Petrographic Test and Analysis

Petrographic tests and analyzes are performed to provide appropriate information about the concrete and steel materials of the structure. With this method, optical and microstructural properties of materials are examined and evaluated. Briefly, petrographic analyzes are performed to evaluate the integrity of concrete, mortar, building stone and other geological materials and to understand the mineralogy of the materials.

As a result of petrographic analysis, information is obtained about whether the materials used are suitable for the design of the concrete mixture, whether the air content is compressed and porous, whether there is a trace of harmful degradation of the concrete or the geological origin of the stone.

The main standards based on petrographic analysis are:

• ASTM C856 / C856M-20 Standard practice for petrographic examination of hardened concrete. With this method, cement hydration degree, micro cracking, reaction products, fragmentation of aggregate and poor freeze-thaw performance of aggregate are determined by optical and scanning electron microscopy of aggregate on a prepared concrete sample. A mineralogical assessment of the aggregate is also done to see if the appropriate aggregate has been used and if it has caused any harmful reactions.
• ASTM C457 / C457M-16 Standard test method for the microscopic determination of air void system parameters in hardened concrete. These analyzes are performed on core sections using state-of-the-art image analysis software. This analysis gives detailed information about the relative composition and distribution of coarse and fine aggregate, cement paste, and entrapped air.
• Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. This method is applied to identify contaminants and verify the composition of binders, epoxies, coatings and other organic materials.
• EN 12407 Natural stone test methods - Petrographic examination. This method allows microscopic examination of macro and micro samples and identification of rock types according to recognized standards and terminology.
• EN 14618 Agglomerated stone - Terminology and classification. This standard provides standard tools for identifying agglomerated stone. These are products in which rock chips are combined to form a solid block and then cut and polished as if it were natural stone.
• EN 12057 Natural stone products - Modular tiles - requirements. This method enables the evaluation and identification of the properties of natural stone tiles using microscopic examination.

Our organization also provides petrographic testing and analysis services with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.