Construction quality inspection services

1. Inspection objectives

Change of use or additional storeys

Construction quality inspection services for a change of use: Buildings may need to be adapted as requirements change, for example converting offices into workshops, homes into offices, or homes and offices into restaurants or hotels, or adding storeys. ITVC Global provides construction quality inspection to answer the following questions:

• Is the proposed change of use or addition of storeys feasible?
• If reinforcement is needed, where should it be provided?

Incident investigation

Construction inspection to investigate an incident: Cracking, tilting or settlement may occur during construction or use. ITVC Global investigates to answer two questions:

• What caused the incident?
• How can it be remedied?

Dispute resolution

Construction inspection to resolve a dispute: Where an owner and contractor disagree about construction quality, ITVC Global inspects to establish:

• Has the contractor complied with the contract and applicable standards?

2. Our approach

ITVC Global helps customers understand the causes and current condition of the structure promptly and objectively.

3. Inspection activities

The TCXDVN references and comparative ratings are retained from the source for reference. Competent engineers must determine the applicable standards, method, reliability and test plan for each structure; the table’s ratings are not universal accuracy guarantees.

1. Concrete quality assessment

• Assess concrete uniformity, including voids and honeycombing.
• Assess concrete strength:

2. Reinforcement inspection

• Determine bar quantity, diameter and concrete cover; the source cites TCXDVN 240:2000.
• Assess reinforcement corrosion; the source cites TCXDVN 294:2003.

3. Crack width and depth measurement

• Measure crack width using a magnifying crack gauge; the source specifies a magnification of 100.
• Determine concrete crack depth; the source cites TCXDVN 225:1998.

4. In-situ load testing

• The source cites TCXDVN 363:2006 on assessing the strength of reinforced-concrete members in bending by static load testing.
• Principle: Apply a planned load to the slab and measure structural deformation. The source specifies measurement accuracy of 0.01 mm.

5. Structural deformation assessment

• Common signs include cracking, tilting, settlement and deflection.
• Apply the structural design standards relevant to the assessment; the source also cites TCXDVN 373:2006 on assessing hazardous buildings.