Sixense North America provides advanced auscultation and testing solutions to assess structural integrity and optimize asset performance. Our expertise includes both non-destructive testing (NDT) methods and destructive or semi-destructive techniques, delivering essential diagnostic insights for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure.
These advanced auscultation and testing methods allow us to:
- Understand structural behavior in detail
- Detect weaknesses and internal defects
- Assess mechanical, electrochemical, and physicochemical properties of materials
- Estimate degradation trends and identify deterioration risks
Our Auscultation and Testing Methods
Electromagnetic Methods
Structure radar, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and pachometer
Electromagnetic techniques rely on wave propagation to detect reinforcement within concrete. These methods help determine the position of passive reinforcement, measure concrete cover thickness, and reconstruct cable layouts in prestressed concrete structures. This is critical for assessing compliance with design specifications and planning maintenance strategies.
Electrochemical Methods
Corrosion potential, corrosion rate, and electrical resistivity
Electrochemical testing evaluates the corrosion protection level of reinforcing steel embedded in concrete. By locating corrosion zones and determining their intensity and kinetics, these methods help predict long-term durability. When combined with laboratory analysis, they provide a complete picture of the concrete’s ability to protect reinforcement over time.
Ultrasonic Methods
US measurements, 3D tomography, acoustic admittance and impact echo
Ultrasonic testing uses longitudinal (P) and shear (S) waves to characterize concrete homogeneity and detect internal defects. Applications include measuring crack depth, determining material thickness, locating voids or delamination planes, and identifying prestressing ducts. Some techniques can achieve investigation depths of up to 2 meters, making them ideal for large structural components.
Thermal Methods
Infrared thermography
Thermal inspection techniques, primarily infrared thermography, are used to detect anomalies in buildings and bridges. These methods can identify defects in waterproofing, verify composite material bonding, and locate embedded networks in heated floors. While thermal cameras are easy to operate, interpreting thermograms requires expert analysis to ensure accurate results.
Residual Stress Measurement in Steel
Center Hole Method (ASTM E837-20)
Also known as Center Hole Drilling (CHD), this method measures residual stresses by drilling a controlled hole and monitoring stress redistribution using strain gauges. It is essential for understanding stress states in steel components and ensuring structural reliability.
Residual Stress Measurement in Concrete
Slotstress
Slotstress analysis helps engineers understand load distribution within a structure, verify structural resistance, and anticipate service load trends. This method is particularly valuable for aging structures where stress patterns may have shifted over time, enabling optimized maintenance or reinforcement strategies.
Load Testing
Sixense performs static and dynamic load tests on engineering structures in accordance with industry standards. Each auscultation and testing assignment follows a rigorous protocol that includes modeling load cases, installing instrumentation, monitoring structural behavior during loading, and analyzing performance. These tests validate compliance, refine design calculations, and authorize commissioning for new, existing, or renovated structures. Every test concludes with a detailed report that can be used immediately for decision-making.
Operational Modal Analysis (OMA)
OMA measures natural vibrations caused by operational conditions such as wind or traffic. This non-invasive technique provides insight into the dynamic behavior of a structure without requiring heavy or costly testing. When performed regularly, OMA helps track changes in structural condition and anticipate maintenance needs before issues arise.
Build’Health – Continuous Structural Monitoring
Our global structural monitoring solution, Build’Health, offers:
- Continuous health monitoring of buildings and infrastructure throughout their lifecycle
- Rapid damage assessment following incidents such as construction impacts, accidents, or earthquakes
- Optimized risk management during urban works and complex projects
Build’Health combines vibration monitoring with advanced analytics to deliver real-time insights, helping asset managers maintain safety and performance with confidence.
Find out more about our Build’Health solution
