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Main focus of our services

Our experienced and interdisciplinary team of experts, made up of engineers, chemists, mineralogists, geologists and physicists, would be pleased to advise you on all aspects of durability assessment. Our services include:

  • Durability studies on laboratory or structural specimens
  • Comprehensive testing and expert reports on alkali-silica reaction
  • Service life design for existing or new reinforced concrete structures

Durability studies permit assessment of the resistance of concretes and mortars to the relevant environmental impacts. Our accredited, high-performance laboratories offer a wide range of facilities for the testing of durability properties in accordance with German and international standards and directives. The studies focus for example on:

  • Resistance to carbonation
  • Resistance to chloride penetration
  • Freeze-thaw resistance and freeze-thaw resistance with de-icing salt
  • Abrasion resistance
  • Sulphate resistance
  • Alkali-silica reaction (ASR)

A detailed overview of the testing procedures we offer can be found in the laboratory services section.

In the field of Alkali silica reaction (ASR), we offer not just the tests described in the Alkali Guidelines of the DAfStb, but also the performance of WS aggregate testing and ASR performance tests based on ARS No. 04/2013, as well as the production of corresponding expert reports. VDZ is recognised as an ASR expert by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt). Testing procedures as recommended by international teams of experts (e.g. RILEM) also form part of the scope of our services.

The parameters established in the course of material testing can often be used for service life design purposes. In this case, probabilistic calculation models are employed to forecast the probability of occurrence of a serviceability limit state with possibly ensuing reinforcement corrosion in reinforced concrete components. The application of these calculation models to forecast the durability of reinforced concrete structures often permits design or material-related optimisation. Maintenance action planning and estimation of the residual service life can be enhanced through the use of the calculation models.

Our methods

  • Reliable durability tests in accordance with German and international standards and directives
  • Comprehensive testing of aggregates and concretes in accordance with the Alkali Guidelines of the DAfStb and RILEM
  • Well-founded expert reports on the ASR potential of aggregates and concrete compositions in accordance with ARS No. 04/2013 (WS aggregate testing/ASR performance testing for concrete road pavements)
  • Service life design employing the models of the fib Model Code "Service Life Design" to describe the triggering of reinforcement corrosion by carbonation or chloride penetration
  • If required, combination of durability assessment with further services such as structural diagnostics and BIM-based maintenance planning (insert internal link)

Your benefits

  • Utilisation of scientific findings and modern methods to optimise the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of your new construction and maintenance projects
  • Complete package covering all aspects of structural diagnostics, material studies and durability assessment
  • Contact with highly qualified experts drawing on experience from direct involvement in specialist research projects and standardisation committees
  • VDZ is recognised as an ASR expert by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt)

Quality standards

The management system of VDZ Technology gGmbH is certified by DQS in accordance with ISO 9001
VDZ Technology gGmbH is accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025

Other services in which we operate

Material testing

We can offer all standard material tests for the assessment of fresh and hardened concrete properties as well as durability. Our high-performance laboratory is fitted with a wide range of technical equipment and is accredited in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. As a result we are able to provide you with a broad spectrum of laboratory services.

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Structure management

The durability of reinforced concrete structures can be impaired by environmental influences. We provide support for the diagnosis of existing structures, the assessment of inspection results and possible repair planning.

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Approval inspections and accompaniment of approval procedures

Our approval inspections and accompaniment of approval procedures help you to verify the basis for CE marking (European Technical Assessment, ETA) and the suitability of construction products for specific areas of application (national approvals for concretes, concrete constituents and cements, for example). The range of services we offer encompasses all stages of the approval procedure, from preliminary trials right through to expert reports.

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Life cycle assessment and sustainability assessment

Certification systems such as DGNB, LEED or BREEAM are increasingly being used to assess the sustainability of new buildings. The sustainability concept commonly employed is based on a three-pillar model, made up of economy, ecology and social aspects. Life cycle assessment of building materials provides important input data for such sustainability assessments. We develop life cycle assessments for cement and cement-bound building materials as a basis for environmental product declarations (EPD).

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Customer-specific services

Our customer-specific services help to optimise your products and open up new areas of application. Our experienced specialists can offer their support if there is a need for your products to satisfy extended verification of suitability or meet special requirements. On the basis of the latest scientific and technical state of the art we will assist you with the planning of development steps and the optimisation of properties and verify the suitability of your construction products (e.g. cements or concretes) for specific areas of application. We will additionally support you throughout the course of the necessary approval procedures and issue product certificates.

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Performance of cement

We can offer you various comprehensive services for the purpose of optimising the performance of cement. In doing so we provide you with full support throughout the entire process. Our interdisciplinary teams of experts have many years of experience gained from customer projects around the world and also further their knowledge by working on practical research projects.

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Laboratory services

Our interdisciplinary team can provide answers to virtually all questions relating to cementitious building materials in line with the latest state-of-the-art. At the same time we can offer our customers a range of services encompassing all important testing activities and consultation work, right through to complex expert reports. Up-to-the-minute research and a professional attitude towards service combine to produce synergies which are reflected by the high quality and practical relevance of our work.

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Person to contact

Do you have questions regarding this service?

Dr Christoph Müller
Concrete technology

+49-211-45 78-351
bte@vdz-online.de

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