Static load test service

Static Load Testing Service – Accredited ISO/IEC 17025 Mechanical Performance and Structural Integrity Assessment for the Colombian Market

Static load testing is a fundamental mechanical evaluation method used to determine the strength, stiffness, deformation behavior, and load‑carrying capacity of materials, components, and structures under steady, gradually applied loads. This test is essential for a wide range of industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, and manufacturing, where components must withstand static forces without experiencing excessive deformation, yielding, or failure. In the Colombian market, where the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), the Ministerio de Transporte, the Ministerio de Minas y Energía (MinMinas), the Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH), and the Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN) enforce strict quality, safety, and structural integrity standards for materials and components, the accurate evaluation of static load performance is essential for product certification, supplier qualification, quality control in manufacturing, and import-export processes. Our laboratory offers a comprehensive static load testing service, applying standardized methods that measure tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, shear strength, and creep behavior under controlled loading conditions. All tests are performed under our ISO/IEC 17025 (CNAS) accreditation, and the resulting reports are fully accepted by Colombian authorities, making them indispensable for regulatory compliance, design validation, and market access in Colombia.

Test Samples and Materials We Regularly Examine

Our laboratory receives a wide variety of materials, components, and structures for static load testing. Typical samples include:

• Metals and alloys – carbon steels, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, copper alloys, and nickel-based superalloys.
• Plastics and polymers – thermoplastics (PE, PP, PVC, PC, PA), thermosets (epoxy, polyester), and elastomers (rubber, silicone, EPDM).
• Composite materials – fiber-reinforced plastics, laminates, and sandwich panels.
• Construction materials – concrete cylinders and cubes, mortar specimens, bricks, and masonry blocks.
• Wood and engineered wood products – timber beams, plywood, MDF, and laminated veneer lumber.
• Ceramics and refractories – for high-temperature and structural applications.
• Components and assemblies – bolts, fasteners, welds, joints, beams, columns, and structural frames.
• Prototype and new product designs – submitted by manufacturers for validation of static load performance before series production.
• Components retrieved from field service – for failure analysis and remaining life assessment.

Static Tensile Testing – Evaluating Strength and Ductility under Tension

Static tensile testing measures the resistance of a material to a slowly applied tensile load, providing key mechanical properties such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity. This test is fundamental for the characterization of structural materials and is required for certification by the SIC and MinMinas for components used in load‑bearing applications.

• Tensile test for metals (ASTM E8 / ISO 6892 / NTC 2150) – a standard dog-bone or cylindrical specimen is pulled in tension at a controlled strain rate (e.g., 0.015 mm/mm/min) until fracture. We measure the yield strength (0.2 % offset), ultimate tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus of elasticity. We report the stress‑strain curve and the key mechanical properties.
• Tensile test for plastics (ASTM D638 / ISO 527 / NTC 3853) – dumbbell-shaped specimens (Type I, II, or IV) are tested at a strain rate of 1 to 50 mm/min. We report the tensile strength, yield strength, elongation at break, and modulus. We also provide the stress‑strain curve.
• Tensile test for elastomers and rubbers (ASTM D412 / ISO 37 / NTC 3854) – dumb‑bell or ring specimens are tested at a rate of 500 mm/min. We report the tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus at 100 % and 300 % elongation.
• Tensile test for composites (ASTM D3039 / ISO 527-4 / NTC 3855) – we test rectangular specimens of fiber‑reinforced composites in the 0°, 90°, and 45° directions. We report the tensile strength, modulus, and failure mode.
• Tensile test at elevated and low temperatures (NTC 2151 – for metals; NTC 3856 – for plastics) – we perform the tensile test at temperatures ranging from -40 °C to +300 °C to evaluate the effect of temperature on the material's strength and ductility. We report the mechanical properties at the specified temperatures.

Static Compression Testing – Evaluating Load‑Carrying Capacity under Compression

Static compression testing measures the resistance of a material to a slowly applied compressive load, providing properties such as compressive strength, yield strength, and modulus of elasticity in compression. This test is essential for columns, bearings, concrete, and other structural components that are subjected to compressive forces.

