Wentworth House Technical Services Capability Statement 2024

Structural Testing, Inspection, Strengthening and Repair

Wentworth House Technical Services is the operational engineering division within Wentworth House Partnership.

Wentworth House Technical Services (WHTS) has been launched to cater for an ever-growing industry need to deliver a more sustainable circular economy-led approach to the safe re-use or extension of life of buildings and infrastructure.

Specialist teams provide a wide range of testing and analysis of the integrity of materials in existing steel and concrete structures. In doing this, we can overcome the challenges faced by developers and constructors when presented with incomplete and imperfect structural data to facilitate re-use, caused by modification and information loss over a building’s history.

The comprehensive technical offering includes a complementary range of services to enable structural re-use of a wide range of building types across built environment and infrastructure sectors. Technical services cover:

– Structural surveys and investigations

– Structural testing and material sampling

– Structural strengthening and protection

– Design support for these activities

– Monitoring of structures

This new division sits within the existing Wentworth House Partnership business to offer these services as a valuable part of a wider range of engineering design activities. Our dedicated team of technical professionals has the ability to produce bespoke solutions to complex problems and solve the specific engineering challenges that have prevented the widespread uptake of building and infrastructure remodelling in the past.

WHTS can enable our clients to extend the life or re-use of existing buildings and structures, which would otherwise be destined for demolition. These specialist services provide an integrated offering that can deliver an incremental development as the investigations and design develop, an integrated end-toend transformation, and bespoke technical solutions to structural crisis situations.

As well as providing specialist services to assist in the re-use of structures, WHTS can offer these services to a broad range of construction, demolition, refurbishment, and major civils projects.

1. Survey and investigation

1. Survey and investigation

These activities are led by the need to inform – the purpose of the investigation is to increase the confidence and knowledge of the existing structural form. All too often investigations are not informed by the early definition of the required information. Our experienced investigation teams work with designers to understand the gaps in the existing information and to develop appropriate and targeted survey works.

Cutting edge scanning and measurement, including drone capability for dimensional surveys.

Intrusive and non-intrusive section investigation and scanning –GPR, rebar scanning, steel section identification.

Intrusive investigation – openingup and materials sampling, core drilling of structures, cold cutting of metallic elements. Recording of existing connections and details.

We can carry out investigations to post tensioned structures to identify any potential issues, such as corrosion or loss of pre-stress, that could compromise the structure’s safety and performance. These inspections can include location of tendons by nondestructive methods, such as ferroscanning, ground-penetrating radar and ultrasonic testing, followed by careful exposure of tendons / strands and anchorages to confirm current condition, and presence or otherwise of grout for bonded systems. We can assess the level of pre-stress in tensioned strand or bar, and then provide analysis to determine any potential reduction in capacity of the various elements. This allows us to take corrective action if necessary, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the structure.

Materials sampling – extracting properly dimensioned materials sample for laboratory testing and preserving these appropriately until testing. Dust sampling for assessment of cement/chloride/sulphate content of concrete structures.

WHTS can manage and carry out all these works, working alongside our clients, main contractors and designers to ensure all relevant parties are kept informed of progress and results. All findings are presented in a full and detailed report, along with photos, drawings, videos and laboratory results.

– GPR & Ferro scanning

– Crack detection

– Rebound Hammer Tests

– Borescope inspections

– Moisture content surveys

– Carbonation and PH testing

– Half Cell Potential testing –for corrosion

2. Structural testing 2. Structural testing

Structural testing forms a key part of our industry. WHTS can implement full and partial testing to determine the behaviour of structures and structural elements. We can test to determine loading at a serviceability level or take an element to failure to inform the behaviour of the remaining structure.

2.1 Load Capacity testing

WHTS are experts in load capacity testing. There are different load test methods which could be implemented depending on requirements. Generally, we carry out a slab load test to determine one of the following:

– Testing a slab to verify for safe use of demolition machinery

– Testing to verify change of use / change of load rating for a slab

– Testing a specific area for additional load from plant

– Load tests on ground bearing slabs, warehouse slabs to verify for mezzanine loads or additional loads

We have developed a range of test methods to suit all these types of scenarios.

The benefits of load testing can include:

– Physical testing can achieve higher load rating than design calculations

– Verify safe use of existing and unknown structures

– Target specific areas –stockpiling, processing areas, loading bays, lift beams, balconies

– Remove or reduce the need for propping and temporary works

– Provide factual loading information for designers and for change of use of buildings

– We can also design and install strengthening solutions if required

2.2 Anchor and Fixing tests

WHTS can test all types of fixings and anchors on site, in both tensile load (pull-out) and shear load. With a range of equipment to test small screws with kg loads, up to high-tonnage loads on holding down bolts. WHTS can supply and install test fixings if required. We are an Associate Member of the Construction Fixings Association and all our technicians are CFA accredited.

