Laboratory Concrete Testing

Concrete testing is one of core activities but it encompasses so much more than simple cube testing.

Why Test Concrete?

Concrete testing is carried out for many reasons:

1. Evaluation of new materials or products

2. Check compliance before, during or after construction

3. Assess condition for change of use or service life prediction

4. Failure investigation

What Can Be Tested?

Concrete testing means more than cubes or cores:

1. Component materials: cement, PFA, GGBS, admixtures, coarse and fine aggregates, fibres, reinforcement, water

2. Fresh Concrete, mortar and grout

3. Hardened Concrete; cast specimens: cubes, cylinders, prisms

4. Existing structures: drilled core or dust samples, sawn specimens, in-situ non-destructive testing of structural members

Which Tests?

Concrete testing is loosely covered by four main headings:

Physical/Mechanical

• Workability/Consistency

• Compressive/flexural/tensile strength

• Modulus of elasticity

• Density/water absorption/permeability

• Moisture/thermal movement

Chemical

• Composition (cement content, w/c ratio)

• Presence of contaminants, eg chlorides

Visual and Microscopical Examination

• Identification of components

• Identification of deterioration processes

Durability

• Soundness

• Bond strength/adhesion

• Cover to reinforcing steel

• Carbonation depth

Who should test?

Concrete testing is best carried out by someone that is:

1. Experienced in planning, concrete testing and interpretation of test data

2. Independent to avoid bias (no matter how unintentional)

3. Accredited for a wide range of tests

Concrete Engineers make sure we meet these criteria and offer a range of concrete testing services which can be tailored to suit your needs.