Accurate evaluation of concrete cracking

Posted by gbracing on December 26th, 2013

Concrete surfaces are widely found everywhere as they are a strong and practical form of building structures. Starting from shopping malls to schools and industries, these concrete surfaces are found as roofs, walls, flooring and more. New concrete structures can crack during curing and older structures tend to develop cracks due to increased settlement or the long term effects of reinforcing corrosion. In order to maintain the strength of the concrete structures, concrete geometry measurement and crack investigation equipment can be used.

Non-destructive Concrete Testing

In order to check the standard of a concrete structure, constructors often chose to drill through them or otherwise destructively find cracks and joints. Drilling damages the concrete further hence non-destructive concrete measuring devices are being used nowadays. Non-destructive devices can make use of sound waves to examine the internal structure a depth of visible cracks. Permanent sensors can also determine expansion of crack widths. Here are a few among the most useful concrete crack measuring devices available:

Strain Gauges -The internal strain, crack widths and more in the concrete surfaces can be accurately measured with strain gauges. There are different varieties of strain gauges available in the market like:

  • Vibrating wire strain gauge with embedment for installation in structure before casting and internal strain measurement.
  • Vibrating wire strain gauge with surface mounts for regular concrete and masonry surfaces.
  • Vibrating wire crack meter for the larger motion of crack expansion.

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity–Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing can be used in a method proscribed by BS 1881 to measure the vertical depth of cracks perpendicular to the surface.

Thickness Gauge –This non-destructive device can be used for measuring the thickness of the concrete surface. Especially suited for concrete floors which can be measured while also identifying any internal delamination.

IBIS-S Interferometric Radar – This device is used for dynamic monitoring of concrete structures without causing any tension to the surface. It can offer real time information about the motion and deflection of a structure under load, better predicting the risk of damage.

To locate cracks and other damage in concrete foundations parallel seismic, ultra seismic and concrete thickness gauges are also used.

All of the above mentioned geometry detecting and concrete crack measurement devices are available at PCTE’s website of non-destructive testing equipment. This non-destructive testing equipment supplier in Australia specialises in supplying all concrete crack and geometry detection devices at affordable rates.

About the Company:

PCTE specialises in the sale and hire of Concrete Non-destructive Testing equipment. We support testing contractors, engineering companies and specialist firms in the building and construction industry. Non-destructive testing [NDT] equipment supports damage free evaluation of concrete strength, construction, quality and durability. PCTE have been in business for many years as Australia’s leading supplier of NDT equipment for the construction industry with a dedicated team of sales engineers ready to support and answer any testing questions.

Like it? Share it!


gbracing

About the Author

gbracing
Joined: January 10th, 2013
Articles Posted: 11

More by this author