The Fuels and Materials Research Laboratory (FMRL) has provided physical testing and research on concrete, fly ash, and engineering materials for more than 20 years. Research and development work on coal by-products have resulted in significant technological advancement in several applications, including mineral wool, cement replacement, high-flexural-strength ceramics, sulfur concrete, high-heat-capacity brick, soil and road subbase stabilization, controlled low-strength materials, and ash liner materials. The FMRL is fully equipped to evaluate most materials testing parameters used in civil engineering, which are the cornerstone of testing procedures for evaluating the utilization of coal by-products.

The FMRL recently completed work with the North Dakota Industrial Commission, Great River Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, and the State Board of Agriculture Research and Education Division on characterizing 13 different sources and types of lignite by-products for use in the construction of a highway in North Dakota. The results of this demonstration effort will increase the use of coal combustion by-products in feedlot settings.

• ASTM C618: Fly ash and raw calcined natural pozzolan for use as a mineral admixture in portland cement concrete
  • Available chemical testing:
    • SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃
    • MgO, CaO
    • SO₃
  • Moisture loss
  • Loss on ignition
  • Available alkalies as Na₂O
  • Available physical testing
  • Amount retained on No. 325 sieve
  • Pozzolanic activity index with portland cement
  • Autoclave expansion or contraction
  • Drying shrinkage
  • Specific gravity
• ASTM C204: Fineness by air permeability
• ASTM C593: Fly ash and other pozzolans for use with lime
  • Compressive strength
  • Vacuum saturation test
• ASTM C114: Chemical analysis of hydraulic cement
• ASTM C666: Resistance of concrete specimens to rapid freezing and thawing in water, Procedure A
• ASTM C215: Test for fundamental transverse frequency of concrete specimens
• ASTM C469: Static modulus of elasticity of concrete in compression, 6 x 12-in. cylinders
• Bituminous (asphalt concrete) testing
  • Marshall hot-mix design by ASTM D1559
  • Extraction, Rice voids analysis by ASTM D2172
• Molding of full-size, dry-pressed brick
  • Firing of brick
  • Glazing of brick
• Extrusion and firing of high-flexural-strength ceramic specimens containing fly ash–sand/glass–clay mixtures
• Mixing, compaction, curing, compression testing, and freeze–thaw testing of AASHTO T99 and T180 stabilization cylinders
• Sampling and testing of normal and lightweight concrete aggregate, including sieve analyses, specific gravity, and soundness
• Other available physical tests
  • ASTM C441 and C227: Reactivity with cement alkalies
  • ASTM C1012: Length change of hydraulic cement mortars exposed to a sodium sulfate solution
  • ASTM C185: Air content of hydraulic cement mortar
• Long-term resistance of concrete to sulfate exposure
• Permeability testing
  • Concrete cylinders (6 x 12 in.)
  • Soil and other materials
  • ASTM D2343: Membrane-type permeameter (triaxial apparatus)
  • Bureau of Reclamation: Falling head
• Use of rocking furnace (indoor) for production of mineral wool fibers
• Laboratory batching and testing of portland cement concrete by ASTM C192
• Tensile strength of compacted powders