VCS Engineering

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗵𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 — 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵? In our Corrosion 101 Webinar Q&A, one question asked how these two factors interact. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:   • Carbonation reduces concrete’s pH, stripping away the passive layer that protects steel. (Parking garages exposed to CO₂ vehicle emissions or old structures are common examples.)   • Chlorides typically penetrate from the outside, usually through seawater, marine spray, or de-icing salts. (Marine structures and bridge decks are common examples.) Each is a durability challenge, but when combined, they lower the chloride threshold dramatically and accelerate corrosion far beyond what you would see from one alone. This is one of the many real-world issues we addressed in the our Corrosion 101 session, presented by Pratik Murkute, Ph.D., PE , NACE CP Specialist. To watch the full Corrosion 101 Webinar, and our Advance Assessment Series, click the link below! https://lnkd.in/g_xYVMYG #ConcreteDurability #Corrosion101 #AdvanceAssessmentSeries #WeSaveStructures

Have you ever dealt with chloride contamination on a bridge deck? Unlike northern states, Florida does not use de-icing chemicals on its roadways, so this type of damage is not typical for the state’s transportation infrastructure. In 2022, VCS was tasked with this exact scenario at the Stan Gober Memorial Bridge in Collier County. Seawater dripping from boats at a nearby marina introduced unexpected chloride exposure to the deck. Working with Cardno, VCS used non-destructive testing methods to perform corrosion potential mapping and GPR scanning to evaluate the structure. We also collected concrete samples for evaluation of compressive strength, chloride concentration, and petrographic analysis. From there, we developed a rehabilitation plan that included deck replacement, sealers, cathodic protection jackets, and zinc metalizing to extend the bridge’s service life. To read the full project summary, scope, and solution, visit our projects page: https://lnkd.in/gqGyXspH If you have experienced chloride contamination on a bridge deck in one of your Florida projects, let us know in the comments how you addressed or prevented the issue! #ConcreteDurability #BridgeRehabilitation #CorrosionProtection #WeSaveStructures #Floridabridgedeck #Chloridecontamination

That wraps up the Advance Assessment Series! Over the past few months, our team has shared insights on non-destructive testing and concrete condition assessments with engineers, contractors, and owners across the industry. You can now watch the complete four-part series, including the final session, on the Concrete Preservation Alliance YouTube channel!

Corrosion doesn’t work in isolation. During our recent Concrete Preservation Alliance webinar Corrosion 101: Causes and Assessment Strategies, an attendee asked: “How does the combination of carbonation and chlorides affect the chloride threshold and overall corrosivity?” Our expert, Pratik Murkute, Ph.D., PE , NACE CP Specialist, explained how these two mechanisms don’t just coexist—they accelerate each other, lowering corrosion thresholds and increasing risk far beyond what you’d expect from either alone. This is the kind of real-world insight you can take back to your projects, directly from the experts! If you have corrosion-related questions, drop them in the comments below or ask them LIVE in our last session, “Uncovering the Unknown: Investigating Hidden Structural Conditions,” this Thursday, September 11th, 2025. Register for the final session now! https://lnkd.in/eBmMPj-V

The last session in the Advance Assessment Series is only 1 week away! Join William Horne, VP of our NDT Division, on September 11, 2025, as he shares how advanced non-destructive testing methods uncover hidden risks and support smarter repair planning for aging infrastructure! Time is running out—save your spot today.! https://lnkd.in/eBmMPj-V

How confident are you in your next concrete repair plan? Traditional inspection methods like visual checks and coring have their place, but they can leave decision makers with unanswered questions that impact budgets and schedules. Non-destructive testing (NDT) closes that gap by providing reliable data to reduce uncertainty, confirm conditions, and support long-term asset management. With better insights up front, you can: - Design with confidence - Minimize risk and delays - Plan for the long term - Save money by reducing unknowns Smarter insights today mean stronger structures tomorrow — that’s the value of NDT. Learn when and why to choose NDT in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gF3_phpg

Could hidden flaws be affecting your concrete’s structural integrity? Visible damage — like spalling, cracks, or rust stains — is often just the beginning of corrosion-related deterioration. These symptoms can point to underlying issues and hidden defects that weaken performance over time. The good news is, non-destructive testing (NDT) can help. Using methods like impact echo (IE) and pulse velocity (PV), our team identifies voids, honeycombing, and cracking that compromise your structure’s integrity — all without coring. These techniques are applied in a variety of situations to give engineers, contractors, and owners clarity before small problems escalate. Explore the full breakdown of how NDT addresses concrete challenges in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gF3_phpg #ConcreteRepair #ConditionAssessment #StructuralIntegrity #Durability #ConcreteStructures #Infrastructure #Engineering

Is your concrete structure trying to tell you something? Cracks, spalling, and rust stains are more than cosmetic issues. They’re early warning signs of hidden deterioration inside your concrete. That’s where non-destructive testing (NDT) comes in. By looking beneath the surface, NDT helps engineers, owners, and contractors understand the true condition of their structures before minor issues become major problems. See the signs. Understand the risks. Learn more in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gF3_phpg #NDT #NonDestructiveTesting #ConditionAssessment #ConcreteTesting #Corrosion #BridgeMaintenance #ParkingStructures #InfrastructurePreservation