Concrete Breakout & Connection Testing

Concrete breakout testing determines the actual tensile and shear capacity of concrete substrates by loading embedded or surface-mounted fixings to failure. Unlike proof testing which confirms adequacy at a specified load, breakout testing loads to failure to determine the ultimate capacity of the concrete cone, the governing failure mode for many anchor and connection designs. The failure surface geometry, load at failure, and failure mode provide direct evidence of concrete tensile capacity and substrate quality.

TRSC uses breakout testing when the actual concrete substrate capacity needs to be established, not just confirmed above a threshold. This is common in heritage structures and older buildings where concrete quality is uncertain, in structures that have been exposed to fire or chemical attack, and where the concrete mix design or placement quality is in question. The measured breakout capacity feeds directly into anchor design calculations and connection capacity assessments.

Testing is conducted using calibrated hydraulic equipment with controlled load application. The failure cone is documented, measured, and photographed to determine the failure mode (concrete cone, combined cone-bond, splitting) and the effective embedment depth. Results are compared against design predictions to assess the reliability of the design model for the specific concrete substrate.