– Tensile load and shear load tests on all sizes and types of fixings

– Small screws with kg loads upto high-tonnage loads on holding down bolts

– Proof load tests to check the quality of installation

– Series of tests to determine the allowable resistance of the base material

– All tests carried out in line with BS8539:2012 and CFA Guidance Note 2023

Types of fixings that can be tested:

– Threaded bar

– Chemical anchors

– Mechanical anchors

– Cast in anchors

– Brackets and support fixtures

– Scaffold ties

– Holding down bolts

2.4 Lift Beam testing

Runway beams and lifting systems require testing for certification. WHTS have the expertise and capabilities to carry out these works.

We test beams of all forms and sizes for safe working load capacity in accordance with BS 2853 ‘Specification for the testing of steel overhead runway beams for hoist blocks’ and LOLER.

We can test and mark lifting eyes and runways beams, with the safe working load along with accompanying certification for all equipment which passes tests. Any component which doesn’t pass is marked and we assist with safe practices for quarantine and rectifications.

Beam load testing we offer includes:

– Lift shaft beams

– Lifting beams

– Runway beams

– Gantry cranes

– Jibs and davits

2.5 Geotechnical testing

WHTS can provide a range of geotechnical testing on soils, subgrades and other materials.

All in-situ testing is carried out in accordance with BS 1377-9:1990

These includes Plate Bearing tests, Light Drop-Weight tests, Shear Vane tests and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer tests.

This type of testing can be used for verifying piling mats, determine CBR values and establishing the ground bearing capacity of soils and clay's prior to bringing in heavy equipment or handing over a site.

This provides our clients with certification that the ground being tested is suitable for its purpose.

To provide our clients with the most accurate and reliable data, we use the latest high quality test equipment. We can provide a fast and accurate measurement of CBR values which are critical to ensure the quality of material on site is as intended.

In-situ geotechnical tests can be used to establish the information needed to design earthworks and foundations for proposed structures.

By testing and checking ground condition in this manner it can for part of a robust quality assurance scheme for contractors handing over a site to a new client.

3. Hydraulic solutions 3. Hydraulic solutions

WHTS will also provide specialist hydraulic services for pre-loading and load transfer applications such as bridge jacking, stressing of crane grillages, temporary works preloading, flat-jacking / load transfer between old and new structures. In all of these applications we provide full as-built records of loads and movements linked back to calibration records. We can assist with:

– Jacking solutions with synchronously controlled lifting and associated displacement monitoring

– Preloading to temporary works for load transfer

– Flat jacks for temporary or permanent loading (direct inflation or transfusion)

– Bar/strand stressing

Bolt tensioning / torque loading

Bespoke lifting/lowering solutions

4. Structural repair and strengthening 4. Structural repair and strengthening

We have an established team of specialists who work with the leading materials suppliers to provide innovative design led solutions to damaged or deficient structures. This can include external or internal strengthening with fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) or metallic materials along with associated enhancement to durability. We have a strong history of completing complex strengthening tasks in awkward and critical environments.

Our knowledge and understanding of post tensioned structures can assist in the formation of new penetrations through PT elements, via the provision of remedial epoxy anchorages prior to element cutting. This operation is often undertaken in conjunction with CFRP / punching shear strengthening due to changes in the structural performance of the element after formation of the penetration.

WHTS can assist in assessment, design and installation of strengthening solutions to cater for:

– Increased loads due to change of use / additional structure

– New penetrations through existing slabs e.g. lifts, stairs, escalators

– Design/construction errors post build

– FRP plate / wrap solutions for flexure / shear / axial enhancement

– Column encasement / additional steelwork / highperformance concrete

– Post-tensioned solutions e.g. silos

– Structural alterations, e.g. installation of penetrations

5.

Design support

5.

Design support

Through our Wentworth House engineering practice, we have wide experience of the design works associated with the assessment of existing structures and the testing that goes with them. In addition, we have established design experience in the strengthening of structures using a variety of techniques.

6. Monitoring of structures

6. Monitoring of structures

We are aware that the world of monitoring is evolving fast with remote and automatic sensing replacing the traditional instrumentation approaches. We use networks of intelligent sensors linked to cloudbased platforms that enable real time review and assessment of the current state of the structure. This ranges from tilt meters on retained façades to embedded sensors measuring concrete maturity. We are working on developing our tools in this arena to ensure that we remain at the leading edge of technology. This includes the development of intelligent reactive structural components to mitigate the effects of environmental change on the performance of support systems.

TO SUMMARISE OUR SERVICES

WHTS can provide expertise in the following areas:

Structural investigation

– GPR and Ferro scanning

– Non-destructive testing

– Structural surveys and investigation

– Material sampling and testing

– Borescope inspections

– Monitoring and instrumentation

Structural testing – Slab load capacity tests

Anchor and fixings tests (pull out and shear)

– Plate bearing tests

– Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) tests

– Lightweight Deflectometer tests (LWD)

– Hand-shear vane tests

– Balcony and barrier tests

– Preloading of bolts and crane grillages

– Pile integrity testing

Structural remediation

CFRP strengthening

Concrete repair

Precision grouting – Corrosion control

– Injection waterproofing

Structural crack injection – Temporary works install and inspections

Jacking / sliding / lowering / stressing / load transfer applications

T: +44 (0) 20 7643 1050 E: techservices@wentworth-house.co.uk wentworth-house.co.uk