• Compression test for metals (ASTM E9 / ISO 7500 / NTC 2152) – cylindrical or prismatic specimens are compressed at a constant strain rate (e.g., 0.1 mm/min) until a specified deformation (e.g., 10 % strain) or until failure. We report the compressive yield strength, the ultimate compressive strength, and the modulus of elasticity.
• Compression test for plastics (ASTM D695 / ISO 604 / NTC 3857) – cylindrical or prismatic specimens are compressed at 1.3 mm/min until yielding or fracture. We report the compressive yield strength, the compressive modulus, and the deformation at yield.
• Compression test for concrete (ASTM C39 / ISO 1920-4 / NTC 4032) – cylindrical concrete specimens (150 mm × 300 mm) are capped and compressed at a rate of 0.15 to 0.35 MPa/s. We report the compressive strength (in MPa) and the failure mode.
• Compression test for wood and engineered wood (ASTM D143 / NTC 3858) – blocks of wood or engineered wood are compressed parallel and perpendicular to the grain. We report the compressive strength and the modulus of elasticity.
• Compression test at elevated and low temperatures (NTC 2153 – for metals; NTC 3859 – for plastics) – we perform the compression test at temperatures ranging from -20 °C to +80 °C to evaluate the effect of temperature on the compressive properties.

Static Bending and Flexural Testing – Evaluating Resistance to Bending Loads

Static bending testing measures the resistance of a beam or a plate to a slowly applied bending load, providing properties such as flexural strength, flexural modulus, and flexural strain. This test is fundamental for beams, floor panels, pipes, and structural components that are subjected to bending forces.

• Three-point bending test (ASTM E290 / ISO 7438 / NTC 2154 – for metals; ASTM D790 / ISO 178 / NTC 3860 – for plastics) – a rectangular beam specimen is supported on two rollers and loaded at its center at a constant rate (e.g., 1 mm/min) until fracture or until a specified deflection. We report the flexural strength, the flexural modulus, and the load‑deflection curve.
• Four-point bending test (ASTM E855 / ISO 14125 / NTC 3861 – for composites and metals) – a beam specimen is supported on two rollers and loaded at two points (creating a pure bending region) at a constant rate. We report the flexural strength, the flexural modulus, and the load‑deflection curve.
• Flexural test for concrete (ASTM C78 / NTC 4035) – a concrete beam (150 mm × 150 mm × 600 mm) is loaded in three‑point bending at a rate of 0.5 to 1.0 MPa/min. We report the modulus of rupture (in MPa).
• Flexural test for wood (ASTM D143 / NTC 3862) – a timber beam is loaded in three‑point bending. We report the modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE).
• Flexural test at elevated and low temperatures (NTC 2155 – for metals; NTC 3863 – for plastics) – we perform the bending test at temperatures ranging from -20 °C to +80 °C to evaluate the effect of temperature on the flexural properties.

Static Shear Testing – Evaluating Resistance to Shear Forces

Static shear testing measures the resistance of a material or a joint to a slowly applied shear load, providing properties such as shear strength and shear modulus. This test is essential for bolted, riveted, and bonded joints, as well as for materials used in torsion and shear applications.

• Shear test for metals (ASTM B769 / ISO 8742 / NTC 2160) – a double‑shear or single‑shear test is performed on a cylindrical or prismatic specimen. We report the ultimate shear strength (in MPa) and the shear modulus.
• Shear test for plastics and composites (ASTM D5379 / ISO 14129 / NTC 3864 – V‑notched shear) – we perform the V‑notched shear test (Iosipescu method) to measure the in‑plane shear strength and modulus of composites. We report the shear strength and the shear modulus.
• Shear test for adhesives and bonded joints (ASTM D1002 / ISO 4587 / NTC 3865 – lap‑shear) – a single‑lap joint specimen is tested in tension to measure the lap‑shear strength. We report the lap‑shear strength (in MPa) and the failure mode.
• Punching shear test for metals and plastics (NTC 2161 – for thin sheets) – we perform a punching shear test on a thin sheet to measure the resistance to shear penetration. We report the punching shear strength.
• Shear test at elevated and low temperatures (NTC 2162 – for metals; NTC 3866 – for plastics) – we perform the shear test at temperatures ranging from -20 °C to +80 °C to evaluate the effect of temperature on the shear properties.

Creep and Stress Relaxation Testing – Evaluating Time‑Dependent Deformation under Sustained Load

Creep and stress relaxation testing evaluates the time‑dependent deformation of a material under a sustained static load (creep) or the decay of stress under a sustained strain (relaxation). These tests are essential for materials used in high‑temperature and long‑term applications, such as gas turbines, boilers, and structural components under permanent loads.

