures how materials shift or deform under load, helping assess flexibility and performance in tough conditions. Understanding strain behaviour is essential for predicting how structures will respond over time. This helps engineers design systems and structures that stay safe for years.
Workability
Sometimes, knowing whether a material works for your project depends on how easy it is to work with. Workability testing assesses how easily materials can be mixed, placed, shaped, and finished. Proper workability ensures materials can be installed correctly without impacting strength or durability over time.
Non-destructive Testing
Non-destructive testing evaluates material performance without damaging it. This is performed through techniques like ultrasonic, radiographic, or visual inspections, which allow us to identify defects or inconsistencies while keeping components intact. It’s an early-stage step that can reduce costs and preserve critical assets.
Specialty Testing
Some projects require more advanced or unconventional testing approaches. Our specialty testing services address unique materials, complex site conditions, and precise performance requirements that may fall outside of standard methods. It’s how we ensure non-standard applications are properly supported.
Product Certification
Product certification verifies that materials meet required standards, codes, and other applicable performance criteria. By confirming compliance with recognized testing methods, we ensure your materials are approved for use and accepted by regulatory bodies, reducing approval delays and supporting smoother project progression.
Product Monitoring
Product monitoring tracks material performance across multiple stages of a project. By maintaining this consistent oversight, we ensure your materials continue to meet require specs from delivery to installation. Think of it as an extra layer of quality assurance and accountability.
Load Testing and Load Ratings
Load testing evaluates how structures or the materials they’re built from perform under actual and simulated loads. These tests help determine capacity and limitations to validate design assumptions. Load ratings also provide clear guidance on safe usage, supporting both new construction and existing structures.
Damage and Failure Analysis
When materials or systems fail, you need to know why. We investigate damage and failure to identify root causes related to material quality, installation, or environmental factors. These insights then help to prevent recurrence and support more resilient designs and processes in the future.
As-Built Conditions
As-Built evaluations confirm that completed work matches the approved design specifications. By comparing actual site conditions to the planned requirements, we help identify discrepancies early. This produces accurate documentation that reduces risk during handover or future modifications.
Structural Assessments
Structural assessments evaluate the condition and performance of existing systems. Through these assessments, we provide data-backed insights into structural integrity to support maintenance work, retrofits, and investigations. If you need to inform repair strategies or extend service life, this is the perfect place to start.
Material Selection
The difference between the right materials and the wrong ones isn’t always easy to see. That’s why we provide data-driven guidance based on project conditions and performance requirements to help identify the best options. This supports performance, safety, and cost-effective decisions from the start.
Support Where You Need It
With 11 branch offices across BC and Alberta, our 250+ employees are positioned to support projects throughout Western Canada. Connect with your closest Metro office today to get the testing and technical support you need.
See Our Work in the Field
From major commercial builds to vital infrastructure projects, our material testing services support stronger results across sectors. To see what we can do for you, take a look at what we’ve done.
