Papworths Construction Testing Equipment

The Schmidt Hammer is a valuable instrument for testing concrete. Inside the hammer is a sensor that measures the rebound value of the test impact with repeatability and high resolution. The hammer is also known as a ‘rebound hammer’, with ‘rebound’ pertaining to the effective, non-destructive way to measure the compressive strength of concrete to within a 20 percent range, and the control of uniform concrete quality in prefabricated structures and in-situ concrete. Certain steps must be followed to ensure accuracy and proper use of the Schmidt Hammer . Here are some of the guidelines to consider: Refer to ASTM C805-13 – The standard test method with a Schmidt hammer is listed under ASTM. The latest standard provides the procedures for the test method for rebound number of hardened concrete.   Calibrate the hammer – A good supplier offers equipment with calibration certificates and recalibration services.   Make sure the concrete i...

Concrete corrosion pertains to the degradation that occurs within and outside the material. Concrete can degrade due to various reasons, usually due to material limitations, construction methods, the design, and constant exposure to severe conditions. Structural, functional, and aesthetic problems may occur due to fire damage, effects of sea water, aggregate expansion, calcium leaching, bacterial corrosion, chemical damage, and physical damage. Corrosion of concrete can lead to widespread damage to critical assets and structures, like bridges and sewage pipelines. Preventative measures like coatings (i.e. lacquer or oil-based paint and varnish), surface treatment, and better construction methods are utilised to help prevent and combat these types of corrosion. The production technique of cements can be improved to prevent damage, too. Corrosion would usually be too late to remedy the problem once signs of damage occur on the surface. Hence, specialists rely on advanced testin...

Using a crack measuring device is one way to determine the overall integrity of a material like concrete. There different crack measuring devices are available to ensure proper measurement and accurate data collection. A good crack measuring device should be able to help you diagnose problems with concrete, so you can think of the most appropriate ways to remedy them. Here are ways to use some commonly used crack measuring devices : Digital position strain gauge deformation meter This device has a digital dial gauge attached to a bar. A conical point is fixed and mounted at one end of the bar, while the moving conical point is on a knife edge pivot on the other side. Pre-drilled stainless steel discs, are attached to the structure with an appropriate adhesive, are positioned using the setting bar. The gauge's conical points are inserted into holes in the discs when a reading is required, and the dial gauge's strain measurement is noted. This way, strain changes occu...

Soil analysis is an important aspect of every construction project, and it is usually conducted before construction starts. The quality of the soil in your construction site will be crucial to the stability and longevity of the structure that you are planning to build. Hence, you must conduct proper soil testing using the most reliable equipment. Soil testing can help you assess the ground's suitability and provide you with important data for making informed decisions. High-quality soil testing devices can examine the geotechnical and chemical properties of the soil. This way, you can determine the soil's suitability for handling a structure and determine whether it is safe to build on it. Using a reliable soil testing device can let you identify the different types of soil on the site and where they are found. Some testing devices will determine the density, compaction, strength, sand content, contamination, and organic content in the soil, and assess if they will ha...

Piezometer is an instrument used to measure the pressure of fluids or ground water at a specific point. Vibrating Wire piezometers use a gland and a vibrating wire sensors to measure this pore pressure. The primary use of a piezometer is to determine the pressure of ground water at a particular point or any other fluids such as, for instance, in a digging well of an extraction plant. Since the equipment gives the instant pressure and allows the data to be logged over time, it is helpful in monitoring the fluid pressure in many applications. Piezometer are used extensively in the geotechnical industry in determining the level of ground water. This is very helpful when monitoring the ground conditions around construction or infrastructure such as tunnels. Other applications include the use of piezometer on construction sites, for gauging the ground water pressure before digging up the ground for erecting a structure.   The instrument is highly efficient in de...

A driven pile or a drilled shaftfoundation forms the basis of the building and any deformities or cracks in them can reduce their bearing capacity and ability to support the structure. There is testing equipment that can help in detecting these cracks or voids and prevent any damage to the whole structure. Selection of the right testing technique, preferably prior to the construction of the foundation is vital to analyse foundations for the presence of defects. Piles or shafts in a construction act as support for the building and any major cracks or soil inclusionspresent in them is considered to be a defect. Location and extent of these defects can be evaluated with pile integrity testing equipment. Pile integrity testing, also known as sonic echo testing measures the effect of a strike to the top surface of a cast or driven pile. An accelerometer and geophone record the effects of the strike. Both the depth of the pile, and the position of any defects can be ev...