Non-Destructive Testing of Concrete

Introduction
• Comprehensive laboratory correlations have to be established between ‘strength
parameters’ to be predicted and the ‘results of in-situ NDT’. This is to be done for the field
materials.

• In addition to NDT, Semi Destructive Testing (SDT) are also performed.

Commonly adopted NDT methods

• Rebound Hammer Test
• Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
• Rebar Locater Test (Cover meter test)
• Corrosion Analysis Test
• Resistivity Meter Test
• Impact Echo/Pulse Echo Test
• Ground Penetrating Radar Test

Commonly adopted SDT methods

• Concrete Core Test
• Capo Test
• Windsor Probe Test
• Load Test for Flexure Member
• Load Test for Piles

Commonly adopted OTHER methods

• Carbonation Test
• Chloride Determination Test
• Sulphate Determination Test
• Determination of pH
Rebound Hammer:
Testing Principle:
• Load device by pressing the tip of the impact plunger against a solid surface.
• Slide the plunger out the housing until it is fully extended.
• The pressed plunger is against the surface to be tested which fires a percussion weight
against the rear of the plunger & rebounds.

Testing in Progress:
 Fig: Section of Rebound Hammer

Fig: Schematic diagram of operation of rebound hammer

Testing Principle
• The maximum height of rebound is recorded on a scale.
• This value is converted to a compression strength via conversion tables.
Factors influencing test results
a) Mix characteristics
1. Cement type
2. Cement content
3. Coarse aggregate type

b) Member characteristics
1. Mass
2. Compaction
3. Surface type
4. Age, rate of hardening and curing type
5. Surface carbonation
6. Moisture condition
7. Stress state and temperature

• Each of these factors will affect the readings obtained.

• Estimation of concrete strength will be valid only if they are all standardized for the
concrete under test and for the calibration specimens.
Calibration Curve
The influences of the variables described above are so great that it is very unlikely that a
general calibration curve relating rebound number to strength, as provided by the equipment
manufacturers, will be of any practical value.

Strength calibration is based on:

• the particular mix under investigation, and
• the mould surface, curing and age of laboratory specimens
Unless these conditions correspond as closely as possible to the in-place concrete, the
calibration curves cannot give the correct interpretation.
• It is essential that correct functioning of the rebound hammer is checked regularly using a
standard steel anvil of known mass.
• If the rebound hammers used for in-situ testing are not regularly checked against a standard
anvil, the reliability of results may suffer.

Influence of moisture on strength:

• It is well established that the strength of a cube tested wet is likely to be about 10% lower
than the strength of a corresponding cube tested dry.
• Since rebound measurements should be taken on a dry surface, it is recommended that wet
cured cubes be dried in the laboratory for 24 hours before test.

Minimum readings and position:

• When the total number of readings (n) taken at a location is > 10, the accuracy of the mean
rebound number is likely to have a confidence of > 95%.
• The rebound numbers should not be taken too close to the edge of the members, i.e., they
should be atleast 20 mm away from the boundary.

Location of testing:
• The test location within the member is important when interpreting results.
• The test yields information about a thin surface layer only.
• Voids or defects present at large depths do not influence the test results

Fig: Rebound values depend on the hardness of concrete surface

Gives only surface hardness
• Results are unrelated to the properties of the interior since the readings are taken on the
surface.
• Results are not regarded as reliable on concrete more than three months old unless special
steps are taken for allowance of age effects on surface carbonation.

Factors influencing surface hardness

a) Age of concrete
New concrete with moist surface generally has a relatively softer surface, resulting in lower
than normal rebound.
In very old and dry concrete the surface will be harder than the interior, giving rebound values
somewhat higher than normal (carbonation).

b) Carbonation of concrete surface

Carbon dioxide, which is present in the air at around 0.3 per cent by volume, dissolves in
water to form a mildly acidic solution.
This forms within the pores of the concrete, and reacts with the alkaline calcium hydroxide
forming insoluble calcium carbonate.

c) Carbonation of concrete surface

The pH value then drops from more than 12 to about 8.5. It consumes alkalinity and reduces
pore water pH to the 8–9 range. Hence, steel remains no longer passive.

d) Carbonation of concrete surface

Surface carbonation of concrete significantly affect the rebound hammer test results. In old
concrete where the carbonation layer can be upto 20 mm thick, the strength may be
overestimated by 50%.

