Papworths Construction Testing Equipment

There are several ways to test the strength of hardened concrete. Some tests are completely non-destructive while some are slightly destructive, leaving small holes that can easily be patched. Individuals performing concrete strength tests must be qualified and have appropriate certifications stipulated by the ASTM standard test methods. The easiest and most common strength test for concrete involves making a cylinder fresh and consolidated concrete and testing the hardened sample a specified age. A common requirement for casting concrete strength specimens is that moulds should be cylindrical, with a height to diameter ration of 2 is to 1. Moulds used to form concrete test cylinders vertically should conform to ASTM C470. Conforming to size and ratio standards is important to ensure accurate lab test results. The second most common type of concrete strength testing uses beam specimens that are hardened in a horizontal position instead of a cylindrical form. Beam specimens are commo...

The main advantage of investing in a universal testing machine is that the device can be used to test the strength, durability, and suitability for most any material. A universal testing machine has the capability to pull, compress, bend, or stretch material to its breaking point. It is primarily used by laboratories that manufacture and or mould different types of plastics. A universal testing device features one or two vertical columns mounted on a base. A second horizontal plate contains attachments that are used to hold the sample and slides up and down during stress testing samples. Dual vertical column machines are preferred by most laboratories as they can handle larger samples in terms of size and weight. Determining tensile strength is the most common test performed in a universal testing machine. This is done by holding one end of a sample in place while the other is pulled away until two sides are torn apart. The same process is used for testing flexural str...

The type of tools you will need to test the concrete structure largely depends on the types of tests or evaluations you need to meet building standards and follow common construction practices. The following are some of the most common testing ways used by testing services, engineering firms, developers, and builders whenever building or testing: •    The Rebound Hammer Test – This test is performed to estimate the compressive strength of concrete using a rebound hammer. The rebound produced by aspring-loaded mass depends on how hard the stricken surface is. When the plunger of a rebound hammer is pressed against concrete, the mass, which is spring-controlled, rebounds—the extent of which depends on the hardness of the surface. The rebound value is taken and read from a graduated scale designated as the rebound index. This can be read directly from a graph on the body of the rebound hammer. •    The Core Cutting Test – This test is a partially ...

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...

The advance mention technologies have brought in a sea change to the world of construction. The ultrasonic pulse velocity tester is one such instrument, and one of the longest established non-destructive tests for concrete. It provides a general measure of concrete quality, can be used to examine cracks depths, or locate voids, delamination and bad consolidation problems within concrete.  Most importantly, the features of this test method allow an operator to examine the concrete internal structure with no surface damage or destructive testing. Irrespective of the age of the building and size, ultrasonic pulse velocity tester accurately examines the condition of the building. There are wide spread applications for this instrument. It may be used to assess the homogeneity of materials including concrete and mortars. UPV results have acorrelation to strength and moduli of materials. A relationship has been established between UPV results and the depths of cracks pe...

Since structural condition is of great concern to owners and users it is necessary to understand what lies inside them and where. Concrete geometry testing refers to the ability to find the location of steel reinforcing, post/pre tensioning, or conduits in concrete, or to measure the dimensions of a concrete element. Applications could include drilling a penetration (core) into a concrete slab, measuring the thickness of a slab or measuring the length of a pile. There are a lot of advantages associated with geometry testing of concrete. For instance, the thickness of a concrete element and its width are some of the major measurement indicators required during design and construction. With equipment capable of measuring concrete thickness, like the concrete thickness gauge, it becomes much easier and quicker to proceed with the work. The equipment is so portable that one can easily carry it to the specified testing area on a construction site. Advanced concrete geometr...

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...