| An important aspect
to value the effectiveness of a strengthening application
and the quality of the retrofit are semi- and non-destructive
tests that need to be realized both during the preliminary
steps and at the end of installation.
Since the first retrofit application, TEC.INN. S.r.l. has
always supported the importance of the aformentioned testing
campaigns in order to assure the client of the quality of
the intervention and at the same time its durability overtimes.
The recent publication of "Guide for the Design and Construction
of Externally Bonded FRP Systems for Strengthening Existing
Structures" (CNR-DT
200/2004) underlines the importance of non-destructive
tests and explains the number and the way tests have to be
realized for each m2 of application.
We can recognize:
In addition to NDT test, another very important type of
tests are diagnostic
static load tests. Such tests are usually performed before
and after the installation of FRP materials in order to quantify
experimentally the efficiency of the strengthened member.
Applying load in cycls, by using hydraulic jacks, positioned
in strategic locations, carefully chosen in order to simulate
real load cases, and monitoring real time deflections, strains
and other critical parameters, it is possible to evaluate
the performance of the structure before and after the application
by using well tested acceptance criteria.
TEC.INN. S.r.l. has recoursed both for NDT as well as for
cyclic load tests of the multidecennial experience maturated
by SGM
S.r.l. and other laboratories and research centers, public
and private, dissiminated on the national territory.
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