Germann Instruments
By the end of the 20th Century, the deteriorating state of the world’s infrastructure became quite evident. Even now, there appears to be a lack of financial and political will to address this growing problem. Yet there are methods and equipment to assess and remedy the situation within acceptable cost limits.
Time tested on-site investigation systems for evaluating concrete structures have been in existence for decades. It is a matter of properly utilizing them and recommending the optimum course of action to either rehabilitate or remove current bridges, highways, and buildings that can pose a danger to civilians or other structures.
To avoid the mistakes of the past, technology has advanced to increase the quality and appropriateness of concrete mixes with an eye towards long term durability and service life. By maximizing the properties of concrete, structures will stand longer and not deteriorate in the way current buildings do now.
Mission Statements
For over 40 years, Germann Instruments has been at the forefront in on-site nondestructive investigation of concrete structures, introducing innovative systems for determining their true condition.
In addition to in-situ equipment, Germann Instruments has brought to market systems for the evaluation of concrete mixes for research and for ensuring the concrete delivered to job sites are within specifications.
Our motto “Test Smart, Build Right” reflects both lines of products. We have been able to make meaningful contributions to the state of the art in both field investigation and in the science of concrete materials.
You will find on our web site, an extensive product line and the categories in which they are utilized. Training is available for all the systems. Feel free to contact us at any time for more information.
As a unique service, Germann Instruments’ president, Mr. Claus Petersen, created the NDTitans, a group of seasoned and experienced scientists, researchers and engineers that can assist you on a variety of projects and concerns within the concrete industry. They can be reached at http://www.ndtitans.com.
History
In 1974, Mr. Claus Germann Petersen founded Germann Instruments with the introduction of the LOK-TEST pullout system for measuring the actual in-situ compressive strength of concrete for new construction. He soon followed that up with the CAPO-TEST for use on hardened concrete and the BOND-TEST for adhesion and tensile strength. All three utilize the LOK-TEST calibrated hydraulic jack and have been in continuous production since their inception. Their longevity is a tribute to their validity and acceptance in the concrete industry.
Additional systems for on-site investigation have been added to form a well-rounded product line. Innovations include the Rapid Chloride Test for determining the chloride content of concrete structures in their actual environment, the GalvaPulse for corrosion rate and mapping of steel reinforcement , the Doctor Impact-Echo and complementary s’MASH Impulse Response Test, and the newest high tech instrument, the MIRA 3-D Stress Wave Tomographer, for investigation and condition surveys for structural integrity and confirmation of flaws or damage.
Germann Instruments has also increased their commercial footprint by marketing equipment for measuring and evaluating concrete mixes for a variety of properties, most notably the Proove-it for chloride ion penetration per ASTM C 1202, the Merlin for bulk conductivity and resistivity of concrete samples, the Air Void Analyzer for determining the air void structure in regards to freeze/thaw protection, and the only portable rheometer on the market, the ICAR Plus.
Mr. Petersen continues to explore new ways and new technology to increase the tools available to practicing field engineers and researchers in industry and academia.
He feels strongly that all this would be for naught if the operators do not have the proper training and understanding of the test systems. Workshops and training seminars have been done internationally for several years to promote Mr. Petersen’s vision of expanding the core of technicians and consultants skilled in the correct procedures for investigating concrete structures.
FOUNDER
Claus Germann Petersen
President of Germann Instruments
B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, Danish Engineering Academy
M.Sc. Economics, Copenhagen Business School
Besides opening Germann Instruments in 1974, Mr. Petersen also started the Copenhagen Business School’s two-year, post-graduate course in Entrepreneurship and Start-Up of High- Tech Small Businesses. He was its professor from 1974-1985.
He established In-Situ Testing of Copenhagen in 1978 doing field investigations. For the 20 years of its existence, Mr. Petersen acquired extensive experience in the applications of many test systems.
For over 30 years, he has lectured on NDT methods worldwide for governments, universities, and private institutions. Mr. Petersen has held training courses, seminars and workshops on nondestructive testing and evaluation in several countries.
He is the author of many papers and books on in-place testing of reinforced concrete structures. His work has led to several awards, e.g. the Professor Ostenfeld Gold medal from the Danish Society for Structural Science and Engineering.
Mr. Petersen is a long-time member of ACI Committee 228 on Nondestructive Testing of Concrete and the RILEM Technical Committee on Non-destructive Testing.