Core Extraction & Laboratory Testing
NATA-Certified Material Characterisation
Overview
Core extraction is the definitive method for determining actual material properties of existing concrete. SiteOps extracts cylindrical samples using diamond-tipped coring equipment and submits them to NATA-certified laboratories for analysis.
The results — compressive strength, density, chloride content, carbonation depth, petrographic composition — provide the measured data underpinning every structural calculation and remediation design.
SiteOps uses GPR and Ferroscan scanning at every proposed core location to confirm safe clearance before drilling. Core locations are selected based on investigation objectives, guided by NDT results to minimise the number of cores required.
Compressive strength testing to AS 1012.9, carbonation depth, chloride ion profiling to AS 1012.20, and petrographic analysis provide comprehensive material characterisation.
Applications
Compressive Strength
NATA-certified testing to AS 1012.9 for structural capacity calculations.
Chloride Profiling
Incremental sampling for corrosion risk assessment in marine environments.
Carbonation Depth
Phenolphthalein indicator testing to determine the neutralised zone.
Petrographic Analysis
Thin-section microscopy revealing internal concrete condition.
Density & Absorption
Measuring concrete density and water absorption characteristics.
Technical specifications
| Core Diameter | 50mm, 75mm, or 100mm |
|---|---|
| Strength Testing | AS 1012.9, uniaxial compressive |
| Chloride Testing | AS 1012.20 / ASTM C1152 |
| Carbonation | Phenolphthalein per RILEM CPC-18 |
| Petrographic | ASTM C856, thin-section microscopy |
| Laboratory | NATA-accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) |
Related technologies
Related services
FAQ
Common questions
How many cores are needed?+
Depends on structure size and variability. Typically 6–15 cores guided by prior NDT screening. Minimum three per assessment zone.
Does coring damage the structure?+
Coring creates a 75mm hole that is repaired with structural grout immediately. Impact is negligible when correctly located.
Deploy Core on your asset
Share drawings, exposure conditions, and programme constraints — we will propose an investigation scope aligned to Australian standards and your risk profile.
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