Inspection & Condition Assessment

A unique approach for the effective evaluation of deterioration mechanisms affecting reinforced concrete

 
Submitted by jdashevsky on Fri, 2015-05-08 14:18

Condition Assessment

SIMCO’s condition assessment services are comprehensive – offering a range of testing and deliverables based on the needs of the owner and the project. The objective of a standard condition assessment is to identify the root cause of problems and the level of damage.

Based on the client’s needs, SIMCO can also provide additional testing services to predict service-life as well as help to determine optimal repair solutions including associated repair and maintenance budgets.

 

SIMCO offers three levels of assessment services, plus optional service-life modeling utilizing STADIUM®


 

Routine Visual Inspection

Detailed Inspection

Condition Assessment
Description Comprehensive visual appraisal that describes the observed problem area(s) Documentation of the problem area(s) that quantifies the location and degree of the visible defects and conditions Analysis of collected data, documentation of current conditions, extent of damage (if any), and root cause analysis.
Includes

  • Verbal or written summary

  • Includes photos with notes
  • Report and client briefing
  • General – access to structure
  • Detailed – access to condition area, may involve samples and testing
  • Engineer of Record or Responsibility
  • Field and laboratory testing
  • Repair option(s) and proposal
  • Written report and client briefing, may involve samples and testing  
Benefits
  • Quick assessment of the general condition
  • Quick and non-destructive assessment of the general condition
  • Quantified evaluation of what needs to be repaired and how it should be done
  • Detailed condition assessment helps to determine the residual service life of the structure
  • Specific information relating to the degradation mechanisms affecting the condition of the structure
  • With the use of STADIUM®  - Helps to elaborate appropriate repair, rehabilitation and maintenance options to ensure an optimumservice life

All activities are conducted according to applicable codes and standards such as: ISO16311, Concrete Society Special Publication CS137, ACI 562M-13, ACI 201,1R-08, ACI 364, 1R-07, ACI 437R-03, etc.

 

Field & Laboratory Testing Capabilities:

 

Non-Destructive Testing

  • Acoustic impact testing & visual inspection - site survey
  • Rebound hammer testing
  • Cover meter/GPR survey
  • Infrared thermography
  • Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing
  • Ultrasonic thickness testing of structural steel members
 

 

Semi-Destructive Testing

  • Half-cell potential
  • Sample extraction- cores and dust samples
 

 

Specialty Testing

  • Corrosion surveys
  • Concrete resistivity
  • Electrical continuity testing
  • Corrosion potential mapping (half-cell potentials)
  • Linear polarization resistance (LPR)
  • Petrographic examination of concrete
 

 

Laboratory Testing

  • pH testing/carbonation depth
  • Chloride ion content
  • Sulfate ion content
  • Compressive strength testing
  • ASR testing
 

 

 

Industry-Leading Service-Life Prediction Tools

SIMCO’s expertise in the major parameters that govern the deterioration process has led to the development of innovative infrastructure evaluation techniques, including the STADIUM® suite of service-life prediction software tools. A specialized version of the software has been created for the unique environment in the Middle East – which factors in both local conditions and materials to provide advanced service-life modeling and prediction.

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