BRE Screed Tester

The BRE Drop Hammer Test is carried out to identify whether the set and hardened screed is strong enough to withstand the traffic in service, without breaking down. The test can be effectively used for assessing the requirement for remedial measures in cases where the mix proportions, mixing or compaction are suspected to be inadequate.

In accordance with BS8204, the BRE drop hammer test is carried out by subjecting the screed to repeated impact blows by dropping an annular weight vertically down a guide on to a hardened steel anvil which is in contact with the screed surface. The depth of the indentation from the resulting impact after four blows is measured to assess the 'soundness of the screed' or its ability to carry traffic without crushing under the imposed weight.

The BRE Tester is designed to measure the soundness of a sand / cement floor screed as early as 14 days after laying. The device consists of a 1 metre long, cylindrical guide rod, along which an annular weight of 4 kg (or 2kg) travels when released. At the bottom of the guide rod the weight strikes the collar of a case-hardened steel anvil which transmits the impact to the selected area of the screed. Four successive impact blows on the same spot are sufficient to test the soundness of the screed.

The depth of indentation is measured with an digital depth gauge.

Guidance is given on the use of the screed tester for testing floating screeds using a 2kg annular weight in place of the 4kg weight normally used. This weight is supplied as a standard part of the screed tester kit.

The Screed Tester comes complete with a compliance certificate to BS 8204.