Empirical carry out cover meter surveys using electromagnetic meters to accurately determine the embedment depth of reinforcement within concrete elements. A cover meter survey can provide the following information:

• Accurate reinforcement cover – A cover meter uses Eddy current technology and is the most accurate non-destructive technique to confirm reinforcement cover within concrete. This survey can be carried out to confirm conformity of construction in newly constructed structures, or to confirm existing details of historical assets. Empirical are also experienced in using specialist logging cover meters which can speed up surveys and reduce costs, whilst still collecting large volumes of accurate data.

• Reinforcement pattern – A cover meter can accurately map out the first layer of reinforcement within an RC element. Using logging cover meters can be a quick and effective way of gathering data relating to reinforcement centres over a large area. The technology can quickly give individual centres, mean centres and much more. The gathered data can provide results to aid structural engineers in Excel format.

• Other buried metallic objects – A cover meter can also be used to locate other embedded metallic objects such as manhole covers, metal pipes, steel beams etc.

• Re-bar diameter – Some cover meters used by Empirical under the correct conditions can non-destructively indicate the diameter of an embedded re-bar. However, to accurately confirm this along with the type of re-bar a small breakout should be carried out to calibrate results.

• Concrete Condition Surveys – When trying to understand the current condition of a reinforced concrete element cover meter surveys can form part of the suite of tests. Typically, a condition test is carried out over a 2m x 1m area made of 500mm grid. A cover meter survey is required during this process (as guided in CS 462) to ascertain the minimum cover of reinforcement within each 500mm grid. The results are then correlated alongside half-cell, resistivity, chloride determination and carbonation tests to give an indication of corrosion risk.

Our cover meter surveys are carried out to the standards documented within BS 1881 Testing Concrete Part 204 Recommendations on the use of electromagnetic cover meters.