Concrete was the first service to be offered by ACS Testing back in 1987. Since then, we have increased our scope to cover a wide range of UKAS accredited testing on fresh and hardened concrete, both on site and in our laboratories. Our tests are conducted to British or European standards.
ACS offer the most requested tests for physical and mechanical properties as well as bespoke testing as per our client’s requirements. Our experienced team would be happy to discuss any concrete testing projects you may need assistance with.
ACS Testing provide highly skilled technicians who all hold current CSCS cards and are comprehensively trained in the safety aspects of the work they carry out in accordance with appropriate method statements and risk assessments.
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world, composed of Portland cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cements, crushed rock or gravel, sand, and water. Chemical admixtures and other materials are often added to the mix to enhance the performance characteristics. It is commonly reinforced with steel rods (rebar) or wire screening (mesh).
Due to a constant increase in our Concrete testing demand, ACS recently expanded by acquiring and creating a purpose-built Concrete Laboratory next to our current Main Testing Laboratory. This is fully equipped with several compressive strength machines, concrete grinding apparatus, purpose built curing tanks with heat exchangers to maintain the required curing temperatures, overhead gantry crane for handling large numbers of test specimens and specific database with printing facilities direct onto hardened concrete test samples.
CONCRETE TESTS AVAILABLE
| Test | Method | What it shows |
| Sampling Fresh Concrete | BS EN 12350-1 | To ensure a representative sample of the fresh concrete is obtained |
| Determination of Slump | 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 |
| Compressive Strength of Concrete Cubes – 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 |
CONCRETE INVESTIGATION
Although well-designed reinforced concrete structures (a term which includes buildings, bridges, sea defences etc) generally show excellent durability, problems still arise from the corrosion of reinforcing steel in structures exposed to aggressive environments (eg motorway bridges, car parks and marine installations).
Furthermore, construction practice over the past few decades has left a legacy of existing structures with a range of defects that contribute to reinforcement corrosion. These are likely to require repair and remediation, or even replacement. Before undertaking any repairs to a reinforced concrete structure, it is essential to discover the causes of distress or deterioration.
IN-SITU & LABORATORY CONCRETE TESTS
An appropriate investigation and assessment strategy may be critical to the whole process of both maintaining and extending the residual service life of the structure. Our experienced team would be happy to discuss and assist with any concrete investigation projects you may need assistance with. Please see below for examples of projects we have completed:
- West Park Multi-Story Car Park – Southampton
- Kelda Water Tower – St Athan
- Dell Quay – Chichester Harbour
- Seafront Holiday Inn – Brighton
In-Situ Sampling & Testing includes:
- Cover meter (Hilti Ferroscan)
- Hilti PS 1000 x-scan
- Half Cell Potential Survey
- Resistivity Survey
- Dust Sampling
- Carbonation Depth
- Delaminatinon 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 Presence of HAC (High Alumina Cement)
- Petrographic Analysis
- Air Content
- Water Absorption
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.
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.