ACRS has recently commissioned a number of relaxation testing rigs. This represents an investment in ensuring the availability of this important testing that provides further assurance into the long-term behaviour of product supplied.

These relaxation test rigs will be used for the independent testing and verification of relaxation for pre-stressing and post-tensioned strand, commonly referred to as “strand”, used in pre-stressed/post-tensioned concrete applications.

While all manufactured steel regularly undergoes batch testing, until now independent relaxation testing was conducted at only a limited number of laboratories, with each test running for up to 6 weeks, restricting availability. ACRS took the strategic decision to increase the capacity of this type of testing, providing additional confidence in certified products, and to that end has commissioned a number of test rigs to improve efficiency; control costs; and provide even greater assurance to specifiers and end users.

The new rigs are now housed at a NATA-accredited laboratory in NSW, with the laboratory operating as an independent body. Testing is carried out to the requirements of AS4672. The purpose of the rigs is to verify the long-term relaxation performance of strand, ensuring compliance with Australian and international standards. This new capacity enables ACRS to increase its surveillance and independent testing of strand manufacturers.

This move reflects ACRS’ ongoing commitment to technical excellence, independence, and continuous improvement in steel certification processes, while delivering value for money for certified suppliers and manufacturers.