Before occupying any structure, its durability, strength and viability must be determined. As a result, any structure, new or old, can be evaluated if necessary. It is not necessary, however, to have it done for the current or prospective owner. It is, however, always recommended to have it done to learn and evaluate longevity, resistance and stability, Though the most common method for concrete scanning is to assess the quality by collecting a specimen while it is being built, the specimen's results may differ from those of an erected structure. Non-destructive testing methods are the most dependable in this regard. They not only give the true picture of the tenability of the concrete structure but also elaborate on other factors, like hardness of the concrete, resistance, rebound capacity and a structure’s suitability for any intended use.

Why is Non-Destructive Testing on


Does non-destructive testing help?

Non-destructive testing has no effect on the weight of any structure. It does, however, aid in learning about a structure's strengths and weaknesses prior to its use. Of course, weaknesses here refer to areas that can be improved to restore a structure's strength. The cost of the rework is up to the occupant to decide whether to bear it or not. For example, if a pre-existing structure is being used to store heavy-load machines and equipment, it is critical to have a strength measurement on hand.

What is the use of non-destructive testing?

Non-destructive testing helps determine the structural elements, such as measuring the volume or density of a material and the components of a concrete structure. The uses of concrete strength testing methods are:
  • Identifying any cracks or voids and determining their impact on the structure's durability.
  • The concrete's uniformity is measured without causing any damage to the structure.
  • Non-destructive testing is used to assess factors, such as overloading, fatigue, external or internal chemical attack, and any negative effects from fire or the environment.

Non-destructive methods used for testing a concrete structure

The non-destructive testing method is advantageous because it does not cause structural damage in the way that coring or other destructive methods do. There are numerous methods for determining various structure factors, such as moisture content, humidity level, cracks or the position of steel bars. Any discrepancy can have a negative impact on the structure's durability. The various testing methods are as follows:
  • Windsor probe test: the Windsor probe test for concrete coring uses an ultrasonic probe to determine the hardness of the concrete.
  • Rebound Hammer test: it is used to determine the uniformity of the concrete.
  • Concrete crack monitors: this test is used to determine the width of any visible crack in a concrete structure and to assess the threat it poses.
  • Moisture testing of the concrete structure: this is done to determine whether the concrete structure has enough moisture to be durable. Any structure that is exposed to excessive moisture will deteriorate faster.
  • Concrete humidity measurement test: this differs from the moisture test in that it assesses the level of humidity within the structure.
  • Rebar locator test: this is performed to ensure that the steel reinforcement in concrete is properly positioned and it is durable.
If you are looking for concrete core scanning services in Virginia, Maryland and DC, contact Concrete Insight online.