Concrete Testing Adelaide
Schmidt Rebound Hammer Testing • Concrete Moisture Testing • Non-Destructive Assessment • Detailed Reporting
Practical non-destructive concrete testing for commercial, industrial, civil and residential projects across Adelaide, regional and remote South Australia.
Non-Destructive Concrete Condition Testing
Scan Core S.A provides non-destructive concrete testing to help assess and compare the condition of existing concrete without extracting cores or damaging the structure. Testing can be carried out as a stand-alone service or combined with GPR concrete scanning to provide a broader picture of the concrete and its internal construction.
Our testing services focus on two practical assessment methods: Schmidt Rebound Hammer testing for indicative concrete surface hardness and compressive-strength correlation, and CMM testing for comparative surface and near-surface moisture conditions.
Schmidt Rebound Hammer Testing
The Schmidt Rebound Hammer is a widely used non-destructive method for assessing concrete surface hardness and estimating compressive strength through a correlation with the measured rebound value.
Scan Core uses the Proceq Original Schmidt Live. A spring-loaded mass impacts the concrete at a defined energy and the rebound is measured as an R-value. The result can then be interpreted using an appropriate conversion relationship to provide an indicative compressive-strength estimate.
Useful for
- Comparing concrete between different locations
- Identifying areas with different surface response
- Indicative assessment of concrete strength
- Checking uniformity across a slab or structure
- Supporting broader structural condition investigations
Important limitation
Schmidt Hammer results are indicative and should not be treated as equivalent to laboratory compressive-strength testing of extracted concrete cores. Results can be influenced by factors including surface condition, moisture, carbonation, aggregate, test orientation and local defects or delamination.
CMM Concrete Moisture Testing
Concrete moisture testing provides useful information about moisture conditions at the surface and near-surface region of a slab. Scan Core uses a non-destructive electronic CMM meter to obtain comparative moisture readings without drilling into the concrete.
This can be particularly useful when investigating existing slabs, comparing moisture conditions across different areas, documenting elevated readings, or adding moisture information to a broader concrete condition assessment.
Typical applications
- Comparative moisture mapping across concrete slabs
- Investigation of suspected damp or elevated-moisture areas
- Preliminary assessment prior to coatings or flooring
- Concrete condition surveys
- Supporting GPR and visual observations
Understanding the result
CMM readings provide an indication of moisture conditions within the instrument’s measurement region and should not be interpreted as a direct measurement of moisture throughout the full depth of a concrete slab. Where a specific flooring, adhesive or coating system is proposed, final suitability should be checked against the relevant manufacturer’s moisture requirements.
Combine Concrete Testing with GPR
One of the strengths of Scan Core’s service is the ability to combine different non-destructive investigation methods during the same site visit.
GPR can investigate
- Reinforcement configuration
- Concrete cover and depth relationships
- Slab thickness
- Multiple reinforcing layers
- Structural features and anomalous responses
Testing can add
- Indicative surface hardness and strength comparison
- Comparison between different concrete areas
- Surface and near-surface moisture information
- Additional data for concrete condition assessment
- Results that can be correlated with visual and GPR observations
The result is a more useful picture of the structure than relying on one test method alone.
Detailed Testing Reports
Testing results can be incorporated into a detailed Scan Core PDF report together with GPR findings, photographs and site observations. Reports can document test locations, Schmidt Hammer results, CMM readings, comparative observations and relevant testing limitations so the information can be reviewed by the wider project team.
Our current 18-page example report demonstrates exactly this approach, combining GPR reinforcement mapping with Schmidt Rebound Hammer testing, CMM moisture readings, site photography and a written condition summary.
Need Concrete Testing?
For Schmidt Hammer testing, concrete moisture testing, GPR scanning or a combined concrete investigation, contact Shane directly to discuss your project.
Scan Core S.A Pty Ltd • Adelaide & South Australia • Fully Insured • SWMS & JSA Compliant
