Papworths Construction Testing Equipment

Triaxial test systems are designed to help you determine the mechanical properties of soils when you need to design embankments, foundations, and other structures. Excavations, building constructions, tunnelling, and other similar applications can affect subsoil structures in many different ways, and these effects can be simulated successfully with a triaxial test. In this test, a specially designed device is used to determine the relationship between stress and strain in undisturbed or recompacted soil samples, which are investigated by subjecting them to different drainage conditions and stress levels. A triaxial test will help make sure that the soil on your construction site can support the structure, which you want to build on it. It lets you identify soil properties on your site and measure the shear stress the soil can support and if it can support your structure. That way, you can make informed decisions and engineering predictions using valuable soil data, like dilatancy...

Half-cell instruments are crucial for the inspection of corrosion in concrete structures. Corrosion inspection is important to determine and evaluate the quality of steel within structures. It is a key task in ensuring proper corrosion control and the integrity of a structure. Laboratory evaluations and field data are occasionally obtained to make sure that information is up-to-date and to help the management make informed decisions on what they can do to slow down the corrosion process or to predict how long the structure can last before it gives its way. Using half-cell instruments can reduce the time it takes to accomplish the inspection. The half-cell potential metre is one of the types of half-cell instruments that can test reinforcement steel, with the ability to analyse corrosion. Thus, it is considered one of the most advanced and comprehensive instruments for corrosion analysis. Reputable manufacturers have designed the half-cell potential metre to be durable, with a rob...

The Schmidt hammer is a device that measures the strength and elastic properties of rock or concrete using the rebound technique, which correlates the surface hardness with the strength of concrete. The device was invented by a Swiss engineer, Ernst Schmidt, and the hammer is widely used around the world by engineers and construction specialists for quality assurance. The Schmidt hammer is also known as a 'rebound hammer' and 'concrete test hammer', and it comes in different types. Here is an overview of some of them: Original Schmidt hammer - The commonly used model is the original or classic Schmidt concrete test hammer , which is equipped with a mechanical gauge to measure the rebound value of the test impact. Correlation of this rebound value R is an effective non-destructive estimate of concrete's compressive strength (within 25%) and also a very good measure of the uniformity of concrete quality.   Silver Schmi...

GPR (ground penetrating radar) is an advanced imaging technology for exploring the subsurface of the earth. It uses electromagnetic wave propagation to generate images and identify the changes in the ground's magnetic and electrical properties. With GPR systems, you can find post tensioning and reinforcing in concrete, underground utility lines, conduct groundwater studies, and monitor the structural integrity of aeroplane runways. They may be used to detect land mines, survey the land for construction, and in forensic research, too. Standard GPR equipment is composed of three parts: the control unit, power supply, and the antenna. It can run on a range of power supply types, such as small rechargeable batteries to normal 110/120-volt and vehicle batteries. Adapters and connectors can be used for every type of power source. The control unit houses the electronics, which supply the radar energy's pulse so the antenna can pick it up and deliver it to the ground. It contains...

The slump test is the empirical evaluation to determine the quality of fresh concrete. The test lets you check and measure the consistency of concrete from a specific batch relative to the original mix design, and it is necessary to make sure that you are using concrete that is workable and suitable for certain applications. This method of testing fresh concrete is popular because it is easy, with simple equipment and an easy-to-follow procedure. However, the simplicity of the test may result in a wide variability in the ways a test is performed. Using the right equipment should help ensure a more accurate and repeatable way to measure and understand the nature of concrete. With a slump test, you can be sure that different batches of concrete have a uniform quality under field conditions. It can be used to determine the effects of certain plasticisers in the concrete, too. The slump test typically uses a metal mould, which is shaped like a cone's frustum, but open at both end...

Soil testing lets engineering companies and construction firms determine the mechanical behaviour of soils before they build foundations, roads, and other infrastructure. There are different kinds of soil testing equipment that can be used to characterise samples of soil in the laboratory or on-site. A soil testing kit may be handy for various building projects, whether your goal is to construct a road or a new building. The most comprehensive kits come with all the necessary tools and accessories to conduct soil testing on-site or in the laboratory. The Importance of Soil Testing Kits Soil is a crucial element when building a strong foundation in any construction project. The majority structures from roads to buildings, dams, and bridges are based on soil, which is the natural foundation acting as the support for all infrastructure and forms of construction. Soil investigation and testing is a small investment of time and money that can ensure the integrity of your structur...

The half-cell potential test is conducted to determine and estimate the possibility of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. Corrosion of the reinforcing steel is considered an electro-chemical process, so the steel's behaviour can be determined by measuring the electrical potential field within the concrete with a reference electrode A more negative potential in concrete that is not oxygen starved generally depicts a higher corrosion risk. The test is usually performed on a grid with varied spacing depending on the type of structure and the concrete properties. High-end equipment and devices are used when measuring both resistivity and half-cell potential, and they typically consist of a reference half-cell electrode, internal voltmeter, connecting wires, and copper/copper sulphate or silver/silver chloride electrode. Copper-copper sulphate is the preferred electrode in high-end half-cell potential testing metres for easy of serviceability and its use in standards, bu...

A universal testing machine is used for measuring the force applied to various materials and the resultant reformation that occurs to them. One common use for this type of machine is the testing the strength of reinforcing steel bars under tension. Investing in a high-quality equipment should provide you with a solution that can address your requirements in different testing applications. Here are some important factors to consider while buying a universal testing machine: Buy from the right retailer – Make sure the store specialises in supplying hydraulic and electromechanical testing equipment that conform to local standards. Look for a retailer who can provide accessories for the universal testing machine, too, such as the grips, fixtures, load cells, and platens.   Consider a customised machine – Some retailers understand that every business will have a different set of requirements, so they have a team of engineers who can cre...

Coating thickness is a crucial factor in process and cost control, product quality and evaluating onsite finishes. Determining the thickness of various layers of paint in a structure can be easier with a coating thickness metre which can get measurements by analysing the eddy current or via magnetic induction for coatings over steel. The coating thickness metre can be one of the most versatile tools to have. It can be used on surfaces, which are made of metallic material like metal, non-ferrous metal alloys, and iron. It can be used to ensure quality control while galvanising or anodising, as well as for measuring coatings on automotive applications. Using the right coating thickness metre is essential to ensure accurate and reliable results. Moreover, you need to make sure that you know how to properly use the device. For this reason, manufacturers of high-end coating thickness metres offer user-friendly gauges that are easy to operate and read. Issues that determine the method ...