NON-DESTRUCTIVE
TESTING OF CONCRETE
The standard method of evaluating the quality of
concrete in buildings or structures is to test
specimens cast simultaneously for compressive,
flexural and tensile strengths. The main
disadvantages are that results are not obtained
immediately; that concrete in specimens may
differ from that in the actual structure as a result
of different curing and compaction conditions;
and that strength properties of a concrete
specimen depend on its size and shape.
Although there can be no direct measurement of
the strength properties of structural concrete for
the simple reason that strength determination
involves destructive stresses, several non -
destructive methods of assessment have been
developed. These depend on the fact that certain
physical properties of concrete can be related to
strength and can be measured by non-destructive
methods. Such properties include hardness,
resistance to penetration by projectiles, rebound
capacity and ability to transmit ultrasonic pulses
and X- and Y-rays.
PENETRATION TESTS:
The Windsor probe is generally considered to be the best
means of testing penetration. Equipment consists of a
powder actuated gun or driver, hardened alloy probes,
loaded cartridges, a depth gauge for measuring
penetration of probes and other related equipment. A
probe, diameter 0.25 in. (6.5 mm) and length 3.125 in.
(8.0 cm), is driven into the concrete by means of a
precision powder charge. Depth of penetration provides
an indication of the compressive strength of the
concrete. Although calibration charts are provided by the
manufacturer, the instrument should be calibrated for
type of concrete and type and size of aggregate used.
PENETRATION TEST ON CONCRETE
LIMITATIONS AND ADVANTAGES.
• The probe test produces quite variable results and
should not be expected to give accurate values of
concrete strength.
• It has, however, the potential for providing a quick
means of checking quality and maturity of in situ
concrete.
• It also provides a means of assessing strength
development with curing.
• The test is essentially nondestructive, since concrete
and structural members can be tested in situ, with only
minor patching of holes on exposed faces.
REBOUND HAMMER TESTS
The rebound hammer is a surface hardness tester for
which an empirical correlation has been established
between strength and rebound number. The only known
instrument to make use of the rebound principle for
concrete testing is the Schmidt hammer, which weighs
about 4 lb (1.8 kg) and is suitable for both laboratory
and field work. It consists of a spring-controlled
hammer mass that slides on a plunger within a tubular
housing. The hammer is forced against the surface of the
concrete by the spring and the distance of rebound is
measured on a scale. The test surface can be horizontal,
vertical or at any angle, but the instrument must be
calibrated in this position.
Calibration can be done with cylinders (6 by 12
in., 15 by 30 cm) of the same cement and
aggregate as will be used on the job. The cylinders
are capped and firmly held in a compression
machine. Several readings are taken, well
distributed and reproducible, the average
representing the rebound number for the cylinder.
This procedure is repeated with several cylinders,
after which compressive strengths are obtained.
LIMITATIONS AND ADVANTAGES.
The Schmidt hammer provides an inexpensive, simple
and quick method of obtaining an indication of concrete
strength, but accuracy of ±15 to ±20 percent is possible
only for specimens cast cured and tested under
conditions for which calibration curves have been
established.
The results are affected by factors such as smoothness of
surface, size and shape of specimen, moisture condition
of the concrete, type of cement and coarse aggregate,
and extent of carbonation of surface.
EXPERINCED AND WELL-TRAINED EYES
MAGNETIC METHODS
• Battery operated magnetic devices that are used to
measure depth of reinforcement cover in concrete
• Detect the position of reinforcement bars
• Apparatus is known as COVERMETER
ELECTRICAL METHODS
• To find out moisture content of Hardened Concrete
• Tracing of Moisture Permeation through concrete
• Determination of thickness of Concrete Pavements
ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY TEST
At present the ultrasonic pulse velocity method is the
only one of this type that shows potential for testing
concrete strength in situ. It measures the time of travel
of an ultrasonic pulse passing through the concrete. The
fundamental design features of all commercially
available units are very similar, consisting of a pulse
generator and a pulse receiver. Pulses are generated by
shock-exciting piezo-electric crystals, with similar
crystals used in the receiver. The time taken for the pulse
to pass through the concrete is measured by electronic
measuring circuits.
Pulse velocity tests can be carried out on both laboratory-sized
specimens and completed concrete structures, but some factors
affect measurement:
1. There must be smooth contact with the surface under test; a
coupling medium such as a thin film of oil is mandatory.
2. It is desirable for path-lengths to be at least 12 in. (30 cm) in
order to avoid any errors introduced by heterogeneity.
3. It must be recognized that there is an increase in pulse
velocity at below-freezing temperature owing to freezing of
water; from 5 to 30°C (41 - 86°F) pulse velocities are not
temperature dependent.
4. The presence of reinforcing steel in concrete has an
appreciable effect on pulse velocity. It is therefore desirable and
often mandatory to choose pulse paths that avoid the influence
of reinforcing steel or to make corrections if steel is in the pulse
path.
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
APPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS
The pulse velocity method is an ideal tool for
establishing whether concrete is uniform. It can be used
on both existing structures and those under construction.
Usually, if large differences in pulse velocity are found
within a structure for no apparent reason, there is strong
reason to presume that defective or deteriorated concrete
is present.
High pulse velocity readings are generally indicative of
good quality concrete. A general relation between
concrete quality and pulse velocity is given in Table
Fairly good correlation can be obtained between cube compressive strength
and pulse velocity. These relations enable the strength of structural concrete
to be predicted within ±20 per cent, provided the types of aggregate and
mix proportions are constant.
The pulse velocity method has been used to study the effects on
concrete of freeze-thaw action, sulphate attack, and acidic waters.
Generally, the degree of damage is related to a reduction in pulse
velocity. Cracks can also be detected. Great care should be exercised,
however, in using pulse velocity measurements for these purposes
since it is often difficult to interpret results. Sometimes the pulse does
not travel through the damaged portion of the concrete.
The pulse velocity method can also be used to estimate the rate of
hardening and strength development of concrete in the early stages to
determine when to remove formwork. Holes have to be cut in the
formwork so that transducers can be in direct contact with the
concrete surface. As concrete ages, the rate of increase of pulse
velocity slows down much more rapidly than the rate of development
of strength, so that beyond a strength of 2,000 to 3,000 psi (13.6 to
20.4 MPa) accuracy in determining strength is less than ±20%.
Accuracy depends on careful calibration and use of the same concrete
mix proportions and aggregate in the test samples used for calibration
as in the structure.
