Concrete diagnosis

Control of hardened and fresh concrete

Control and profiling of concrete applied in building constructions or in structural elements during ongoing works. Sampling of fresh concrete upon its arrival in the building site in order to assess its compliance with the project and its characteristics.

Testing of concrete (mixtures of fresh and hardened concrete) in the Laboratory of Materials (accredited lab):

• Compression tests of cylindrical samples (cores) 
• Bending tests of concrete prisms
• Lowering test (Abraams cone) 
• Core removal, cut and correction of compression faces
• Bending Test and compression of mortars
• Ascertaining the elasticity module
• Testing of diametric compression

Assessment of the status of reinforcement and testing of steel used for construction reinforcement

Assessment of corrosion in concrete reinforcing bars by measuring the electrical potential, inducing electric current; measured on the surface of the reinforced concrete elements for generation of equipotential line maps.

Testing in the Laboratory of Materials: 

• Testing of metallic materials
• Single-axis compression and Traction up to 500kN
• Folding up to 200kN and 180º
• Low cycle fatigue up to 500kN 
• Testing of aggregates
• Sieve Analysis
• Chemical Analysis
• Determination of the chemical composition of concrete reinforcing steel (bars) by means of optical spectrometry emission.

Adherence assessment between materials and coating

Adherence assessment by means of a mechanical test known as pull-off in structural repair works, building renovation and as means of support in specialist technical inspections in situations of ungluing of wall coverings in buildings.

Monitoring of cracks and slippages

Monitoring of cracks in reinforce concrete structures by measuring and periodic monitoring in order to check its status.

Residual stresses in components and structures

Determine residual stress in the lab and on site in order to assess pre induced stresses in both components and structures. These techniques are complemented by monitoring systems and data gathering in real time, thus monitoring the operating conditions of both components and structures, either under normal temperature or high temperatures.

Development of special tests

ISQ develops testing processes and methodologies for specific situations in different kinds of materials and under different testing conditions, particularly for metallic alloys, ceramics and composite materials, at temperatures from cryogenic range up to 1000 ºC.

Boroscope note in structures and building and construction elements

Observation of lower confined areas of reduced size in order to monitor its status by using a key grip camera with lighting at the end in order to inspect small spaces such as seams, suspended ceilings, gravity drain tubes and inside the cracks.

Inspection of topographic structures

Dimensional analysis of building constructions, in particular, inspection of the dimensions of the different structural elements, levelling and vertical alignment with topography equipment.