Kochi: A team of Cusat experts will conduct a ‘Core Test’ to determine ‘stre-ngth and durability’ of concrete used in the Vytilla flyover and submit a report to the Pu-blic Works Department in two weeks.
The exercise is being held in the wake of allegations of compromise in the construction qua-lity of the bridge when a report prepared by the PWD quality control wing itself found the deficiency.
However, a study by an outside agency - Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam-- failed to find any issue with the construction quality, forcing the government to go for a study by Cusat, which will be considered as the final assessment.
“While the team from Mar Athanasius College used ‘Schmidt Rebound Hammer Test’ method, we are using ‘Core Test’ to assess the strength and potential durability of the concrete.
The samples from the bridge will be collected and tested in our (Cusat) laboratory. The process is expected to take a week and we aim to submit the report in another two weeks,” Dr George Mathew, principal, School of Engineering, who heads the Cusat expert team, said.
Under the Core Test, small samples of concrete are randomly sele-cted and extracted using a core drilling machine. The extracted cores are subjected to a series of tests in the laboratory.
“We’re in the process of entrusting an experienced agency to collect the cores. The efforts will be to determine the strength of concrete, mix composition and proportion of concrete and presence of deleterious matter in the concrete,” the official said.
The rains are hampering the collection of samples though the Cusat team has completed a preliminary inspection.
Currently, the construction work of the flyover has been halted to facilitate the study by expert teams. Seventy per cent of the work is over while the PWD aims to commission the six-lane facility by December.
