News

Participation in inter-laboratory tests - Relacre

Due to the accreditation process, Senqual participated in the inter-laboratory tests organized by Relacre: Aggregates and Concrete in 2016 and Soils and Bituminous Mixtures in 2017.

Tests for the characterization of pathologies in viaducts

In order to characterize pathologies detected during routine inspection actions and prevent the arise of structural problems, an exhaustive work of characterization was carried out and included: extraction and test to obtain the compressive strength of concrete cores, determination of chloride content of concrete, determination of carbonation depth, determination of rebound number, determination of positioning, dimension and cover of the reinforcement.

Process of CE marking of aggregate concrete masonry units

Senqual carried out all the studies for the CE marking of aggregate concrete masonry units according to EN 771-3, that included performing the initial type testing of the product, defining the declaration of conformity and all the documentation needed for the process.

Quality control of concrete of industrial concrete floors in Spain

Between the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, Senqual carried out concrete control works for the construction of industrial concrete floors in Spain: Alberique, Alicante, Barcelona and Valencia. The quality control of concrete in these kind of floors is fundamental to the short and long term good performance.

Senqual began rebranding process in September

In September Senqual began a rebranding process that is going to be finished in the beginning of 2017. This change is part of a reformulation and restructuration program of the Senqual group that, with other actions that will be carried out in the short term, intend to reinforce and increase the national and international position of the company.

Lightweight Dynamic Penetrometer Tests - Consolidation of river Caima banks

Senqual carried out Lightweight Dynamic Penetrometer tests during the works of the consolidation of river Caima banks. The tests performed allowed our client to evaluate the position of the hard soil or rock, supporting the reinforcement and stabilization works of the river Caima banks.

Senqual is part of AIDA statutory bodies for 2016-19

Senqual is part of the advisory board of statutory bodies of AIDA (Industrial Association of Aveiro District) for the triennium 2016-2019, representing Espinho. AIDA is a very dynamic association that supports the companies of Aveiro district with internationalization actions (market prospecting, participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and trade missions), legal support and technical advice as well as support for vocational training.

Senqual’s laboratory supports structural rehabilitation works

Senqual’s laboratory supports structural rehabilitation works, having been present in several rehabilitation works in the historic city of Porto, rehabilitation of old buildings in Lisbon as well as structural assessment works of industrial buildings. In these works Senqual was responsible for the extraction of concrete cores to assess the thickness of structural elements and to assess the compressive strength class of concrete, determination of the chlorides content and the carbonation depth, detection of reinforcement bars and the concrete cover thickness, carry out load tests to assess the characteristics of the foundation of ground floor slabs.

Analysis of pathologies on a rigid pavement of an industrial building

After the appearance of several pathologies on a rigid pavement of an industrial building in Vagos – Aveiro, Senqual was contacted to study and understand the origin and the causes of the problems identified. After visiting the works for inspection, analysis of the concrete composition used and the conditions in which the works were held, a deep study was carried out from which resulted a list of possible causes of the problems as well as recommendations for the ongoing works.

End of the works in tunnel of Marão

At the end of April the works in tunnel of Marão ended. Senqual, as the laboratory where all the quality control tests of the materials used in the construction of the tunnel were carried out, ended all the works that elapsed since the end of 2014. This was a hard work of great responsibility but very rewarding in which the company is proud to have participated.

The newspaper "A Voz de Trás os Montes" made a special edition about the works in tunnel of Marão. Senqual was interviewed for this special edition. The result of the interview can be consulted through the next link (pages 52 and 53): 

https://issuu.com/avozdetras-os-montes/docs/tunel_do_mar__o_final1

Senqual also released an advertisement in this special edition (page 35).

Advertising in Construir Magazine

Senqual released an advertisement in the edition 71 of Construção Magazine that can be seen in:
http://www.construcaomagazine.pt/scid/webCM/includes/book/viewBook.asp?articleID=2145

Senqual stablishes a partnership with ISEP

Senqual is now partner of ISEP – Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto as a company to provide professional internship integrating the cycle of studies leading to the degree of Master of Civil Engineering. Besides the technical-scientific work developed by the students, it is intended that the students integrate the work of the company, namely the works that are carried out in Senqual’s central laboratory. Since February two internships are ongoing in Senqual.

