Scope
FPrimeC Solutions Inc. has been engaged by Glencore Integrated Nickel to perform inspection and non-destructive evaluation – NDE of concrete foundation – smelter foundations in Sudbury, ON. The concrete foundations showed sign of minor cracks. The main objective of the project was to evaluate the present condition of the concrete concrete foundation. The non-destructive evaluation was performed at several foundation piers for Furnace I and II.
The Solution
1- Visual Inspection
Visual condition of concrete was performed at select locations on the exposed faces of the foundation piers, where safe access was possible. A light metal hammer was used to assess potential delamination and major integrity issues on the surface.
2- Non-destructive Evaluation of Concrete Foundation Piers
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was used to identify the location, and distribution of steel bars. Where applicable, GPR maps were calibrated to estimate the depth of steel bars. GPR line scan was used to locate vertical and horizontal reinforcement in the concrete foundation piers.
A combination of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), and Rebound (Schmidt) Hammer tests was used to assess quality and uniformity of concrete. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) was used to verify the pulse velocity in concrete, and assess concrete quality and uniformity at select areas. Rebound Hammer test was used to assess uniformity and surface hardness of the concrete.
