Advanced materials testing laboratories
Our laboratories test granular materials, aggregates, asphalt mixtures and bituminous binders to assess their suitability for road construction.
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Highlights
A heavy vehicle simulator that revolutionised roads design and assessment
The heavy vehicle simulator (HVS), developed by the CSIR, transforms road testing by simulating decades of traffic wear in just a few months. It bridges the gap between laboratory testing and real-world performance, accelerates material validation and drives global innovation. Its impact on construction is profound, offering proof testing for new materials and enabling faster, more cost-effective road technologies. One success story is the validation of nano-organo silanes using HVS – a technology that has reduced road-building costs by almost 50% and construction time by 40%.
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Could non-recyclable plastic fractions play a part in sustainable road surface mixes?
Non-recyclable plastics could offer a solution for sustainable road surface mixes and could improve the livelihoods of informal and formal waste collectors. In an earlier study, the CSIR built a 100 m test section of road, paved with a patented mix of traditionally non-recyclable plastic and bitumen on one side and a standard road surface mix on the other. This section underwent 20 years of traffic and weather stress in just three months. A well-performing plastic-bitumen mix will help reduce the current waste burden by returning non-recycled plastic to the economy. Roads with improved performance will be more resilient to extreme heat and storms.
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Test road constructed using local fillers and recycled tyres
Results on a 200-metre trial road in Roodepoort, using micro-fillers and recycled tyres, showed strong performance after nine months of traffic exposure. The tests were undertaken by the CSIR and Much Asphalt to test innovative pavement technologies. The layered structure was designed for durability and monitored regularly. These technologies offer effective alternatives to conventional binders and help improve poor-quality bitumen, especially during shortages. The trial formed part of research efforts to build more sustainable roads by increasing tyre recycling and using locally available additives.
Our capabilities
The advanced materials testing laboratories provide specialist testing services and develop innovative kits and customised equipment. They are equipped to create new technologies and testing procedures to support the science, engineering and technology needs of the pavement engineering sector in South Africa and internationally. The laboratories are modelled around the two main types of road pavement design and include the granular and cementitious materials laboratory,asphalt laboratory and bituminous laboratory.
Our research
We conduct road material testing to ensure cost-effective road construction and longer lifespan. We carefully select materials for each layer, considering site conditions and road purpose, to optimise durability, performance and long-term value.
Our offerings:
We conduct tests on road building materials for road engineers and researchers, road owners, construction groups and consultants.We offer:
Forensic investigations into road failures
Reference laboratory testing partnerships
Product/technology development collaborations
Sustainable use of waste material in road construction partnerships
Equipment/method training