Structural Investigation

One of the fastest growing and most respected firms of its type, the team at Perry Testing have been providing structural investigation and testing services for over 20 years. From pull off testing and load testing to slip resistance testing and diamond drilling, our seasoned experts provide the time-sensitive, project-critical data you demand.

Using cutting edge techniques and technology, we measure, investigate and analyse your structures, locating defects and providing detailed reports on areas of concern. Where possible, we also provide guidance and recommendations as to potential solutions.

Operating throughout the UK, we work for a truly diverse range of clients. From large multi-nationals and developers to architects and structural engineers, our clients benefit greatly from the experience, speed and flexibility of our structural investigation team.

So, whether you’re looking to alter an existing structure or assess the strength or performance of a particular component, our team of highly-qualified structural investigation engineers should be your first port of call.

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The best way to contact us about our Structural Investigation services is directly through our website. Just leave us your details and a quick overview of what you need, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.






    Why choose Perry Testing?

    Time served professionals

    Every one of our engineers and technicians has at least 10 years' experience in structural investigation, scanning and materials testing.

    Easy-to-read, concise reports

    Our beautifully formatted reports are delivered promptly whilst getting straight to the point, providing the data you need direct to your inbox.

    Professional, friendly staff

    We take pride in the professionalism and attitude of our staff. From first contact to reporting, we'll treat you as we'd like to be treated ourselves.

    Proven track record

    Every year, we complete hundreds of projects for a truly loyal client base, firms that return time after time, confident in the service they'll receive.

    Nationwide service

    Our teams travel the length and breadth of the UK, delivering structural investigation and testing services on a truly diverse range of sites.

    Reduced risk and costs

    Using the very latest technology and techniques, we help reduce unexpected costs, keeping your team, project and organisation safe in the process.

    Pendulum Slip Resistance Testing

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    Often overlooked by developers and property owners alike, the friction of your floor (or how slippery it is) is absolutely critical, especially when it comes to public or commercial buildings.

    In the words of the Health and Safety Executive, “there is a level of friction below which people tend to slip over”. Fall below this level and you could be inadvertently encouraging people to fall, potentially leading to injuries, financial/insurance claims and even investigation by the relevant authorities.

    The Pendulum Slip Resistance Test is the HSE’s preferred method of assessing the slip resistance of flooring. This is thanks to its portability and thus its ability to be used in the exact conditions that could result in slip accidents.

    It measures the dynamic coefficient of friction (CoF) and, in simple terms, simulates the effect of a member of the public placing their heel on the ground whilst walking.

    Screed Soundness Testing

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    First developed by the British Research Establishment – or BRE – in the 1970s, the BRE Screed Test is now widely accepted as being the default, ‘go to’ test for measuring the soundness of a sand and cement floor screed. To put things simply, however, it’s designed to calculate whether a screed is capable of taking the loads and level of traffic for which it was intended.

    Able to be used just 14 days after the screed has been laid, this test can help advise as to whether any remedial measures may be required due to issues with the mix or compaction etc.

    The BRE screed testing offered by Perry Testing is carried out in accordance with British Standard BS8204 with the BRE screed test itself now forming part of the BS Code of Practices for the measurement of screed soundness.

    In terms of methodology, either a 2Kg or 4Kg weight (attached to a 1m long guide) is dropped four times onto the screed with the indentation made in the concrete then being measured. We can interpret the results, considering the class of screed, whilst highlighting any suspect areas. Any problematic areas found following the BRE screed test may either be remediated or prompt further testing to be carried out.

    Relative Humidity Testing

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    Whilst your concrete slab may appear completely dry, that may not always be the case with significant amounts of water potentially still being present within the concrete (relative humidity). There are a variety of factors the can affect the level of relative humidity within concrete with RH sometimes remaining an issue for many months after pouring.

    What’s more, recently laid concrete slabs typically contain higher levels of relative humidity the further down you go. It’s essential, therefore, that testing is carried out throughout the slab, not merely towards the surface.

