Our experienced interdisciplinary team, made up of engineers, chemists, mineralogists, geologists and physicists, will provide guidance on how to deal with damage to concrete structures. We employ microscopy (light microscopy on thin sections, scanning electron microscopy) to determine the causes of the damage and describe the state of your structure in expert reports. We analyse cracks and discoloration found on building structures or components.
Damage analysis
Do you have a problem with a damaged concrete structure? We will analyse the damage and assess the actual state of your structure. On the basis of the results obtained we can plan the protection and maintenance work required for your structure.
Our methods
- Recording of damaged and intact areas
- Taking of samples from the structure
- Microstructural analysis on thin sections employing light microscopy
- Microstructural analysis employing scanning electron microscopy
- Testing of physical and mechanical parameters (e.g. static modulus of elasticity and compressive strength)
| Geometrical properties | |
Service | Method |
Non-destructive testing of compressive strength (rebound hammer) | DIN EN 12504-2 |
Surface tensile strength, adhesive strength, tensile adhesion strength | DIN 1048-2, ZTV-ING, DAfStb repair guideline: |
Non-destructive determination of concrete cover | electromagnetic |
Ultrasonic transit time |
|
Crack recording, use of gypsum marks |
|
60°C concrete prism test or 40°C fog chamber test on drill cores (with or without alkali supply): Determination of residual expansion potential | VDZ |
Post-cracking flexural strength on steel fibre concrete beams (e.g. taken from an industrial concrete floor) | Based on DAfStb guideline |
Determination of the content and orientation of steel fibres (CT) |
|
Pore content and pore distribution in concrete, mortar and hardened cement paste employing mercury intrusion porosimetry | DIN 66133 |
Capillary water absorption | DAfStb, no. 422, |
Water absorption at atmospheric pressure / at 15 MPa | DAfStb, no. 422 |
Permeability measurement | DAfStb, no. 422 |
Taking of samples from structure (e.g. drill cores for compressive strength test) | DIN EN 12504-1 |
Microstructural analysis employing scanning electron microscopy |
|
Microstructural analysis on thin sections employing light microscopy |
|
| Qualitative and quantitative phase determination with X-ray diffraction | |
| Phase determination employing thermal analysis | |
| Determination of asbestos | |
Leaching tests (dynamic surface leaching test/one stage batch test) | CEN/TS 16637-2, |
| Composition of hardened concrete | DIN 52170 |
