NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

OF CONCRETE
INTRODUCTION :

• The usual way of testing concrete is by means

of casting cubes and then crushing them.
• The quality of product in the field is checked
by non-destructive methods.
• The main advantage is determination of
concrete properties without damage.
NEED FOR TESTING :

• Monitoring long-term changes in material

properties and structural performance.
• To check for the workmanship.
• For remedial schemes and repairs.
• To check for design specification.
 TYPES OF
TESTING :
TESTING

NON-
DESTRUCTIVE DESTR
DESTRUCTIVE

SEMI / PARTIAL DESTRUCTIVE TEST

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING :

Common Methods:
1. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
2. Rebound Hammer Test
3. Cover Meter Test
1. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test :

• used to assess the quality and strength of in-

situ concrete in structural members.

• used to check the compaction of concrete,

uniformity of concrete, determination of
cracks, presence of honeycombs, level of
deterioration and also strength estimation
(qualitatively).
Contd/……
PUNDIT (Portable Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Digital
Indicating Tester)

• consists of a pair of transducers (probes) of

different frequencies, electrical pulse generator,
electrical timing device and cables.

• It is based on the through-transmission

technique.
 Portable Ultrasonic Nondestructive Digital
Indicative Technique (PUNDIT)
Size: 180 X 110 X 160mm
Weight: 3kg
Digital display with Accuracy ±0.1 microseconds
METHODS OF TESTING :

1. Direct transmission

2. Indirect transmission

3. Semi-direct transmission
DIRECT TRANSMISSION :

• Pulse velocity will be measured in concrete by

placing transducers across the member
exactly opposite to each other.

• This is the most appropriate & reliable method

of testing to ascertain the quality / strength of
concrete.
DIRECT TRANSMISSION OF
PULSE ACROSS R.C BEAM
.. •

•
f
INDIRECT TRANSMISSION :

• Pulse velocity will be measured in concrete by

placing transducers on the same plane of members.

• This is the least reliable method of testing to

ascertain the quality / strength of concrete. This
method will be adopted only when there is no other
option.
INDIRECT TRANSMISSION OF PULSE
IN R.C.DECK

I
SEMI-DIRECT TRANSMISSION :

• Pulse velocity will be measured in concrete by

placing transducers in planes perpendicular to each
other.

• This is a moderately reliable method of testing to

ascertain the quality / strength of concrete.
•• 0 •
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SEMI-DIRECT TRANSMISSION OF PULSE

IN R.C.DECK
'
Method of calculation of pulse velocity :

Velocity = (Distance travelled / Path length)

Time taken

Pulse Velocity in concrete will be represented

in Km/sec.

Appropriate correction factors to be applied

depending on site condition & factors
influencing velocity of pulse.
 QUALITY GRADING CHART :

Pulse Velocity Concrete Quality

(kM/sec) Grading (as per IS:13311
(Part-1)-1992)
Below 3.0 Doubtful
3.1 to 3.5 Medium
3.5 to 4.5 Good
Above 4.5 Excellent
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE VELOCITY
OF PULSE IN CONCRETE :

• Type & content of cement

• Influence of reinforcement
• Use of admixtures
• Type & size of aggregates
• Homogeneity & density of concrete
• Age of concrete
• Presence of voids / cavities in concrete
• Cracks in concrete
• Curing of concrete, etc.,
APPLICATIONS :

• Measurement of concrete uniformity

• Detection of cracking and honeycombing
• Strength estimation
• Assessment of concrete deterioration
• Measurement of layer thickness
• Measurement of elastic modulus
• Strength development monitoring.
2. REBOUND HAMMER TEST :
• It is a quick method for assessing the quality of
concrete based on surface hardness indicated by
the Rebound number.

• An higher rebound value indicates the higher

strength / surface hardness of concrete.

• This equipment works based on the spring

controlled hammer slides on a plunger within a
tubular housing.
 Figure: Rebound Hammer.

Weight < 2Kg

Impact Energy = 2.2Nm
Suitability 20 – 60 MPa
Figure: Testing by Rebound Hammer
METHODS OF TESTING :

Depending on the position of the rebound hammer

1. Horizontal
2. Vertically upwards
3. Vertically downwards
4. Inclined vertical upwards
5. Inclined vertical downwards
-
POSITION OF REBOUND HAMMER -
VERTICAL DOWNWARDS
METHOD OF CALCULATION :

•Average rebound number will be calculated

after exclusion of freak values and applying
necessary correction factor for position of
Rebound Hammer.
•To evaluate the strength of concrete based on
the rebound numbers, an appropriate calibration
chart shall be established based on the laboratory
tests.
Fig. 3 Cube Compressive Strength In N/mm•
plotted against the Rebound Number

Type N -, e...:t Hammer

20 25 30 35 410 415 so e~
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55
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F
20 t.-
25 :::?O 35 40. 45 50

Tho curves an pry to com pact Portland come nt concreto '-'Vith good
quality gravel/sand aggregate. Age 14 to 56 days. Smooth and dry
concrete surface.

VV m = mos t I 1 '-( I y v:. r u e of· th o cu b a co rn p r c s s iv e st :-e n g t h in NI m m ~.

c
Tho dispersion lini its V'llmax. and V'llniin. n:-e so defined thot they
i rr c t o cl o 80 percc~t of all tho test results.

Note under Section IV .. Limits of Volidity of the Calib:-ation Curves"!

FACTORS AFFECTING THE REBOUND
HAMMER TEST RESULTS :

Mix characteristics
(a) Cement type
(b) Cement content
(c) Coarse aggregate type.
Member characteristics
(a) Mass
(b) Compaction
(c) Surface type
(d) Rate of hardening and curing type
3. COVER METER TEST :

• Used for locating, mapping and thickness

gauging of cover provided for embedded rebars
in concrete.

• Equipment used Profometer works on

electromagnetic principles. The equipment
consists of display unit coupled with probes of
different types.
ESTIMATION OF COVER AND MAPPING
OF REBARS IN ABUTMENT
 ESTIMATION OF COVER AND
MAPPING OF REBARS IN BEAM
LIMITATIONS OF THE EQUIPMENT :

• Only peripheral rebars can be detected

• Second layer (if any) of rebar's cannot be detected

• The accuracy of the diameter of rebar will vary

generally in the range of 10 to 20%

• The actual numbers and position of rebars cannot

be located if the rebars are closely spaced in one
location
CONCLUSIONS :

1. There are number of tests such as Non-

Destructive, Semi/Partial Destructive and
Destructive tests that in practice to evaluate
structural members.

2. Depending on data required, site conditions,

structural member conditions, etc., any one of
them or combination of the above can be used
to ascertain the status of member
contd..

3. All these test procedures will give very good

information about the condition of the structural
members.

4. It is very important to achieve most accurate and

reliable results, for which the person who
operates the equipments should be technically
sound and shall have good experience.
THANK YOU