    Lay flooring on top of the slab before it’s had chance to properly dry out, however, and that water will try to escape, having potentially disastrous effects upon your chosen flooring.

    Our team of concrete specialists will assess your slab, measuring the level of relative humidity within and determining whether it has reached a safe and acceptable level. In doing so, we can save you significant amounts of both time and money that may otherwise have been spent on the installation of a damp proof membrane.

    Load Testing

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    With over 20 years’ experience, our team of structural investigation engineers are ideally placed to carry out in-depth load testing on a variety of structural elements.

    Structural load testing could be required for a number of reasons. A change of use could be proposed for the building, requiring the addition of supplementary floor or perhaps heavy plant. Alternatively, there could be a need to prove performance for verification reasons or even strength following a fire.

    Such testing is a widely accepted method of proving a building’s (or an individual component’s) ability to take a specific load. Such components could include…

    • Slabs
    • Balconies
    • Balustrades
    • Lifts
    • Lifting beams and more.

    Perry Testing will apply the test load your projects demand using hydraulic rams or test weights, continuously monitoring deflection over a specified time period before issuing a report containing our findings.

    Pull Out and Pull Off Testing

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    With over 20 years’ experience, our expert team specialise in carrying out tensile and shear tests on a variety of structural fixings attached to/inserted into walls, beams and more. We can tensile test rebar, threaded bar and the majority of structural fixings including…

    • Eye bolts
    • Stud anchors
    • Anchor bolts
    • Resin bolts and more.

    Carried out to British Standard BS 8539, our pull out testing services can help identify damage to concrete structures or fixings, helping you to avoid potentially dangerous and concrete failures. They can also be used to test the ability of a fixing to take a specific load and are often referred to as a shear test or a tensile load test of structural fixings.

    When it comes to pull off tests, however, these are used to assess the tensile bond between two surfaces or materials, examples being two layers of sprayed concrete or render coatings.

    Pull off testing involves a stud being affixed to the material that requires testing. The stud is attached using an adhesive that must be stronger than the bond strength to be tested. In most cases, mechanical equipment will be used but, where greater levels of accuracy are required, more advanced, automated tools may be more appropriate.

    Schmidt Hammer Surveys

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    The Schmidt hammer – or rebound hammer – is a mechanical, spring-loaded tool that, when used on concrete, provides a value that can be compared against a table, this value corresponding to a known compressive strength figure.

    Widely believed to be one of the best methods of accurately assessing the compressive strength of concrete, a Schmidt hammer survey helps us identify known areas of high quality concrete. Comparing other areas against these, we can then pinpoint potentially problematic areas of concrete.

    By using a Schmidt hammer, our expert team can quickly and accurately identify areas of poor quality concrete, giving you the information you need to make a properly informed decision.

    Diamond Drilling and Dust Sampling

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    Diamond drilling or coring is ideal for creating super clean, precision holes in concrete in order to extract cores for testing at one of our UKAS accredited laboratories.

    Not only is the structural integrity of the material preserved throughout due to its non-percussive nature, thanks to the water used during coring, the entire process is dust-free.

    Being quiet, light and easily transportable, the diamond drilling of concrete and other materials can take place almost anywhere, even in particularly tight spaces or those still occupied by the public.

    Concrete Assessment Surveys

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    The suitability of reinforced concrete for construction or other purposes depends upon a combination of factors including – but not limited to – the quality of the mix, chloride ion content, cover depth and more.

    Over and above the tests discussed above, therefore, our specialists can carry out a wide selection of in-situ testing on concrete structures. Vital for accurately assessing both the durability and condition of structural concrete, these tests can be the difference between a project being viable and not.

    • Carbonation testing
    • Cement content testing
    • Chloride testing
    • Alkali-silica reaction testing (ASR)
    • Sulphate testing
    • Testing for the presence of HAC
    • Concrete resistivity testing

    Looking for advice on structural investigation?

    Want to learn more about structural investigation? Need a quotation? Get in touch! A member of our team will be only too happy to help!