AIDICO, through the Structural Diagnosis and Historical Studies Area, develops and applies a set of techniques and procedures enabling the Assessment of Damage and Pathological Processes in building elements and/or buildings with heritage value.

In Damage and Pathology Assessment, the following advanced services can be requested:

• Application of sonic and ultrasonic auscultation techniques for the detection, localisation of defects and interfaces between building materials. Tomographic reconstructions from sonic and ultrasonic waves for their characterization: tensile states, detection of possible flaws, cracks and fissures, thickness detection and other geometric features.
• Determination of propagation rates in concrete and natural stone using standards. Te most common standards for concrete are UNE-EN 12504, UNE 83-308-93, ASTM C-597, while the most common for natural stone is ASTM D-285.
• Evaluation of dynamic elastic constants and vibration modes of sample materials or natural stone, mortar and concrete control samples.
• Estimation of compression resistances via correlation with non-destructive and quasi-non-destructive techniques such as ultrasounds, sclerometer and PNT-g penetrometer. Prediction of mechanical behaviour.
• Locating filtrations of dampness in residential buildings.
• Detection of flaws in insulation in residential buildings.
• Determination of acoustic and thermal behaviour of construction materials and elements.
• Diagnostics to determine areas with peeling from plaster finish
• Monitoring and control of new building sites and control of structures that may be affected by nearby excavations.
• Ongoing monitoring of structures for prevention of pathologies in the long term.
• Special dynamic and static load tests.
• Instrumentation in civil works (shrinkage control, deformations, movements).
• Study of mechanical characteristics of singular structures using inverse techniques of dynamic force and environmental vibration
• Widening and improving knowledge of standards - through studies and real assays – in the area of fire interaction and structures.
• Initial appraisal studies in rehabilitation projects. Diagnostics of buildings undergoing either a change in use or structural changes.
• Tests for mechanical characterisation of factory-made structures (FlatJack).
• Determination of thicknesses, foundations and construction systems by means of video endoscopy and georadar.
• Safety studies of structures affected by accidental phenomena.