ELE International highlights the importance of testing hardened concrete in order to minimise costs and build sound structures, and discusses how the latest testing equipment is increasing the accuracy and simplicity of testing.
Concrete is an extremely versatile building material that can be supplied ready mixed, prepared freshly on-site, or delivered as pre-cast component parts that can be produced to the exact specification and quantity required. However, the almost infinite range of variables in the properties of a concrete mix can result in inconsistent tolerances and compromised safety, unless thorough and accurate testing is carried out. For this reason, material and component manufacturers, material testing laboratories and civil engineering construction companies are now investing in the latest testing technology, to ensure that concrete consistently demonstrates the requisite qualities for a given application. By making testing more efficient and reliable, this technology is helping to increase productivity, improve safety and reduce costs.
As well as testing fresh concrete, to assess the suitability and consistency of a mix, hardened concrete should also be thoroughly tested to ensure that pre-cast component parts to be used have the desired properties, and that concrete already in use has retained its desired properties. It is often advantageous to specify plant-produced concrete, as pre-cast components are manufactured under controlled conditions, offering precisely produced products and high levels of consistency. However, even when this is the case, there remains a requirement for samples to be taken from site, or the production plant, to be tested under controlled conditions.
One of the properties of hardened concrete that should be measured is density, which can affect its durability, strength and resistance to permeability. Hardened concrete density is determined either by simple dimensional checks, followed by weighing and calculation or by weight in air/water buoyancy methods. The density of cubed or cylindrical samples can be quickly and accurately determined using a buoyancy balance, consisting of a rigid support frame and a platform mounted water tank. A mechanical lifting device is used to raise the water tank through the frame height, immersing the specimen suspended below the balance. The balance supplied may also be used as a standard weighing device, providing a versatile and comprehensive weighing system in the laboratory.
Engineers are also able to measure drying, shrinkage and moisture movement in pre-hardened concrete samples. Initial drying shrinkage tests can be taken, measuring the length of a moulded and cured specimen under specified conditions and comparing it to its final constant length when dried. In a similar test, drying shrinkage can be measured, which is the difference in length of a matured specimen cut from concrete and saturated, and its final length upon being dried. A third test can be carried out for moisture movement, whereby the difference between the constant length of a specimen when dried and its length when subsequently saturated in water is recorded. These three tests to determine the change in length of a concrete sample brought about by a change in moisture content enable engineers to make accurate predictions of how a pre-cast section will behave when in contact with moisture.
Perhaps the most important test for hardened concrete is compressive strength testing, which enables engineers to assess the strength of a concrete sample and its performance under actual loading, as opposed to the design loading. Furthermore, any deterioration, from chemical action, weathering, fatigue or excessive loading, can be precisely measured.
The latest generation of compression testing equipment offers extremely reliable results, automating a number of processes for ease of use. Equipment typically combines a high stability load frame, hydraulic ram assembly and high specification loading platens, with incorporated digital and microprocessor technology to provide highly accurate results. Closed loop microprocessor control is invaluable in today’s compression testing equipment, significantly increasing productivity and offering outstanding levels of accuracy and consistency in testing cycles.
Advanced microprocessor controlled units, such as ELE’s ADR Auto range, can be used to provide fast, accurate and detailed results recording and analysis for high throughput testing, both on site and in the laboratory. These machines are fully automatic and require minimal operator involvement, improving productivity and reducing costs. A wide range of different sized samples can be accommodated by the equipment, which is designed for different frequencies of use, and varying levels of data handling. They are also compliant with the latest EN specifications, and employ specially designed upper platen/ball seating arrangements to ensure there is no movement of the assembly after initial contact with the sample. Research has shown that any movement of the upper platen, coupled with frame deformation during the loading cycle of standard cube samples, can induce tensile cracks and result in variances of measured strength.
Compressive load is achieved using a hydraulic power unit to provide the required pressure to the ram/cylinder unit of the load frame. Hydraulic systems that incorporate automatic closed loop controlled loading with a variable output pump, benefit from low temperature operation, as only the required amount of hydraulic fluid is delivered to meet the loading requirements. A further benefit is that service life of components is extended due to reduced operational stress. While much of the operation process is automated, users have access to a simple control panel for calibration, sample selection, test control, and options to save or print or download test data to PC.
This latest testing equipment allows hardened concrete, including pre-cast components and extracted samples from completed structures, to be tested more efficiently and accurately than previously possible. Through the use of advance microprocessor technology, many testing processes can be automated, reducing human error and enabling detailed results to be easily distributed. By investing in testing, risk and uncertainty can be efficiently and cost effectively minimised, resulting in sound concrete structures.
For further information contact us at Tel: +44 (0) 20 7193 6027 Email: ele@eleint.co.uk. Web: www.ele.com.