Investigation

These investigations are crucial for identifying the construction details of vital elements, such as load-bearing structures, foundations, or beams.

They also serve to verify that newly constructed assets have been built according to the intended architectural and engineering standards, ensuring safety and durability.

Structural investigations can range from a Ferroscan survey to map out the reinforcement pattern within concrete, to more intrusive surveys such as reinforcement breakouts to confirm bar size, type and condition, up to the large-scale removal of sections to establish connection details of structural elements.

Other works may involve coring through walls or floor slabs to understand their physical build-up, and this may then be complemented by endoscopic surveys into any voids these investigations uncover. Often, the resultant cores are then tested in the laboratory for compressive strength.

Whilst we understand that intrusive works are not always an option, we always recommend that they are carried out wherever possible to provide verification of any NDT results.

Intrusive areas can be made good upon completion of the works to the level of finish required by the asset owner.

In summary, structural investigation services may include:

- Covermeter surveys (e.g. Elcometer covermeter surveys or Hilti Ferroscan Imaging)
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys (e.g. Hilti PS1000 or Proceq GP8000 surveys)
- Exploratory opening up works
- Core sampling
- Endoscope surveys
- BRE screed testing
- Level surveys
- Brick sampling
- Humidity monitoring
- Pull-off testing

Post Tension Special Investigations (PTSI) - to identify the position and condition of ducts and tendons, and sample the surrounding grout and concrete for further analysis.

PTSI work typically involves the physical exposure of tendons and any surrounding duct casings, to allow further investigation.

Works often include the identification of tendon positions, using a combination of record drawings, GPR surveys, and Ferroscan surveys, followed by small diameter pilot holes with the aid of cover meter borehole probes.

Vital information such as size, type, number and condition are recorded in each location and further testing may be carried out if voids are encountered using borescope surveys and/or volume void estimation (VVE) to establish the extent of the defect.

PTSI work is often paired with the standard concrete testing methods to give asset owners the information they need.