On-site concrete testing services and evaluation is a main challenge, usually carried out for concrete strength and condition assessment of existing infrastructure. Concrete testing services in Edmonton ensure the quality control of new construction. Central Material Testing helps owners and maintenance managers of existing concrete structures perform non-destructive and non-intrusive methods. We offer the best concrete testing services in Edmonton to avoid further damage to an already stressed structure. In construction projects, changing to non-destructive means shorter downtimes, less intervention, and saving money. However, all technicians & engineers agree that the strength of concrete is a serious parameter.
On-Site Evaluation of Structural Strength with Concrete Testing Services in Edmonton
Concrete compressive strength is the most important property of concrete. It implies the mechanical characteristics of concrete for obtaining the desired durability performance. Evaluation of concrete is an important task for two main categories: existing structures and new construction. Concrete testing services in Edmonton are of special interest to engineers who assess concrete structures’ structural condition. These tests are used to evaluate concrete’s mechanical characteristics and durability performance. On the other hand, Concrete Testing Services in Edmonton for new construction are usually monitored during the construction process. Project managers, construction engineers, and quality control & quality assurance inspectors depend on concrete compressive strength test results. Also, engineers require reliable tools to measure the actual strength of concrete when compression tests on concrete cylinders produce low breaks.
Non-Destructive Concrete Testing Services in Edmonton
Nondestructive concrete testing services in Edmonton offer a stimulating approach to assessing the compressive strength of concrete. These methods provide the evaluation of material properties while remaining rapid and of moderate cost. Let’s have a look at the major non-destructive testing solutions for on-site valuation of concrete strength for existing structures and the early-age construction concrete strength.
NDT for Existing Concrete Structures
Compression Testing Evaluation on Concrete Cores
Extracting samples for Concrete Quality Testing services in Edmonton for compressive strength is often known as the most cost-effective and reliable solution. Many codes and guidelines consider this the only authentic method for evaluating concrete strength. This test requires the concrete core to be taken from the existing building structure. The concrete core needs cutting and surface preparation. Then the core is then tested for compressive strength. It is important to carry cores properly to maintain moisture and safe mobilization helps to yield reliable information.
Compression test is the most reliable method to estimate the concrete compressive strength. The testing method is relatively fast. However, it is destructive in nature. It not only damages concrete integrity; it might affect reinforcing bars in building structures. For performing this test, rebar locating tools are required. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is needed to avoid this problem. Moreover, selecting test locations can be difficult as well as the best location for concrete cores is relatively subjective. Also, the locations of cores need to be repaired. It is important to know that coring is not an option for possessors of important structures, particularly when there are issues about further damaging the structure.
Pull-Out Concrete Testing
The pull-out concrete testing services in Edmonton involve the tensile force required to pull a metal disk connected to a layer of concrete. It is related to the compressive strength of the concrete from the surface to which it is attached to it. Moreover, the pull-out test is normally used for early diagnosis of strength glitches. However, it can be employed to evaluate the strength of concrete in existing building structures. Moreover, Pull-out concrete testing services in Edmonton involve attaching a small piece of apparatus to the exterior nut, screw, bolt, or fixing. This is then dragged to the designated stress load level to calculate how strong and protected the fixing is.
The pull-out concrete testing method is relatively easy to use. Also, if a relationship to concrete strength is established, the method can deliver strong test results. Moreover, Pull-out tests often include crushing and damaging concrete.
Rebound Hammer Testing for Concrete Strength
The Rebound number of Hardened Concrete is usually used to assess the in-place uniformity of concrete. Material Testing Services Edmonton are employed to delineate variations in concrete quality throughout a structure and to evaluate in-place strength if a correlation is established. The Rebound Hammer test works based on the rebound principle and entails of measuring the rebound of a spring-determined hammer mass after its interaction with the concrete. Also, new versions of this concrete test have been commercialized and are used to support engineers and inspectors with several material properties.
The low cost of the rebound hammer test is due to its simplicity. Moreover, it is the most widely used nondestructive test for concrete. It is normally used as a tool to assess the strength of concrete although by mistake. However, empirical correlations have been established between strength properties and the rebound number within limits. There is a standard procedure to calibrate test results for every specific construction project and use project-specific correlation to evaluate the strength. This will curtail the number of intrusive tests. Rebound Hammer concrete testing services in Edmonton are easy to use for most field applications and the test Is usually performed to study the uniformity of concrete. Besides, the pros, there is an issue with the surface condition, the presence of sub-surface voids, and the presence of rebar can affect the test results.
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
This concrete test is an effective technique for quality control of concrete materials by detecting damages in structural components.The UPV concrete testing services in Edmonton have been traditionally used for homogeneous materials such as metals and welded connections to check the quality control of materials. The test involves measuring the travel time of sound waves in a medium and comparing them to the elastic properties as well as the density of the material. The travel time of ultrasonic waves replicates the internal condition of the test area. UPV can be applied to detect other sub-surface deficits. The method is affected by the presence of voids, cracks, and rebar. Moreover, there is no enough results to assess the reliability of the method in the field.
Concrete Testing Services in Edmonton for New Construction Projects
- The Maturity Method
This technique is used to account for the combined effects of time and temperature on the strength growth of concrete. The Maturity method for concrete testing services in Edmonton provides a simple tactic for evaluating the strength of cement-based materials in real time. The Maturity method uses the values of temperature variation in concrete foundations. Also, wired or wireless Thermocouples are embedded within concrete and the temperature variation of concrete during the curing process is observed in real time. Get the quotation at Central Material Testing for concrete testing services in Edmonton.
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