Lab Testing
The accredited lab that reads what the wood is telling you
Strength, density, and species, measured by non-destructive methods, backed by IAS accreditation and decades of results.
Accreditation
Results your reviewers will accept
IAS
ISO 17020
Inspection agency
IAS
ISO 17025
Testing laboratory
Our lab also supports forensic investigations, a distinct demand in the US market, providing evidence-grade testing for disputes and post-incident review.
What We Test
A full battery of timber tests
We run many test methods, some destructive, some not. We choose the method to fit the question and the value of the material.
Non-destructive
Characterize material in place, without sacrificing it, ideal for heritage and in-service members.
- Density / specific gravity
- Moisture content
- Species identification
- Decay detection (typically in the field, sometimes in the lab)
Destructive
Load specimens to failure for the definitive numbers a design or dispute demands.
- Bending strength (modulus of rupture)
- Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
- Compression & shear
- Fastener & connection performance
Full-Scale Testing
The largest open-faced beam tester on the West Coast
At the Jefferson lab we load-test full-size members, not coupons.
Built in 1989, our open-faced beam tester takes clear spans over 100 ft, members up to 6 ft deep and 18 in wide, bigger than any university’s. We also build and load-test full-scale building and bridge mockups in-plant, so a design is proven at real size before it’s ever installed.
100 ft+
Clear span
6 ft
Max depth
18 in
Max width
Full-scale open-faced beam tester at the Jefferson lab
Non-Destructive Testing
Get the data without cutting into the structure
Destructive testing damages what you’re trying to save. Ours doesn’t.
Non-destructive methods let us characterize strength, density, and moisture in place, so a heritage member is assessed without being sacrificed. That’s the difference between a diagnosis and a demolition.
Non-destructive testing in progress
From Sample to Report
Receive to report
1
Receive
Samples or on-site access logged into the accredited workflow.
2
Test
Destructive and non-destructive lab methods: strength, stiffness, density, moisture, and species.
3
Analyze
Results interpreted against standards and structural context.
4
Report
An accredited, defensible report you can act on.
Non-Destructive vs Destructive
Why the method matters
Factor
Non-destructive (WRD)
Destructive testing
Cost
Keeps assessment affordable at scale.
Extraction, prep, and repair add cost.
Structural impact
None, the structure stays intact.
Removes or damages the very material in question.
Turnaround
Fast, in-situ measurement.
Slower: extraction, lab prep, then repair.
Heritage suitability
Safe for irreplaceable historic fabric.
Unacceptable for heritage material.
Case Examples
Data on the record
The Nest
Bradenton, Florida · 2022
The Nest
Connector failure analysis and species matching
Original connectors and preservative treatments caused trouble by 2022. WRD lab results and assessment reports guided the repair plan on cost, timeline, and quality, leading to species-matched glulam with concealed mortise-and-tenon connections.
Keystone Wye glulam QA testing
South Dakota · Glulam QA
Keystone Wye
Quality-assurance testing
Quality-assurance testing on the landmark glulam arches of the Keystone Wye highway interchange, verifying material performance.
Lab Testing FAQ
Common questions
It means an independent body has verified our lab operates to ISO 17020 and ISO 17025. Your results carry recognized, defensible weight with reviewers, agencies, and courts.
Yes. Our methods are non-destructive, so heritage and in-service members are characterized without being cut apart.
Yes. Species identification lets us apply the correct material properties and standards to strength and design work.
Yes. Our lab provides evidence-grade testing for failure analysis, disputes, and post-incident review.