SERVICES

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Freshly Mixed Concrete Sampling: intended to provide standard requirements and procedures for sampling freshly mixed concrete used for slump, temperature, air and strength tests.

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Hardened Concrete Tests: tests on hardened concrete is done to ensure the design strength of concrete and quality of construction is achieved.

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1.    Concrete core test: cylindrical cores are extracted from the finished structure with a rotary cutting tool. The core is soaked, capped and tested in compression to give a measure of the concrete strength in the actual structure. The ratio of core height to diameter and the location where the core is taken affect the strength. The strength is lowest at the top surface and increases with depth through the element. A ratio of core height-to-diameter of 2 gives a standard cylinder test.

2.    Rebound hammer (hardness) test: the Schmidt hammer is used in the rebound hardness test in which a metal hammer held against the concrete is struck by another spring-driven metal mass and rebounds. The amount of rebound is recorded on a scale and this gives an indication of the concrete strength. The larger the rebound number is, the higher is the concrete strength.

3.    Penetration Resistance: with a Windsor Probe Test System to perform this task according with ASTM C803 – Standard Test Method for Penetration Resistance of Hardened Concrete.

4.    Vapor Emission Test: method to obtain a quantitative value, indicating the rate of moisture vapor emission at the time of the test from a concrete floor, and whether or not that floor is acceptable to receive resilient floor covering.

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CONDITION SURVEY AT BRIDGE DECKS & GENERAL STRUCTURES

1.    Concrete Delamination Determination by sounding the concrete with a hammer or chain link sweeper. Listening for the characteristics hollow sound produced by dragging a chain or hammer striking will detect hide damaged areas. The Damage to the concrete is initially observed as rust stains and small cracks. Typically, the cracks in the concrete run parallel to the reinforcing steel.

2.    Determination of Size of the Reinforcement and Concrete Cover by the use of Non-Destructive Technique of an  X-Scan PS1000 GPR

3.    Corrosion Survey in accordance with ASTM C876: Standard Test Method for Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete. Used extensively in USA to determine corrosion activity of steel-in concrete in structures affected by salts, moisture and other corrosion inducing materials. Its use has been proven effective in the detection of corrosion activity and is widely used by the Federal Highway Administration.

4.    Chloride Ion Content Determination in accordance with ASTM C1218: Standard Test Method for Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete. Chlorides in concrete induce corrosion on steel reinforcement, causing concrete to crack and spalls, and affect the repair selection and procedures.

5.    PH Content Determination. When pH of the concrete is depressed below 10 due to chloride and carbonation, the vulnerability of the steel to corrosion increases. 6.    Carbonation Content Determination by the use of Phenolphthalein Solution. The normal protection against corrosion provided by concrete is lost as result of the carbonation. If concrete alkalinity is reduced and moisture and oxygen are present corrosion of steel reinforcement will occur.

7.    Pull-out Tests in accordance with ASTM C900: Standard Test Method for Pullout Strength of Hardened Concrete. The measured pullout strength of concrete is indicative of the strength of concrete. For typical surface installations, pullout strengths are indicative of the quality of the outer zone of concrete members and can be benefit in evaluating the cover zone of reinforced concrete members.

8.    Penetration Resistance: with a Windsor Probe Test System to perform this task according with ASTM C803 – Standard Test Method for Penetration Resistance of Hardened Concrete.

9.    Hardened Concrete Cores Extraction (2”Φ) and Compressive Strength Determination in accordance with ASTM C42 and ASTM C39

10.     Deflection Assessment and Load Test – Measurement of actual deflection of the elements of the bridge. Determination of elevation and location of maximum vertical displacements. Several ways to performed the assessment. Survey of actual conditions or located displacements using a digital profile over the element. Field load test on bridge deck can be used to determine its behavior under service load.

11.    Vibration Monitoring: Energy from construction activities is transmitted into the ground and radiates out from the source of the energy in the form of stress waves.  These waves move through the ground similarly to how waves move through a body of water.  The potential effects from vibrations produced by the stress waves moving through the ground can include damage to structures, settlement of loose soils, liquefaction of sensitive soils, interference with sensitive equipment/processes, and even annoyance of people.  The combined effect of topography and underlying geology results in a unique vibration pattern at every site.

12.    Crack Assessment: Measurements of crack width at several locations at the structural elements. Monitoring crack movement to determine if crack is in active or passive state. Mapping of cracks to determine structural movements or deficiencies.

13.    Backfilling of Drilled Holes: holes and/or investigated areas will be backfilled with cementitious High Strength non-shrink ProSpec Vinyl Concrete Patch and epoxy Sikadur-32 or similar. 

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SOILS & ASPHALT TESTING AND MONITORING SERVICES

1.    Earthwork Surveillance: Earthwork Monitoring/Field observation comprises the second phase of a complete geoprofessional service, permitting the Geotechnical Engineer to observe excavations and thereby assess the reliability of the subsurface profile and the appropriateness of the geotechnical recommendations provided in the geotechnical engineering report of the project.  The Client must understand that the field technician IS NOT an engineer, but works under the direction and supervision of the SPEC GROUP Project Engineer, reporting to the Resident Engineer/Inspector of the project items on non-compliance, who shall verify that the work performed by the earthwork contractor is in accordance to the project requirements (plans and specifications). 

2.    Various Foundation Monitoring: resident technician to perform monitoring on the installation of geopiers, steel piles, helical piles, auger piles, cast in place piles, etc. 

3.    Laboratory Tests: classification and index tests of soils, Atterberg limits, visual-manual description, organic content, moisture content, sieve analysis, soil compaction curves (Proctor), CBR, hydrometer, specific gravity, electrical and hydraulic resistivity, permeability of soils, pH and chloride content, sand equivalent, soundness, flat and elongated particles, asphalt content etc. 

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OTHER INSPECTIONSERVICES

1.     Fire Proofing (SFRM): inspection of sprayed-on fire resistive material, including density, thickness and pullout strength.

2.     Fire Stopping: visual inspection of the fire stopping systems.

3.     Coefficient of Friction: testing of surfaces in situ and in laboratory.

4.     General Structure Inspection: SPEC GROUP, PSC may provide a full time technician to verify Steel Concrete Reinforcement Placement, Concrete Formwork, Field Assembly and Steel Decking to verify its compliance with the details provided. This technician will be assisted by one of SPEC GROUP, PSC engineers periodically in such activities.