Category Archives: Construction Materials Testing

Correcting Corrupted Proctor Data in Field Compaction Tests

In BreakTest’s field density form, applying a proctor (from the Proctor lookup list) to a test results row automatically adds a summary of that proctor to the “Soils Description” list on the form. With this in mind, consider a scenario where a proctor referenced in the test results table is missing it’s corresponding summary on the soils description list, or vice-versa.

Only proctor data 770 has matching summary "Description B - 770..."

Proctor data in row #3 has a matching summary “Description B – 770…”
Proctor data in rows #1 & #2 (1500…) have no matching summary, and “Description A -Edited Proctor – 1700…” has no matching proctor data on the results table. What is going on here?

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The New Proctor Test in BreakTest

The proctor method Moisture-Density Relationship test is now available in BreakTest.
It features a worksheet for the lab measurements, a proctor curve fit tool, and the PDF report which is delivered to the customer.
This proctor test module is based on ASTM698 and ASTM D1557 specification.

Key Features of the Proctor Test Module

Form Auto-Fill & Calculations:

As with all e-forms in BreakTest, the proctor test form is auto-filled with its project info as predefined.
Also, repeating test data (e.g. Volume and Weight of Mold) is auto-filled, and derived data (e.g. Wet and Dry Densities) are auto-calculated on the form.
Proctor test e-form, project info, CC list, Lab test data

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Getting E-Signature File Into BreakTest

About E-Signatures

An E-Signature stands for: Electronic Signature, and it is an image file of one’s signature that shows up on BreakTest reports after clicking the ‘Reviewed By’ check box. A user must have signatory rights for the ‘Reviewed by’ check box to appear.

An example of an electronic signature is the one shown below

E-Signature showing on a BreakTest Report.

E-Signature showing on a BreakTest Report.


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Printing a Select Set of Test Rows

Once the reviewer approves test results in BreakTest, signing the test reports automatically archives them as PDF files. These PDF reports are snapshots of the e-form as it was when it was signed, and are ready to be emailed to the client.
For field density tests however, there may be times when you are required to provide your client with only a select set of the test rows on the report. You can do this by selecting the rows you want, and printing only those.
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Working on a Select Set of Test Rows

Working with Select Rows
In BreakTest, concrete and soils test results are recorded on a long running table list on their e-forms (the list is broken up to fit letter-size pages for reporting). This continuous list simplifies managing the test results.
However, the list can get quite long for field density tests, and there are times when you need to work on certain field density test rows, and skip others. For example, you may need to assign proctors to only a set of applicable rows. Or if you’re approving the test results, you may need to skip certain rows due to inaccurate information. More purposes for this capability follows later in this article.
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Sign Test Reports Digitally to Maximize Automation

Signing auto-prepares report for sending

A signature of approval authorizes specified subsequent actions.

In the field of materials testing, by signing a test report the signatory is saying that it is okay to archive and send the test results to stakeholders. In addition to placing the signature on the form, digital signing should do more to make any subsequent authorized tasks as seamless as possible. This means taking advantage of the computer to boost productivity by:

  • Eliminating manual handling of the test reports
  • Streamlining the process of distributing approved reports to customers

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Improved Workflow for Breaking Concrete Samples

A Need to Better Manage Daily Breaking of Concrete Samples Uncovers and Resolves Other Workflow & Productivity Issues

A customer using spreadsheet concrete reports with some automation via macros scripts looked to Mezintel’s BreakTest for new ways to:

  1. Print daily cylinder break schedule
  2. Automatically populate individual reports with strength data filled-in from daily break forms.

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Run Program as Administrator

In order to successfully run a Mezintel program, you must run it as administrator. Mezintel software that is not running as administrator will encounter errors as some point of being used.

If the UAC dialog does not pop up when you try to run a Mezintel program, then it is not set to run as administrator.

User Account Control (UAC) pop-up dialog

When you try to run a Mezintel program as administrator, the User Account Control (UAC) dialog will pop-up by default.[1]


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Finally, an industry-designed application for geotechnical materials testing labs!

After searching globally for a software solution, a client approached Mezintel to develop a solution for its concrete and soils testing lab, which at the time was struggling to manage enormous amounts of paperwork. After 5 years of extensive development, the product was launched in 2010, initially with the concrete module, and two years later, with a soils module. Continue reading →