Concrete condition surveys
We have extensive knowledge of investigating, testing and surveying a wide range of reinforced concrete structures and buildings, including bridges, tunnels, coastal defences historic buildings, multi-storey car parks, high-rise buildings, system built dwellings, swimming pools, industrial facilities and office buildings.
Understanding the design, material characteristics and deterioration processes affecting a particular reinforced concrete building or structure is essential in diagnosing the causation and extent of defects affecting a structure. This enables a durable and cost effective concrete repair to be instigated and decisions made with regard to life-costing. We provide in-depth reports detailing our findings and also provide advice on the most appropriate repair strategies and systems.
Undertaking a sufficient and appropriate concrete survey is a requirement of BS EN 1504, Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures. We are associate members of the Concrete Repair Association.
Some of the testing and survey techniques we can employ in the assessment of existing concrete structures include:
- Measured defect survey which can be used to provide a Bill of quantities for repair in accordance with the CRA Standard Method of Measurement
- Delamination Survey to assess sub-surface cracking due to reinforcement corrosion
- Covermeter survey to assess concrete cover to reinforcement
- Carbonation testing to assess concrete alkalinity and likelihood of de-passivation of reinforcement
- Concrete sampling to determine presence of cast-in chlorides, chloride contamination and to determine chloride profile
- Concrete core sampling for inspection purposes or for compressive strength determination or petrographic examination
- Half-cell potential surveys
- Resistivity measurement
- Corrosion assessments, visual, measured and using surface analysis techniques
- Analysis of hardened concrete for chloride, sulphate and cement content
- Assessment of cement type and High Alumina Cement identification
- Use of Ferroscan and Proceq survey instruments to determine reinforcement provision or large scale assessment of concrete cover to reinforcement
- Assessment of fire and mechanical damage using petrographic examination
- Determination of aggregate type, quality, alkali aggregate reaction (ASR) sulphate attack using petrographic examination
