Nondestructive Testing

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-destructive testing method that utilizes radio waves (electromagnetic energy) to detect objects and separation within concrete and masonry structures. Typical uses of GPR include: determine the thickness of various structural members, depth and orientation of reinforcement, locate voids beneath slabs on grade, locate embedded conduits, pipes, and other objects, locate voids, delaminations and honeycombing in concrete structures, locate grouted cells and reinforcement in masonry walls.

Vibration monitoring services include the measurement and evaluation of vibrations in buildings and other structures. Vibrations are induced by various sources including, construction operations, blast, earthquake, wind, machine operations, traffic, and other sources. Vibrations are measured by seismographs which record the magnitude of vibration frequency, acceleration, and peak particle velocity. The measured vibrations are analyzed and their effect of the structure is determined.

Half-Cell testing (ASTM C 876) estimates the electrical half-cell  potential of reinforcing steel in concrete  structures for the purpose of determining the potential for corrosion activity in the rebars at the time of testing.  Approximately 350 mV potential would indicate  a potential of corrosion activity in the reinforcing steel.

Pachometer is a magnetic device used to locate existing rebars in concrete structures. This equipment can determine the concrete cover, rebar sizes, spacing, and length.

Rebound hammer (ASTM C 805), and Windsor Probe (ASTM C 803) testing methods can be used for assessing the general quality, uniformity, and relative strength of concrete members.

This testing device is a two-dimensional crack monitoring measure.  It is used as a simple tell-tale, with a measurement accuracy of 1/50".

Electronic strain gages and instrumentation can be installed on a structure to monitor the structural behavior over an extended period of time.  Excessive tilting, strain, stress, deflections can continuously monitored.

Flat Jack Testing is used to determine the in-situ stresses of masonry walls. It also used to determine the deformation properties of existing unreinforced solid units masonry.

The boroscope is a fiber-optic device that is used to observe conditions inside cavities or hidden areas of a  structure, thru drilled holes.  Conditions and locations of brick metal ties, shelf angle flashing within cavity masonry walls can be probed without the removal of bricks. Boroscope surveys can also be used to detect obscured waterproofing membrane conditions.

Ultrasonic testing is used to measure the thickness of steel members.  This equipment is especially useful when a steel member can only be accessed from one side.  Corroded structural steel members can thus be measured expeditiously and accurately.

The moisture meter is used to determine the presence of moisture in an object. Moisture readings can be taken within masonry walls, drywalls, insulation, concrete members, roofing, wood construction, and other applications.

Infrared Thermography (IT) is a non-destructive testing technique to detect thermal patterns and temperature differentials across a given surface. IT is been widely used in the building industry. Infrared cameras capture the thermal image of heat emissions from the various surfaces and provide information of a possible hidden defects. Typical applications include detection of moisture within the building envelope in general and in walls and roofs in particular, detect voids in grouted masonry walls, and detection of construction hidden failures.