No damage to the structure
Most tests leave the bridge untouched.
Non-Destructive Testing
Non-Destructive Testing / Evaluation of Bridges
Assessment of bridge concrete and reinforcement condition without damaging the structure.
Overview
NDT/NDE methods are used to assess concrete quality and reinforcement condition in existing bridges without demolition. The findings help prioritise repairs and plan more detailed investigation where needed.
Non-destructive testing assesses the concrete and reinforcement of a bridge without cutting into it. A combination of methods builds a fuller picture of strength, cover, corrosion risk and hidden defects than any single test.
- Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)
- Rebound hammer and rebar locator
- Concrete core and carbonation tests
- Ground-penetrating radar
Key Benefits
Combined methods
Cross-checking several techniques improves confidence in the findings.
Targets repair spending
Points to where work is really needed.
Baseline for future comparison
Findings can be repeated over the years to track deterioration.
Where It Is Used
- Ageing concrete bridges
- Assessment before rehabilitation or strengthening
- Investigating cracking or corrosion
- Quality checks on new construction
How We Work
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1
Visual survey
Record visible defects and choose test locations.
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2
Field testing
Rebound hammer, ultrasonic pulse velocity, cover meter and radar as needed.
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3
Limited sampling
Take cores or carbonation checks where needed to calibrate the results.
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4
Evaluate and report
Interpret the results and recommend follow-up action.
What You Receive
- Test location plan
- Recorded test data
- Condition assessment
- Repair-priority recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NDT give concrete strength?
Rebound and ultrasonic methods give indicative values that are best correlated with a few cores.
Can testing be done under traffic?
Many tests can be done from underneath or with lane closures kept short.
Have an infrastructure testing or monitoring requirement?
Tell us about your project — our engineering team will follow up on scope, instrumentation and approach.