Structural Diagnostic
Structural Diagnostic
Pile Integrity
Pile integrity testing is carried out using the Pile Integrity Tester (PIT). This kind of testing is used to verify the presence of significant defects inside foundations, including breakages, significant size variations and cavities, before proceeding with construction above. It can also be used to test piles already integrated within the structure, like support foundations on bridges or towers, and to evaluate their length.
Ultrasound Tomography
Ultrasound tomography is a non-invasive technique for the investigation of high-thickness concrete elements, like tunnel cladding and post-compression sheaths, as well as the condition of reinforcement and stone structures. Tomography involves the reflection of short elastic impulses of waves (P or S), off cracks, cavities, reinforcements and other discontinuities and anomalies present in material. The advantage of this type of equipment is that 2D tomographies can be obtained along an orthogonal section of the surface of the product, even with structures accessible from one side only. By repeating the evaluation on a regular grill of points, a 3D model of the internal structure of the product under investigation can be obtained
Georadar Syrvey
Georadar, or GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) is a non-invasive system for surveying the subsoil, suitable for modest depths and based on the reflection of electromagnetic waves. This technique is mostly used in underground utility investigations, including manholes and pipes, for the identification and mapping of existing installations, the identification of the geometric structure of foundations, and the identification of masonry structures and cavities. Short electromagnetic impulses of varying frequencies are emitted, which upon meeting surfaces with different physical characteristics (different dielectric constant or electrical conductivity), are partly reflected (so they return to the receiving antenna) and partly transmitted in the subsoil. Maximum depth and the consequent degree of obtainable detail varies according to the frequency used. A low frequency enables information to be collected at grater depths, whereas high frequencies are desirable when aiming for better resolution for surface targets. The antenna is made to slide along a previously defined straight line (usually a rectangular grill is created), to obtain a real-time radargram in digital format on a PC monitor, which is successively elaborated and interpreted using specific software.
Ultrasound Test
The purpose of ultrasound testing is to determine the velocity of propagation of ultrasound through concrete, which is directly correlated with its resistance to compression. In ultrasound testing, the propagation time of elastic longitudinal waves between one or more couples of sampling points is measured to obtain information on the homogeneity of concrete. Equipment includes a generator/receiver of electric impulses, a transducer and a calibration bar with a known propagation time. Impulse speed can be measured directly (by positioning the transducer and receiver on opposite façades), semi-directly (positioning the transducer on a surface and the receiver on an adjacent side), or indirectly (positioning the transducer and receiver on the same surface). Reference standard: UNI EN 583-1/2004, UNI EN 12504-4/2005.
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We provide comprehensive assessments, for geological hazard assessments, geotechnical, material properties, stability of landslides and slopes, erosion, flooding, dewatering, and seismic investigations.
