Performing a Condition Assessment of Support Beams for Industrial Facility

Summary

NDT Corporation was contracted after a client identified failures in support beams while attempting to mount industrial equipment. With concerns around the quality of construction, NDT Corporation visited the site to help the client determine the quality of construction of the support columns and to assist with structural analysis of this facility.

Scope

The client selected the beams they were most concerned with to be tested. NDT conducted Sonic/Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing to look for areas of poor-quality concrete. Along side the Sonic/Ultrasonic testing, GPR data was collected in small grid patterns on each beam.

Conducting pulse velocity (PV) testing.

Collecting GPR data.

Solution

From the Sonic/Ultrasonic testing NDT was able to determine the average in-situ compressive strength (PSI) values of the beam concrete and identify any internal areas with air voids/honeycombing that are not visible. GPR data was used to determine the depth of cover over the reinforcing bars and identify areas that the reinforcing cover did not meet specifications. This information was compiled into a report and sent to the client to aid them in their plan to repair the support beams.