Ensuring Quality & Durability with Concrete Testing
Since 1987, ACS has been a trusted provider of comprehensive concrete testing services. We provide UKAS-accredited tests on both fresh and hardened concrete, supporting a wide range of construction projects and investigations. Our services encompass the most requested tests for physical and mechanical properties, as well as bespoke material testing tailored to meet specific client requirements.
Our offering includes both on-site and laboratory-based assessments, conducted in strict accordance with applicable British and European standards. Our experienced technicians hold current CSCS cards and are committed to maintaining the highest safety and quality standards. This commitment is reinforced through rigorous training based on detailed method statements and thorough risk assessments.
On-Site & Laboratory-Based Concrete Testing
Concrete is the most widely used building material globally, composed of Portland cement, fly ash, slag cement, crushed rock or gravel, sand, and water. To enhance its performance characteristics, chemical admixtures and other materials are often added to the mix, and it is commonly reinforced with steel rods (rebar) or wire screening (mesh).
The success of many construction projects heavily depends on the type and quality of concrete used. Construction materials testing optimises concrete mix design, accurately determining strength, workability, and stability. It also plays a vital role in assessing long-term durability and investigating failures, informing effective preventative / remedial strategies.
In addition to the ACS main testing laboratory, we have a purpose-built concrete testing lab equipped with compressive strength machines, flexural testing macihines, grinding apparatus, and curing tanks. It also features an overhead gantry for handling large numbers of test specimens, complete with our dedicated database and concrete sample printing for assured sample traceability and integrity.
Our Concrete Testing Services
| Test | Method | What it shows |
| Sampling Fresh Concrete | BS EN 12350-1 | To ensure a representative sample of the fresh concrete is obtained |
| Concrete Slump Test | BS EN 12350-2 | To check the consistence of the concrete meets the clients specification |
| Determination of Air Content | BS EN 12350-7 | Where air-entrained concrete is specified its air content must be checked |
| Temperature of Fresh Concrete | Documented In-House Method | To confirm the temperature of concrete meets any minimum or maximum specification requirements |
| Concrete Cube Testing (including curing) | BS EN 12390-3
BS EN 12390-2 |
Determines the strength of hardened concrete cubes (100-150mm), commonly tested at 7 and 28 days after casting |
| Flexural Strength | BS EN 12390-5 | Prismatic specimens subjected to a bending moment |
| Density | BS EN 12390-7 | To determine the density (as-received, water saturated or oven-dried) of concrete |
| Compressive Strength of Concrete Cores | BS EN 12504-1 | Determines the strength of hardened concrete in existing structures |
| Cement Content | BS 1881-124 | Determines the cement content of hardened concrete |
| Hi-Alumina Cement (HAC) | BRE Rapid | Determines the presence of HAC within the concrete |
| Chloride Content | BS 1881-124 | Determines the chloride content of hardened concrete |
| Concrete Trial Mixes | Documented In-House Method | Full trial mixes for determination of strength and fresh concrete properties |
In-Situ & Laboratory Concrete Investigation & Analysis
While well-designed reinforced concrete structures are usually very durable, steel reinforcements can corrode in harsh environments, such as motorway bridges, car parks, and marine installations. Over the past decades, construction practices have left a legacy of structures with various defects that contribute to reinforcement corrosion, necessitating repair or even replacement.
Before repairing a reinforced concrete structure, it is crucial to identify the causes of distress or deterioration through in-situ and laboratory concrete investigations. At ACS, we can provide comprehensive diagnostic concrete testing services to assess the condition of your concrete structures. Our team utilises advanced techniques and equipment to accurately assess the sources of damage, informing effective repair strategies to ensure safety and longevity.
In-Situ Sampling & Testing includes:
- Cover meter (Hilti Ferroscan)
- Hilti PS 1000 x-scan
- Half-cell potential survey
- Resistivity survey
- Dust sampling
- Carbonation depth
- Delamination survey
- Surface hardness
- Ultrasonic pulse velocity
- Pull-off tests
- Crack measurement
Laboratory Testing Includes:
- Alkali content
- Cement content
- Chloride content
- Sulphate content
- Core compressive strength
- Determination of the presence of HAC (High Alumina Cement)
- Petrographic analysis
- Air content
- Water absorption
Construction Materials Testing & Investigations from ACS
Thorough assessments and investigations are essential for preserving and increasing the service life of concrete structures. Implementing the right fresh and in-place concrete testing strategy from the outset is fundamental to this process.
By leveraging the expertise of ACS’s skilled consultants and technicians, you can confidently maintain safety and quality, ensuring your structures stand the test of time. We’ve proudly supported a wide range of projects across the UK, including:
- West Park Multi-Story Car Park – Southampton
- Kelda Water Tower – St Athan
- Dell Quay – Chichester Harbour
- Seafront Holiday Inn – Brighton
The ACS team would be happy to discuss and assist with any construction materials testing and investigations you may need assistance with. Get in touch today!