Average rebound number & quality of concrete

Average Rebound number Quality of concrete
>40 Very good hard layer
30 to 40 Good layer
20 to 30 Fair
<20 Poor concrete
0 Delaminated

Applications and Limitations:

• Checking the uniformity of concrete quality
• Comparing a given concrete with a specified requirement
• Approximate estimation of strength
• Abrasion resistance classification.
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV):

• The first reports of the measurement of the velocity of mechanically generated pulses
through concrete appeared in the USA in the mid-1940s.
• Velocity depends properties of the primarily material upon the elastic and is almost
independent of geometry.
• The potential value of this approach was apparent, but measurement problems were
considerable.
• In France, a few years later this led to the development of repetitive mechanical pulse
equipment.
• Concrete testing is thus at present based largely on pulse velocity measurements using
through transmission techniques.
• The method has become widely accepted around the world. produced robust lightweight
suitable for site as well as
• Commercially equipment are laboratory use.

Specifications of UPV
Equipment
• Consisting of a pulse generator and a pulse receiver.
• Pulses are generated by shock-exciting piezoelectric crystals, with similar crystals used in
the receiver.
• The equipment is robust and is provided with a carrying case for site use.
• The time taken for the pulse to pass through the concrete is measured by electronic
measuring circuits.
• The display is a four-digit liquid crystal and gives a direct transit time reading in
microseconds.
• The measuring equipments are accurate to ± 0.1 microseconds.

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)

• If the method is properly used, a considerable information about the interior of a concrete
member can be obtained.
• Since the range of pulse velocities relating to practical concrete qualities is relatively small
(3.0 – 4.8 km/s), great care is necessary, especially for site usage.

Transducer arrangement
Three basic ways in which the transducers may be arranged:
• Opposite faces (direct transmission)
• Adjacent faces (semi-direct transmission)
• Same face (indirect transmission)
The type of pulse waves received by the transducer changes in each of these cases
Opposite faces (direct transmission)

• Longitudinal waves with particle displacement in the direction of (also known Travel as
compression waves)
• Most important since these are the fastest and generally provide more useful information.
• The maximum pulse energy is transmitted at right angles to the face of the transmitter.
• This is the most reliable from the point of view of transit time measurement
• The path is clearly defined and can be measured accurately.
• This approach should be used wherever possible for assessing concrete quality.

Adjacent faces (semi-direct transmission)

• Shear or transverse waves with displacement at particle right angles to the direction of
travel are less faster.
• Can be used sometimes satisfactorily if the angle between the transducers is not too great,
and if the path length is not too large.
• The sensitivity will be smaller.
• The path length is generally regarded as distance from centre to centre of transducer faces.
Same face (indirect transmission)
• Surface waves having an elliptical particle displacement are the slowest.
• The indirect method is definitely the least satisfactory, since the received signal amplitude
may be less than 3% of that for a comparable direct transmission.
• The pulse velocity will be predominantly influenced by the surface zone concrete, which
may not be representative of the body
• The exact path length is uncertain.

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

Pulse velocity tests can be carried out on both laboratory-sized specimens and completed
concrete structures.

Factors affecting measurement:

• There must be smooth contact with the surface under test; a coupling medium such as thin
film of oil, petroleum jelly, liquid soap or grease is mandatory.
• It is desirable for path lengths to be at least 300 mm in order to avoid any errors introduced
by heterogeneity.
• There is an increase in pulse velocity at below freezing temperature owing to freezing of
water; from 5 to 30°C pulse velocities are not temperature dependent.
• 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.
Velocity criterion for concrete quality grading (IS 1311 - Part 1)
Sl. No. Pulse velocity in cross Concrete
probing (km/sec) quality grading
1 Above 4.5 Excellent
2 3.5 to 4.5 Good
3 3.0 to 3.5 Medium
4 Below 3.0 Doubtful
• UPV method is an ideal tool for establishing uniformity of concrete.
• Large differences in pulse velocity is indicative of defects or deterioration in concrete.
• High pulse velocity readings are generally indicative of good quality concrete.

Why UPV ?
• Evaluating the uniformity within a member
• Locating internal voids and cracks
• Estimating severity of deterioration
• Estimating depth of fire damage
• Evaluating effectiveness of crack repairs
• Identifying anomalous regions in drilled cores
• Estimate early-age strength (with correlation)

CONCRETE CORE CUTTER

• Vibration-free, precise and robust instruments
• Drilling Tools have diamond bits
• Wet drilling or dry drilling
• Effective, low-vibration economical working
GDB 1600 WE- DIAMOND CONCRETE CUTTER

• Dia. : In concrete: 30-82 mm

In masonry: 52-132 mm (with suction head)
• Power input : 1600 W
• No-load Speed: 1st & 2nd gear : 980 & 2400rpm
• Weight : 5.9 kg

S 500 A – DRILLSTAND

• Drill Stroke : 500 mm

• Column length : 1000 mm
• Weight : 12.5 kg
PULL OUT TEST:
• The fundamental principle behind pull out testing is that the test equipment designed to a
specific geometry will produce results (pull-out forces) that closely correlate to the
compressive strength of concrete.
• This correlation is achieved by measuring the force required to pull a steel disc or ring,
embedded in fresh concrete, against a circular counter pressure placed on the concrete
surface concentric with the disc/ring.

