CMTL’s specialist field technicians provide safe and reliable structural testing solutions for the construction industry. Our advanced testing techniques can be used to identify potential weaknesses, save time and money, and meet safety regulations.
Structural testing is absolutely essential within the modern construction industry. It is used to ascertain whether an existing structure or individual object is fit for purpose, and to ensure new developments meet industry standards. We work closely with our clients to ensure quality control, cost-effectiveness, and compliance for every project.
Condition Surveys of Concrete Structures
Condition surveys of concrete structures are a way to detect any weaknesses and defects. It involves visual inspection, and non-destructive and destructive testing to provide an accurate assessment of the structure and ensure its long-term structural integrity.
Benefits of condition surveys of concrete structures include:
- Informs property owners of the condition of their structure
- Identifies any defects or damage that may need to be addressed
- Helps to inform decisions about repairs or preventive maintenance
- Provides an overall picture of the structure's condition
- Informs plans for future construction or renovations
Pull-off & Pull-Out Testing
Pull-off and pull-out testing is important for structural integrity. Pull-off tests measure adhesion strength, while pull-out tests measure fastener bond strength. These tests are generally used in civil engineering, automotive, aerospace, and other industries.
We perform pull-off tests to measure the force needed to detach a material or coating from a surface – useful for evaluating bond strength or adhesion. Pull-out tests measure the force needed to pull an object from a socket or hole – determining the bond strength of the fastener or anchor.
Reinforcement Mapping
At CMTL, our engineers utilise reinforcement mapping using Hilti Ferroscan & X-Scan as a reliable solution for mapping the location and quantity of steel reinforcement in concrete structures.
Cutting-edge technology like Hilti Ferroscan and X-Scan provides accurate scans of structures – allowing our engineers to map steel reinforcement. It offers a more efficient and cost-effective approach to structural engineering projects, creating detailed and accurate reinforcement maps quickly and reliably.
Floor Slab Investigations
Load testing is an essential tool for validating floor bearing capacities, particularly when a change of building use occurs, or additional loadings are required which deviate from the original design.
Testing is typically performed using either water weights or steel kentledge, with a suitable deflection monitoring system put in place for the duration of the test.
We can also carry out a suite of insitu tests to provide information on the slab construction detail. These include:
- Measurement of slab thickness.
- Determination of concrete grade / strength.
- Reinforcement detail: orientations, bar sizes, spacings, presence of multiple layers.
- Confirmation if slab is ground bearing or suspended.
- Strength of underlying subgrade material.
This information is typically required when historical records of a building’s construction are unavailable, or when confirmation of design drawings are required.
Balustrade & Barrier Testing
CMTL's balustrade and barrier testing process provides reassurance that any building or structure featuring balustrades or barriers is safe and able to withstand any weight it may come into contact with.
This essential structural testing process consists of load testing, impact testing, and corrosion testing. We do this by using digital load measurement cells and high precision dial gauges to monitor deflection. With CMTL's professional testing process, you can be sure that your balustrades and barriers are safe, secure, and conform to British standards.
Half-Cell Potential Surveys
Half-cell potential surveys are a structural testing tool that can detect corrosion problems in structures such as bridges, tanks, and others.
They help our engineers identify existing corrosion, and decide if further action is needed to prevent further deterioration. They also evaluate existing corrosion protection systems and pinpoint areas that may need to be repaired or replaced – ensuring the safety and longevity of structures.
Post-Tension Bridge Inspection
Maintaining the integrity and safety of post-tension bridges is absolutely crucial. The post-tension bridge inspection process involves a complete structural evaluation of the bridge and its components.
Structural testing is a critical part of the inspection process as it helps to identify any potential problems, such as corrosion. The inspection process also includes visual inspections, non-destructive testing, and dynamic testing to ensure the bridge is safe for use. At CMTL, we conduct post-tension bridge inspections to identify and address any issues before they become a hazard to the public, or before they require costly repairs.
Diamond Coring & Compressive Strength Testing
Diamond coring and compressive strength testing are used to evaluate the structural integrity of a material or structure. This testing helps to determine a material's or structure's resistance to compression by measuring its compressive strength.
It is widely used in the construction industry to guarantee that structures are both safe and sound. AT CMTL, our engineers take a small core sample from the material and measure its compressive strength with specialised equipment.
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Visual Condition & Delamination Surveys
CMTL provides detailed visual condition and delamination surveys for structural testing to ensure the integrity of our client’s structures and provide peace of mind.
Visual condition and delamination surveys are a type of structural testing that can detect any issues that may be present. These surveys can uncover any visible signs of deterioration such as delamination, corrosion, cracking, or structural instability. It is essential that visual condition and delamination surveys are done in order to guarantee that a structure is safe and secure.
Load Testing
A vital part of all building’s structural safety processes is load testing. It helps to assure the safety of a building by assessing the strength and stability of its structure. This type of testing ensures that a building can handle external forces, such as wind and snow for example, as well as its overall load bearing capacity.
At CMTL, our engineers use load testing to identify any structural weaknesses in a building and take the necessary steps to address them before any safety issues arise.
Commercial Shelving & Display Unit Testing
Commercial shelving and display unit testing are essential within any busy retail environment and should be tested to ensure they are compliant with BS 6180: 2011 industry standard. These tests are used to ensure the safety of existing or new shelving and display units used in retail and other commercial settings, and to highlight any potential risks.
Structural testing is an important part of this process and typically involves testing the strength and stability of the shelving and display units. This can include testing the strength of the materials used, the structural integrity of the unit itself, and the strength of the connections between components. Additionally, our engineers also test for fire resistance, chemical resistance, and other environmental factors to ensure the safety of the unit for its intended use.
Benefits of Our Structural Testing Services
- Receive valuable data on the safety of a commercial building
- Identify any potential risks and address them before they become a problem
- Enhanced structural integrity
- Save money with reduced costs of any repairs or alterations
- Fast turnaround of testing services, saving time and money on projects
- Comply with the relevant British and European regulations and quality standards
- Improved health and safety
- Highly experienced testing team
- High quality and accurate equipment