Mundic Analysis
In-house investigations into concrete’s structural integrity from the South West’s environmental and mining consultancy one stop shop.
Cornwall and parts of Devon have seen centuries of extensive mining activity. Between 1900 and 1965, mine waste was widely used as a low cost and readily available aggregate, one that builders and blockmakers could not have anticipated would cause potential long term problems.
Minerals commonly found in mine waste, including pyrite (or mundic as it is also known), can decay over time and cause a slow chemical reaction resulting in concrete deterioration. Powdering and crumbling can cause weakening of concrete and mortar, and even structural failure in rare cases.
Building materials containing mundic were also transported and used outside mining areas. Blocks were mixed with others and now appear across housing estates and in patches within individual properties, small developments or extensions.
Today mortgage lenders require assurance that a property will survive for the period of the loan and property buyers need to know that the property is mortgageable. A series of tests that can involve up to three stages, mundic testing is undertaken by chartered surveyors to predict the potential behaviour of concrete over time when assessing properties and making recommendations to lenders.
As the only consultancy in Cornwall and Devon that carries out all three stages of analysis in-house, Wheal Jane is well-placed to conduct an extensive specialist mundic analysis service.
Contact us today to learn more about the surveying and testing process for mundic or to arrange a test.