Types of Pull out test:

Depending upon the placement of disc/ring in the fresh concrete, pull out test can be divided
into 2 types,
1. LOK test
2. CAPO test (Cut and Pull out Test)

1. LOK TEST:
The LOK-TEST system is used to obtain a reliable estimate of the in-place
strength of concrete in newly cast structures in accordance with the pullout test method
described in ASTM C900, BS 1881:207.
• A steel disc, 25 mm in diameter at a depth of 25 mm, is pulled centrally against a 55 mm
diameter counter pressure ring bearing on the surface.
• The force F required to pullout the insert is measured. The concrete in the strut between
the disc and the counter pressure ring is subjected to a compressive load.
• Therefore the pullout force F is related directly to the compressive strength.
2. CAPO TEST:

• The CAPO-TEST permits performing pullout tests on existing structures without the need of
preinstalled inserts.
• CAPO-TEST provides a pullout test system similar to the LOK-TEST system for accurate on-site
estimates of compressive strength.
• When selecting the location for a CAPO-TEST, ensure that reinforcing bars are not within the failure
region.
• The surface at the test location is ground using a planning tool and a 18.4 mm hole is made
perpendicular to the surface using a diamond-studded core bit.
• A recess (slot) is routed in the hole to a diameter of 25 mm and at a depth of 25 mm.

• A split ring is expanded in the recess and pulled out using a pull machine reacting against a 55 mm diameter counter
pressure ring.
• As in the LOKTEST, the concrete in the strut between the expanded ring and the counter pressure ring is in
compression.
• Hence, the ultimate pullout force F is related directly to compressive strength.
Relationship between the pullout force and compressive strength:

USES
• Determine in-situ compressive strength of the concrete
• Ascertain the strength of concrete for carrying out post tensioning operations.
• Determine the time of removal of forms and shores based on actual in-situ strength of the structure.
• Terminate curing based on in-situ strength of the structure.
• It can be also used for testing repaired concrete sections.
Tests for Carbonation of Concrete:
• Carbonation of concrete in cover results in loss of protection to the steel against corrosion.
• The depth of carbonation can be measured by spraying the freshly fractured concrete
surface with a 0.2% solution of phenolphthalein in ethanol.

• Since Phenolphthalein is a pH indicator, the magenta (pink colour) area presents

uncarbonated concrete and the remaining (colourless) portion, the carbonated area.
• The change in colour occurs at around pH 10 of concrete.
• The test must be exposed surfaces, applied only to freshly because reaction with
atmospheric carbon dioxide starts immediately.
• Relating carbonation depth to concrete cover is one of the main indicators of corrosion.
• The presence of chloride in the concrete is the contributory factor towards corrosion of
reinforcement.
• Portable equipments are available in the market, which can be used for rapid on-site
measurement of chloride content of concrete.
• The chloride content of concrete can also be determined by chemical analysis of concrete
in the laboratory.
• A rotary percussion drill is used to collect a pulverized sample of concrete and a special acid
extracts the chlorides.
• Different samples are obtained from different concrete depths, to establish the chloride
contamination in the concrete.
Test for Sulphate Content in Concrete
• The quantity of suphates in concrete is determined generally by well-defined chemical
analysis in the laboratory.
• This test will be carried out on the concrete samples collected from the members at
different depths.
• The results are expressed in terms of percentage of sulphates by weight of concrete.
• Presence of high amount of sulphates will result in reaction of calcium present in cement
with sulphates.
• This results in expansion and disruption of concrete - leads to corrosion of rebars.

Determination of pH
• The level of pH in concrete is determined generally by well-defined chemical analysis in the
laboratory.
• This test will be carried out on concrete samples collected from the members (at different
depths).
• The level of pH in concrete will indicate the status of corrosion of rebars in concrete.

Concluding Remarks:
• The availability of wide range of NDT devices has made it easier to monitor quality or distress
or durability of concrete structures.
• The NDT devices have proved to be reliable and invaluable.
• Depending on the requirement, any two or more tests are to be conducted to get the
required information regarding the quality / strength of concrete.
• Interpretation of test results requires competent persons to arrive at acceptable evaluation
of concrete regarding its quality and strength.