Quality control of concrete for rigid pavement

Senqual performed the quality control of concrete for a rigid pavement of an industrial pavilion of Mabor in Famalicão, Portugal. To do this control Senqual’s mobile laboratory was moved to the field during the two phases of the works from January to March. The work consisted in the quality control of fresh concrete performing slump tests, air content, density, water/cement ratio and retraction/expansion test as well as the quality control of aggregates performing particle size distribution, density, water absorption and moisture content.

Marão tunnel: second laboratory in the field

After finishing the quality control of concrete, sprayed concrete and grout, Senqual is going to stablish a second laboratory fitted to do the quality control of soils, aggregates and bituminous mixtures.

Águas Santas tunnel

Senqual is carrying out the determination of the energy absorption capacity and the fibre content in order to do the quality control of fibre reinforced concrete to be applied in the Águas Santas tunnel.

Quality control of concrete for rigid pavement in Vitória – Spain

Senqual performed the quality control of concrete for a rigid pavement in Vitória, Spain, to an industrial pavilion of Michelin. To do this control Senqual’s mobile laboratory was moved to Vitória during about 1 month. The 2 people team on site allowed doing the control in both places the concrete central and the places in the site where concrete was applied.

Study of composition of micro-concrete to a WWTP

Senqual carried out the study of a micro-concrete composition for the bed of the Archimedes screws of the Serzedelo II WWTP, in Guimarães. The concrete was studied to be resistant to the corrosion agents and have specific workability in order to be applied by the screws. The concreting work was a success and finished before the deadline.

Marão Tunnel

Senqual is responsible for the quality control of the materials in Marão Tunnel: control of concrete, sprayed concrete and aggregates. The control is carried out by a team that works in a laboratory set up in the field that is supported by the main laboratory located in Valadares (Vila Nova de Gaia).

Pull-Off Tests in the Venda Nova III dam

Senqual carried out pull-off tests in the power boost of Venda Nova III dam. These tests are carried out for the control of the bond strength of the concrete sprayed in the balance chimney.

Quality control of cement, fly ashes and admixtures in Venda Nova and Foz Tua dams

Following the investment made to increase the number of tests of quality control of hydraulically bound mixtures and admixtures, Senqual is now carrying out the quality control of cement, fly ashes and admixtures in several works including the power boost of Venda Nova III dam and the construction of Foz Tua dam. All these tests are performed in the main laboratory.

Caniçada Dam: quality control of concrete, aggregates, cement, fly ashes and admixtures

Senqual is carrying out the quality control of concrete, aggregates, cement, fly ashes and admixtures used in the power boost of Caniçada dam. For this a laboratory was set up in the field that is supported by the main laboratory located in Valadares (Vila Nova de Gaia).

Maturity – control of temperature of concrete in the first ages

Knowing the evolution of the concrete at early ages is very important for the decision about removal of scaffolding and shoring as well in application of the tension in prestressed concrete.

Senqual is monitoring de evolution of curing temperature of the concrete in the construction of the new roadway bridge of Foz do Dão on IP3. This control is carried out by installing thermocouples in the concrete during the concreting procedure and their acquisition in a data logger.

This control includes not only monitoring of the evolution of the curing temperature in the structure but also the control of the curing temperature of test specimens.

Physical and chemical tests of cement and fly ashes

Since the end of 2013 Senqual provides to its clients a new set of tests for the quality control of the construction materials. In order to complement the test already performed on the hydraulically bound mixtures, Senqual increased the number of physical and chemical tests of cement and fly ashes as can be checked in the website:

http://senqual.pt/en/servicos/laboratorio

Venezuela - Puerto de La Guaira

Senqual is responsible to provide technical support to the concrete production in the project refered to as: Procura y Construcción del Proyecto Definitivo de Ingeniería y Construcción de las Obras Civiles que conforman el Muelle Oeste del Puerto de La Guaira, in Venezuela.
This project is part of the expansion and modernization of this harbour.