Concrete Testing
Cementitious materials have been used since ancient Egyptian times and many Roman structures made using an early type of concrete are still standing today, after nearly 2000 years.
It is clear that when concrete has been correctly specified, designed, placed and maintained we have a strong, durable, relatively low cost, versatile construction material. So why do we need concrete testing?
To ensure that the concrete meets the design criteria at the time of placing it can be useful to check some of the physical properties. Environmental factors such as very low or very high temperatures affect how the concrete sets. Poor mixing, inadequate compaction, contamination, the addition of surplus water and loss of water can all affect the concrete even when correctly specified and correctly supplied.
An early indication of the strength of concrete at 7 and 28 days using cube compression testing or by obtaining core samples for compression testing is an essential tool for ensuring the design strength is reached.
After hardening, many things can affect concrete. Frost, sulphates or thaumasite attack for example or structural problems such as failure of half-joints but most significant is corrosion of the steel reinforcement within the concrete.
At all stages during the life of concrete it is essential to have concrete testing carried out by a competent, independent testing organisation.
Nicholls Colton have been testing concrete for over 40 years and our services span from wet concrete testing through to confined space coring works and working at height concrete investigations.
We can offer concrete sampling, slump testing and cube making on site in accordance with the current British Standard BS EN 12350 Parts 1 and 2:2009 Compressive strength testing of cubes, including curing to BS EN 12390 Parts 1, 2 and 3:2009.
Regular inspection and maintenance of concrete structures such as highways and rail bridges, multi storey car parks and buildings ensures that the optimum safe lifespan is obtained. Nicholls Colton have specialised in supplying either structures testing or full inspection services. Principal Inspections commonly comprise of tests of half-cell potential, depth of cover, depth of carbonation and taking samples by drilling. Nicholls Colton have become experts in more complicated structures carrying out for example Post Tension Inspections where great care is required to inspect and obtain the samples from around the highly tensioned strands that strengthen the structure. Following industry concerns about half-joints in bridges, Nicholls Colton are at the forefront of inspection techniques using coring and the latest video probe technology.
Site Inspections need to be backed up with laboratory concrete testing and analysis, preferably from a UKAS accredited laboratory. Compressive strength of concrete density, water absorptions and water/cement ratio determinations from core samples taken in accordance with BS EN 12504:2009 and chemical analysis BS1881: Part 124:1988, of concrete cores, lumps or dust give vital information on the condition of the concrete. Chloride ingress from winter gritting of the highways is the biggest cause of steel reinforcement corrosion. Drilling samples at increasing depths towards the steel shows the ‘profile’ of chloride ingress. Cement, sulphate and alkali analysis will highlight other potential problems. Where more detailed information is required a microscopic or petrographic examination can be invaluable.
Nicholls Colton are quite unique in being one of the few ‘truly independent’ testing companies that offer a service that ranges from specialist site inspection and testing to analysis of concrete and other construction materials.
We hold extensive industry, quality (UKAS) and safety accreditation and we aim to work in partnership with our customers as their professional partners.
For further details and/or competitive rates please contact John Davies on
0116 253 6333 or contact us by e-mail.