• • Creep test (ASTM E139 / ISO 204 / NTC 3870 – for metals; ASTM D2990 / ISO 899-1 / NTC 3871 – for plastics) – a specimen is subjected to a constant tensile or compressive load (typically 30‑50 % of the yield strength) at a specified temperature (e.g., 200 °C, 400 °C) for a period of up to 10,000 hours. We measure the creep strain over time, and we report the creep curve (strain vs. time), the steady‑state creep rate, and the rupture time.
  • Stress relaxation test (ASTM E328 / NTC 3872 – for metals; ASTM D2990 / NTC 3873 – for plastics) – a specimen is strained to a specified deformation (e.g., 1 % strain), and the stress required to maintain that deformation is measured over time. We report the stress relaxation curve (stress vs. time) and the relaxation modulus.
  • Creep rupture test (NTC 3874 – for long‑term strength) – we perform a creep test at several load levels and record the time to rupture. We construct the creep‑rupture curve (stress vs. time to rupture) and report the stress rupture strength.
  • Creep at elevated temperatures (NTC 3875 – for high‑temperature applications) – we perform creep tests at temperatures up to 1000 °C for superalloys and refractories. We report the creep strain and the rupture time.
  • Creep under compression and bending (NTC 3876 – for structural components) – we perform creep tests under compressive and bending loads to evaluate the long‑term deformation of beams, columns, and other structural elements. We report the creep strain and the deflection over time.

Complementary Tests – Hardness, Dimensional Inspection, and Material Characterization

To provide a comprehensive assessment of the material's mechanical behavior and to correlate the static load properties with its microstructure, we perform complementary tests such as hardness, dimensional inspection, and material characterization. These tests are essential for quality control, failure analysis, and material selection.

• Hardness testing (ASTM E18 / NTC 3880 – Rockwell; ASTM E10 / NTC 3881 – Brinell; ASTM E92 / NTC 3882 – Vickers) – we measure the hardness of the material (HRC, HRB, HB, or HV) to correlate with the strength and wear resistance. We report the hardness values.
• Dimensional inspection (NTC 3883 – for measuring deformation and elongation) – we measure the dimensions (diameter, length, thickness) of the specimen before and after the static load test, to quantify the deformation and the elongation. We report the dimensional changes and the permanent set.
• Microstructural examination (ASTM E3 / NTC 3884 – for metals; ASTM D790 / NTC 3885 – for plastics) – we examine the microstructure of the material to detect any changes (e.g., grain deformation, phase transformation, or micro‑cracking) caused by the static load. We report the microstructural observations.
• Fractographic analysis (SEM and EDS – ASTM E1508 / NTC 3886) – we use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the fracture surface and identify the failure mechanism (ductile, brittle, fatigue, or intergranular). We report the SEM images and the failure analysis.
• Chemical composition analysis (ASTM E415 / NTC 3887 – for metals; FTIR / NTC 3888 – for polymers) – we confirm the chemical composition of the material to verify that it matches the specified grade. We report the composition and the compliance.

Test Report and Recognition in the Colombian Industrial, Construction, and Infrastructure Sector

All procedures described are within the scope of our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, with equipment calibrated periodically (universal testing machines, extensometers, hardness testers, etc.) and traceability to international standards (NIST, PTB). Our test reports are issued in Spanish and include:

• Full identification of the test sample (material, component, or structure, manufacturer, lot number, dimensions, and intended application).
• Detailed description of the test methods applied (ASTM/ISO/NTC standards, loading rate, temperature, and environmental conditions).
• Numerical results: tensile strength (MPa), yield strength (MPa), elongation (%), compressive strength (MPa), flexural strength (MPa), shear strength (MPa), hardness (HRC/HV), creep rate (%/hour), and stress relaxation (%).
• Graphical data: stress‑strain curves, load‑deflection curves, creep curves, and stress relaxation curves.
• Comparative tables against the values specified by the client or against the limits of the NTC 2150 (Tensile), NTC 2152 (Compression), NTC 2154 (Bending), NTC 3870 (Creep), and the requirements of the SIC, Ministerio de Transporte, MinMinas, ANH, and DIAN for product certification and structural design.
• Photographs and micrographs (SEM) of the specimen before and after the test, showing the deformation, fracture, or failure mode.
• Recommendations for material selection, design optimization, and quality improvement to achieve the required static load performance.
• Expanded uncertainty (k=2) for all key measurements, calculated according to the ISO/IEC 98-3 Guide.

These reports are fully accepted by the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) for product registration and quality certification, by the Ministerio de Transporte for infrastructure material approval, by the Ministerio de Minas y Energía (MinMinas) and the Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH) for the validation of materials in the oil, gas, and mining sectors, and by the Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN) for tariff classification and quality verification in the import of structural materials and components. Additionally, we offer consulting services for the design of statically loaded structures, the selection of materials with optimal mechanical properties, and the implementation of quality control programs for static load performance, contributing to the safety, durability, and economic efficiency of infrastructure and industrial projects in the diverse and growing Colombian market, from the bridges and high‑rise buildings of Bogotá and Medellín to the pipelines, mining equipment, and energy infrastructure across the country.