CONCRETE LOCATION OF INTERNAL DEFECTS
Why testing for internal defects in concrete?
As of today, the most common practice for evaluating structure is visual inspection, accompanied by concrete sounding. However, to really understand and identify the internal state of the structure without invading, much more sophisticated Non Destructive Testing tools are required. Due to inadequate selection of concrete and poor quality control during casting, often internal defects that endanger the integrity of the structure are generated. At the same time, throughout the life of the structure, this will be subjected to loads probably not contemplated during design. Such loads can be caused by human negligence or in most cases, natural disasters such as fires or earthquakes.
The most important structural defects are surface opened cracks, parallel cracks to the surface (delaminations), internal voids and honeycombing (segregation). The correct identification of these defects is essential to rescue an existing structure without having to demolish and build a new one.
Advanced Ultrasonic Methods: Beyond what is Visible
Neodex has the most advanced Non Destructive Testing (NDT) methods for accurate diagnosis of the inside of the structure. Our methods basically work through the induction of ultrasonic stress waves into the concrete and the analysis of their resonance.
Our Methods to Evaluate Internal Defects are:
– Impulse-Response (ASTM C1740): By analyzing the frequency domain of induced forces and stres-waves into concrete we can complete a rapid assessment of structures to locate week points caused by delaminations, cold joints or voids in concrete plate-like structures.
– Impact-Echo (ASTM C1383): By analyzing the frequency domain response of an induced compression wave into concrete elements we can determine the thickness and depth to defects such as voids and delaminations.
– Ultrasonic-Echo: By anaylizing the time domain response of an induced shear wave into concrete we can generate 2D (cross section) and 3D (Three Dimensional) imaging of the inside of concrete. This allows us to know and visualize the thickness of concrete elements, depth and shape of defects such as voids, delaminations and honeycombing.
Structural Visual and Internal Defect Location Services:
– Delamination Mapping
– Depth of Surface Opened Cracks
– Depth of delaminations
– Location/Determination of delaminated areas in concrete decks
– Depth and location/Identification of internal Voids.
– Detection of honeycombing.
– Location of cold joints
– Voids between Slabs and Soil.