Contact us for Concrete Testing Services
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you test concrete?
There are many methods of concrete testing to verify its quality, workability, and strength. On-site tests include the slump test for fresh concrete, as well as surface hardness, crack measurement, pull-off test, and other physical assessments of in-place, hardened concrete.
Laboratory tests include the compressive strength test, flexural test, permeability test, and many more. Laboratory analysis can also cover chemical content investigations, including chlorides, sulphates, and alkalis.
What is a slump test in concrete?
The concrete slump test is a method for determining the consistency of fresh concrete, specifically its workability and ease of flow. In this test, one-third of a clean cone is filled with concrete and compacted using a tamping rod. This is repeated for the following third, and again for the final third (all sections completed using concrete from the original sample).
Once the cone is full and excess is removed from the outside, the cone shell is lifted as vertically as possible. The concrete will then slump or subside, and the distance from the top of the slumped concrete can be compared to the top of the cone to measure the amount of change.
What is the acceptable slump for concrete?
Results from the concrete slump test are either zero slump, true slump, shear slump, or collapse slump. True slump is the ideal mixture, which sinks slightly but maintains its shape. Zero means the mix hasn’t moved and is too dry for construction, while collapse slump indicates the opposite.
What is concrete cube testing?
Concrete cube testing is a testing method carried out to assess the compressive strength of a concrete mix. First, fresh concrete is sampled, poured into a mould, and left to cure. Once cured, the cubes are tested using a compression machine that applies an increasing load until the sample cracks or crumbles. The results can then be compared to the compressive strength required for the proposed design to determine if the mix is suitable for its intended use.
When should you test the compressive strength of concrete?
The compressive strength test can be carried out on both fresh concrete mix (cube samples) and in-place concrete (core samples). The standard and widely accepted concrete material testing period for definitive strength measurement is 28 days, after which the samples will be placed into a compression machine and subjected to an increasing load until they break.
Please see below for a list of the services provided by ACS:
Geo-Environmental Consultancy
The ACS Geo-Environmental Consultancy Department has been operating as part of ACS for over 10 years.
On-Site Testing Services
ACS offers a comprehensive range of professional on-site testing, all carried out by our fully trained site technicians.
Aggregates and Soils Testing
From our main laboratory in Poole, Dorset, ACS provide quality testing and material consultancy for the construction and civil engineering industry.
Bituminous Testing
ACS carries out testing on new bituminous binder material and testing on hardened material for physical and chemical properties. Circa pre 1980’s Tar (Carcinogenic effects) was also used as a binder, ACS staff can sample and test materials to assess if Tar was used.
Concrete Testing
Concrete was the first service to be offered by ACS back in 1987. Since then, we have increased our scope to cover a wide range of UKAS Accredited testing methods on fresh and hardened concrete.
Mortar and Screed Testing
ACS can sample and test new and hardened mortar. Hardened mortar for mix proportions and constituents, new mortar for compressive and flexural strength.
Contamination and WAC Testing
At ACS we offer an efficient and reliable chemical analysis service for waste soils and construction materials using various test solids and leaching procedures specified by the Environment Agency.
Chemical Testing
The ACS chemical laboratory was established in 2007. It complements the physical materials testing service provided by ACS by offering a range of chemical analytical services.
Leachate and Water Analysis
Our purpose-built analytical laboratory enables ACS to provide a comprehensive sampling, monitoring and analysis service on a wide range of leachate and water samples.
Natural Stone Testing
Our newly refurbished stone testing laboratory has given us the opportunity to expand our testing scope. In addition, we have increased production and improved on our turnaround of samples.
Site Laboratory Services
Over the last 35 years, ACS have supplied custom fitted site laboratories with technicians to many construction sites and projects worldwide.
Persistent Organic Pollutants
Our experienced lab technicians can provide detailed and accurate analysis of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in almost any sample matrix in line with the Stockholm Convention.
Energy From Waste
Experts in Energy from Waste residues, ACS offers a full range of services, including gasification, pyrolysis, syngas and tar sampling, and analysis and interpretation of analytical results for IBA and APCr.
RoHS Compliance Testing
At ACS, we undertake rigorous RoHS compliance testing to identify and quantify any contaminants in your shredded waste, ensuring your product meets strict RoHS requirements.
Energy Supply, Generation & Regulation
Our highly skilled team provide industry-leading waste fuel testing services for RDF, SRF, MSW, and Solid Biomass, helping you save costs and meet compliance standards for total peace of mind.
CONTACT ONE OF THE TEAM
If you require a collection that is outside of our usual range, please feel free to call us on 01202 622858.
Or contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.