Concrete Testing Using Geotechnical Software

Concrete testing includes a variety of methods for testing concrete moisture, including both surface areas and the concrete within the depths of the slab. One commonly used method, though not covered in ICRI certification, is moisture meters which can be used for finding areas of higher surface moisture. This method, however, should not be used to obtain a quantitative value of the moisture or to indicate whether a slab is dry enough to start covering the floor, but mainly to show you where to begin. Once you've gotten a good reading, your geotechnical software can transmit the data directly through the lab, using a combination of mobile and online technology.

There are generally three moisture tests for concrete testing covered in ICRI certification. These include the calcium chloride test for moisture vapor emission rate of a slab, the surface relative humidity test, and the slab internal relative humidity test. It's essential that the building's environment remain consistent at least 48 hours prior to testing to allow the slab to reach a stable equilibrium with the ambient conditions of the building. The ideal temperature is right around what the plant emits during regular operation. This way the geotechnical software is fed more reliable data that can be transmitted back to the lab.

In concrete testing, the calcium chloride test measures the MVER of a slab, which essentially is the amount of H2O vapor emitting from the surface of the concrete. It's a popular test to determine if a floor is ready for floor coverings. Quite a few companies measure kits for this service, but it's best to use a testing kit that's compatible with geotechnical software so the data can be transferred instantly to the lab over the Internet. Unless of course, you'd like to relive 1985 and hit the payphone after lunchtime lugging a pocket full of quarters.

Each calcium chloride test is conducted using a small dish of dry bone calcium chloride that is then placed under a plastic dome to create a closed environment over the concrete. This is left on the surface for 60 to 72 hours. The CaCl then absorbs all moisture emitted from the concrete for accurate measurement. The MVER value can be expressed in the amount of water coming from the surface of 1000 square feet of area in 24 hours.

Once you've gotten accurate concrete testing data, the information is automatically cataloged by your geotechnical software and transferred electronically back to the lab. The concrete testing itself may be similar, but the transfer of data couldn't be simpler.

Saul Ellrod is the author of this article on geotechnical software and the process of concrete testing.

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What Is Circuit Breaker Testing and Why Is It Important?

Circuit breaker testing is key to insuring that a building's circuit breaker panel remains in working condition, not breaking circuits due to improper stimulus. Circuit breakers are often assumed to be faulty if they trip often, which is not always the case. There are, however, some classic signs that indicate a faulty breaker. They include:

1. Power not registering in the breaker, which often indicates a problem with the bus bar in the breaker panel.

2. The breaker being exposed to excessive heat or humidity, which often causes damage inside the breaker.

3. The breaker moves back and forth without sticking in an on or off position.

4. Signs of burning or overheating, such as black around the breaker area.

5. Signs of moderate to heavy corrosion on either side of the breaker.

How to Conduct Breaker Testing

Whether you observe one of the signs above or something else that you think signals a problem, a breaker test should be performed to determine if a problem is present. Below, we list some common tools for testing breakers and circuits:

Clamping Ammeter

A clamping ammeter is used to determine whether a circuit breaker is overloaded, thus causing it to switch off repeatedly. The ammeter is clamped to a single wire to determine overloads, check for shorts, and determine the amount of electricity running through the circuit.

Electromagnetic Circuit Finder

Electromagnetic circuit finders determine which breaker controls a certain circuit in the event that a breaker trips and disconnects all electricity. Higher end models used by electricians are more accurate than domestic grade models.

Electrostatic Wand

Also known as a volt stick, an electrostatic wand can indicate hot wires without directly contacting them. When a hot wire is detected, it triggers a light on the wand. Electrostatic wands should not be used close to the ground due to the potential for other wires to create a false reading.

Multimeter

As its name suggests, a multimeter combines two or more meter functions in one unit: the functions of a voltmeter and an ohmmeter. This allows a multimeter to measure the level of voltage in a circuit and measures the continuity and resistance level of the voltage.

Voltmeter

A voltmeter measures the voltage running through a circuit, which is done by touching one of the meter's prongs to each part of a circuit that needs measuring. Voltmeters are perhaps the most common domestic circuit measuring tool.

All of the tools listed above are valuable for testing circuits and breakers. But if you aren't experienced with circuit breakers, finding an answer to your circuit breaker issues is best left to the professionals, especially if you run a business whose operation has been compromised by electrical problems.

In my research on generator services and switch gear maintenance, I've also studied the best ways to test and repair circuit breakers.

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