Full Range of Petrography Test Now Readily within Reach

Petrography is a distinct branch of petrology, which focuses on detailed study and analysis of rocks. This subject precisely deals with the relationship between mineral content and textural relationships existing within rocks. A person who studies this relationship is referred to as petrographer. On the other hand, classification of rocks is done based on their petrographic analysis. A detailed study invariably involves field notes and macro description of specimens. To conduct this detailed study, petrographers depend largely on petrographic microscope.

Performing this special kind of rock study becomes necessary on instances like premature failing of a concrete structure. Even in cases of other problems cropping up a construction project site the test is conducted. A thorough petrographic study helps determining cause of the problem. The study is also performed to determine whether a concrete structure can be rehabilitated or requires replacement.

Common cases in which petrographic examination is conducted include surface scaling, plastic shrinkage cracking, reinforcement steel corrosion, improper set time, dusting, discoloration, surface scaling, structural cracking, dusting, drying shrinkage cracking, acid or sulphate attack and others.

Study of petrography provides information on contrasting aspects like fine & coarse aggregates, cement paste, air void system and condition of wearing surface concrete, etc. To conduct this test there has to be a proficient team of highly trained experts. Firms that provide this specialized service employ proficient engineers and scientists to deliver state-of-the-art service. As such, a host of competent agencies has emerged lately across Singapore, catering to this sector. The range of players is efficiently catering to an ever increasing customer base covering a vast geographical region on earth. Providing dependable service at reasonable cost is the key to success for these agencies.

The range of specialized service providers not only invests on hiring expert professionals but allocates huge funds on procuring impressive tools and gadgets based on the latest version of technology. These agencies are adequately equipped to conduct the full range of petrographic tests including BS 812 – Pt 104, BS 7943, BS EN 932 – 3, SS EN 12620, ASTM C295 for concrete aggregates, and ASTM C856 for hardened concrete.

Importance of Correct Proportion in Concrete Pastes

Concrete is widely used in the construction industry. To put it simply, it is a mixture of paste and aggregates. The paste is composed of cement and water and the aggregates used could both be fine and coarse or large in dimension. A chemical process called hydration helps the paste to harden and gain strength to metamorphose into a rock-like mass called concrete in course of time. Initially, that is when it is newly mixed the paste remains soft and malleable. Gradually, as it dries up it gets hardened and becomes immensely strong and durable. It is because of this peculiar property, it is conveniently used to construct bridges, skyscrapers, sidewalks, houses, dams and superhighways, etc.

Interestingly, concretes can exhibit different properties depending on its compositions. Mixing water to cement, chemical admixtures and aggregates leads to primary construction materials for buildings. These concrete and cement standards allow laboratories all over the world to conduct testing and evaluation of the concrete mixtures to verify their strength and safety. As such, cement aggregate concrete testing is a common phenomenon practiced across the construction industry.

The testing and evaluation procedure mentioned above proves helpful to identify various properties of concrete like strength, elasticity, hardness and functionality. Any seasoned professional involved with the building and construction industry knows the importance of right proportion for a concrete paste. A mixture that lacks enough paste to fill the voids between the aggregates proves difficult to place and comes up with rough surface and porous concrete. On the other hand, mixture having excess of cement paste is easy to place and comes up with smooth surface. However, it proves to be more costly and is prone to get cracked.

Thanks to the dedicated effort of construction materials testing company in Singapore, task has become less cumbersome and less complicated for project owners, contractors and technical experts associated to construction business. These testing entities depend largely on latest scientific breakthroughs and usually employ a string of scientists, engineers and other trained experts. These players undoubtedly provide impressive quality of service at much reasonable price.