The surface at the test location is ground using a planing tool and a 18.4 mm hole is made perpendicular to the surface using a diamond coring bit. A recess (slot) is routed in the hole to a diameter of 25 mm and at a depth of 25 mm. A split ring is expanded in the recess and pulled out using a pull-machine reacting against a 55 mm diameter counter pressure ring. The concrete in the strut between the expanded ring and the counter pressure ring is in compression. Hence, the ultimate pullout force F required to pullout the ring is related directly to compressive strength.
CAPO-TEST provides in less than 15 minutes an accurate estimate of in-place strength based on a well-defined general correlation to compressive strength measured using either standard cylinders or cubes. The results are not influenced by surface conditions such as texture, moisture content, hardness or depth of carbonation, as are other methods like the rebound hammer, ultrasound pulse velocity (UPV) or Windsor probe. Thus, the CAPO-Test can be used with confidence without necessarily having to develop a site-specific correlation.
In-situ concrete strength.
- Quality assurance testing of the finished structure.
- Verification of in-place strength if strength of standard-cured specimens fails to meet acceptance criteria.
- Estimating strength of concrete in evaluation of existing structures.
- Evaluation of fire-damaged structures.
In-situ concrete strength.
Two versions of the system are available, the C-1000 Capo-Test complete system and the C-2000 Capo-Test Lite.
1. C-1000 CAPO-TEST Complete System.
Includes vacuum support (base plate and vacuum pump) to facilitate and perform the test in a more controlled manner as well as two independent units for drilling and surface planning. It consists of the C-101 Preparation Kit, the C-102 DSV-Kit, and the C-104 pull machine kit.
1.1. C-101 CAPO Preparation Kit
For location of reinforcement, planning surface, drilling the center hole and routing the recess to accommodate the expandable insert. It also contains the unit for expanding the insert, counter pressure and other tools for conducting the test. Includes:
| Item | Order # | |
| Counter pressure | C-142 |    |
| Expansion unit | C-101-1 |
| Coupling | C-141 |
| Water pump | C-150 |
| Recess router unit | C-101-2 |
| Distance piece, 25 mm | C-136 |
| Bottle w. CAPO-Oil | C-143 |
| Diamond drill unit | C-101-3 |
| Red diamond drill bit | C-101-31 |
| Wrench, 13 mm | C-170 |
| Wrench, 14 mm, 2 pcs | C-151 |
| Wrench, 17 mm, 2 pcs | C-171 |
| Wrench, 19 mm, 2 pcs | C-155 |
| Surface planer unit | C-102-1 |
| Diamond planing wheel | C-102-11 |
| Centering brass rod | C-102-5 | |
| Reinforcement locator | C-180 | |
| Screwdriver | C-149 | |
| Tweezers | C-148 | |
| Plastic hose, 2 pcs | C-157 | |
| Marking chalk | C-160 | |
| Allen key, 4 mm | C-156 | |
| Wrench, 46 mm | C-147-1 | |
| Adjustable wrench | C-147-2 | |
| Vernier caliper | C-135 | |
| Attaché case with tray | C-160 | |
| Electric drill machine | C-101-4 | |
1.2. C-102 SV-Kit
Includes a support suction plate and a vacuum pump as auxiliary tools for testing. The suction plate controls the planning, the coring of the center hole and the routing of the recess. The green diamond coring bit is longer than the red one supplied in the preparation kit (C-101-3-1) to accommodate the extra height of the suction plate. There must be sufficient space (350 mm in diameter) and a rather smooth and airtight concrete surface for activation of the suction plate.
| Item | Order # | |
| Vacuum pump | C-102-4 |  |
| Suction plate | C-102-2 |
| Green diamond drill bit | C-101-32 |
| Clamping pliers, 2 pcs | C-102-3 |
| Small screwdriver | C-158 |
| Plastic hose with nipple | C-147 |
| Attaché case | C-161 |
1.3. C-104 CAPO Pull Machine Kit
It includes the 100 kN hydraulic pull machine and accessories. The same pull machine can be used for the BOND TEST and the LOK-TEST (see their technical data sheets).
| Item | Order # | |
| Hydraulic pull machine with electronic gauge | L-11-1 |  |
| AMIGAS printing software | L-13 |
| USB Cable | L-14 |
| Oil refilling cup | L-24 |
| Oil refilling bottle | L-25 |
| Large screwdriver | C-149 |
| Small screwdriver | C-157 |
| Calibration table | L-32 |
| Manual | L-33 |
| Attaché Case | C-104-1 |
2. C-2000 CAPO-TEST Lite.
This compact kit includes all the essential parts to perform a CAPO-TEST properly but without the auxiliary vacuum tools. It contains only one unit to perform both the drilling and surface planning. Ideal for places with difficult access or where the concrete surface is irregular, so it is not feasible to use the auxiliary vacuum accessories.
Item | Order # |  |
CAPO-TEST Lite. Contains all the parts of the: · C-101 CAPO Preparation Kit (except C-101-3) · C-104 CAPO Pull Machine Kit | C-2000 |
Additional items
C-112 Expandable inserts (one per test is used)
L-30 Load Verification Unit
The calibration of a pull machine is recommended to be verified at least once a year, after servicing or after repair.
The L-30 Load Verification Unit has a working range of 0 to 100 kN and ensures that the load displayed by the pull machine is within 2 % of the actual load, as required by ASTM C900. The load is displayed to the nearest 0.1 kN.
In-situ concrete strength.
More documentation is available upon request.
