SERVICE SHEET MATERIALS TESTING AND ENGINEERING HAIMI

FUGRO-SUHAIMI
PETROGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
Petrographic examination is a useful and powerful tool when testing
and assessing a range of natural and cementitious construction
materials. An examination uses site inspection, the unaided eye & low
and high-powerd microscopes to determine the detailed features of a
construction material.

Examinations of either natural, man-made Examinations can be undertaken in

or composite materials can be part of a accordance with a number of international
regular quality assurance scheme to assess standards and guidelines, including: Core sample, as received, showing a crack running
compliance or continuity in production. It ASTM C295 through the full depth.
may also be part of a detailed distress and ASTM C457
deterioration investigation determining why ASTM C856
a material failed in its current environment. BS 812-104
Materials that can be examined include: BS 5930
concrete EN 932-3
mortar EN 12326-2
render EN 12407
screed These examinations can be complemented
aggregate by physical testing, chemical analysis and
rock specialist analytical techniques.
dimension stone Portion of a coarse aggregate sample that has been
slate petrographically examined.

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 SERVICE SHEET MATERIALS TESTING AND ENGINEERING HAIMI

Petrographic examinations are conducted

by experienced geologists trained in optical
microscopy, materials science and a range
of analytical techniques. We work closely
with the client to provide a cost effective
and efficient assessment of a material.

PETROGRAPHIC
EXAMINATIONS OF CONCRETE
AND OTHER CEMENTITIOUS
MATERIALS CAN DETERMINE:

Constituents
aggregate type
composition
characteristics
contaminents
matrix characteristics
mineral additives, e.g. PFA, GGBS and
silica fume
cement type Analysis of the volumetric proportions of individual concrete constituents.

Quality and condition

air void characteristics PETROGRAPHIC
water/binder ratio EXAMINATIONS OF ROCK AND
degree of compaction AGGREGATE CAN DETERMINE:
microporosity
carbonation depth Macroscopic features:
portlandite distribution colour, fabric, grain size
presence of cracks, joints and pores
Evidence of distress or evidence of weathering and alteration
deterioration presence of macrofossils, xenoliths A limestone particle showing ooids within a sparite
reinforcement corrosion and mafic intrusions matrix.
cracking, including plastic and drying
shrinkage Microscopic features:
sulfate attack (ettringite and fabric, constituents and composition
thaumasite) discontinuities, e.g. pores, cracks and
alkali-silica reaction (ASR) fractures
chemical attack, including acid attack minerals and grains detail, including
fire damage percentage by volume, dimensions,
construction errors shape, distribution, orientation and
freeze/thaw evidence of weathering or alteration
Concrete suffering from cracking induced by ASR.

Fugro-Suhaimi Ltd.
FUGRO SUHAIMI LTD. 01 2015

P.O. Box 2165

Dammam 31451
Saudi Arabia
Telephone: +966 13 857 4200
Email: materials@fugro-suhaimi.com Concrete showing cracking induced by reinforcement
www.fugro-suhaimi.com corrosion.

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