This service answers
“How strong is the concrete, and where is the reinforcement?”
You receive: Test plan and test report with location maps, results and engineering interpretation
Testing that answers engineering questions
Test numbers on their own do not make a building safe or unsafe. We plan each testing programme around the questions the structural analysis needs answered, then interpret the results as engineers, not just as a laboratory.
Methods
| Test | What it tells us | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete core testing | In-place compressive strength — the most direct measure | ASTM C42 |
| Rebound hammer | Surface hardness; uniformity across members and floors | ASTM C805 |
| Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) | Internal integrity; voids, honeycombing, cracks | ASTM C597 |
| Ferro-scanning (cover meter) | Bar position, spacing, approximate size and cover | — |
| Carbonation depth | How far carbonation has reached toward the steel | — |
| Half-cell potential | Probability of active reinforcement corrosion | ASTM C876 |
Why we combine methods
Rebound hammer and UPV are quick and cover the whole building, but they need calibration. Cores are reliable but limited in number. We use broad NDT to map the building, targeted cores to calibrate it, and ferro-scanning to confirm reinforcement — giving a defensible picture at sensible cost.
Where testing fits
Testing is part of every Detailed Engineering Assessment and structural audit, and is used on new construction to verify that concrete meets the specification.
Questions owners ask
Is NDT enough on its own to judge concrete strength?
No. Rebound and UPV readings must be calibrated against cores from the same building. On their own they show relative quality, not reliable strength values.
How many cores are needed?
Enough to represent each element type and concrete batch of interest. We set the number in the test plan, following recognised sampling practice, and add cores if results vary widely.
Can testing be done while the building is in use?
Yes. Most tests are quiet and quick. Coring is scheduled to avoid disruption, and holes are repaired the same day.