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METHOD STATEMENT
ADVANCED NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING FOR CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF RCC
STRUCTURE/STEEL STRUCTURE/MASONRY STRUCTURE

1.0 FOR IN-SITU COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

1.1 Cut and Pull out (CAPO) test [ASTM C900, BS-1881: Part 207 and EN-
12504-3]
1.1 Principle: The surface at the test location is ground flat and a 18.4 mm hole
is cored perpendicular to the surface. A recess (slot) is routed in the hole to a
diameter of 25 mm. A split ring is expanded in the recess and pulled out using a
pull machine reacting against 55 mm diameter counter pressure ring. 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. The test is performed until the conic frustum between the
expanded ring and the inner diameter of the counter pressure is dislodged. Thus
there is minor surface damage, which should be repaired for aesthetic reasons or
to avoid potential durability problems.
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1.2 Rebound Hammer Test (IS 516 Part-5 Sec-4)
Principle
Rebound Hammer test helps to assess the approximate compressive strength of
concrete by measuring the hardness of surface concrete.
This is a surface hardness test and consists of essentially impacting the concrete
surface in a rebound hammer of known impact energy. A rebound hammer is a
device that hits the concrete with a spring-driven pin at a defined energy, and
then measures the rebound (in rebound units). Its rebound is dependent on the
hardness of the concrete and is measured by test equipment. Before carrying out
a rebound hammer test, it is important to clean and smoothen the concrete
surface.
It should be noted that rebound hammer reflects the concrete quality on the
surface only. However, the Rebound hammer values provide a quick and
inexpensive means of checking the quality of concrete. It has many serious
limitations, which should be recognized. The main factors that affect the readings
are as follows:
 Age of concrete
 Size of aggregates
 Surface Texture
 Carbonation
 Concrete Mix Characteristics
 Moisture Content
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Although the rebound hammer test is used for estimation of concrete strength,
even in the best of situations it is unlikely to estimate strengths with an accuracy
better than 25%.

2.0 FOR HOMOGENEITY/INTEGRITY OF CONCRETE

2.1 Ultra Sonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) Test AS Per IS 516 Part 5 Sec-1:
UPV test measures the speed of sound waves in concrete. UPV test provides very
useful information regarding presence of cracks, honey combing and therefore
homogeneity of concrete.
Principle:
Ultra-sonic Pulse Velocity (USPV) test is a wave propagation test and consists of
transmitting ultrasonic pulses through concrete and measuring the transit time.
The path length (usually the thickness of concrete member) divided by the transit
time gives the velocity which is usually expressed in km/sec and can be correlated
to concrete quality.
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USPV values can be interpreted to assess the condition of concrete with regards
to its homogeneity, integrity, presence of voids, and relative quality of concrete
within or between the members (columns). In this investigation, UPV values have
been interpreted to make a Qualitative assessment with regard to homogeneity &
integrity of concrete. Concrete quality can be appraised as `excellent', `good' or
`doubtful'. The meanings of the term `excellent', `good' and `doubtful' are based
on ultrasonic pulse velocity measured at site and are as per the nomenclature of
IS-516-part-5sec1-2018. The relevant table is reproduced here in table-1 for the
purpose of reference.
Table 1: Velocity Criterion for Concrete Quality Grading for >M25,
[Ref: IS-516-part-5 sec 1-2018]
Concrete Quality
S. No USPV by Cross Probing (km/sec)
Grading
1 Above 4.5 Excellent
2 3.75 - 4.5 Good
3 Below 3.75 Doubtful

Table 2: Velocity Criterion for Concrete Quality Grading for <M25,

USPV by Cross Probing Concrete Quality
S. No
(km/sec) Grading
1 Above 4.5 Excellent
2 3.75 - 4.5 Good
3 Below 3.75 Doubtful
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2.2 Impulse Response Test (as per ASTM C 1740):
Testing is performed on a grid marked on the surface of the structure. The
s’MASH software constructs colour contour plots of the various parameters, from
which it is easy to identify anomalous regions of the structure that merit detailed
investigation.

Data Acquisition
Shown on the right is the result of one test
as displayed on the computer with the
s’MASH software. The top left window is the
force-time curve obtained from the impact
of the instrumented hammer. The top right
window shows the velocity-time curve
obtained from the geophone in contact with
the concrete surface. The figure in the lower
window is the mobility plot obtained from
the previous two waveforms.
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Methodology and Interpretation of Results
Typical mobility plot for different types of flaws as detected from s’MASH Impulse
response test at each test location is as given below
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2.3 Impact Echo Test (As per ASTM C 1383):
Principle: A short-duration stress pulse is introduced into the member by
mechanical impact. This impact generated three types of stress waves that
propagate away from the impact point. A surface wave (R- wave) travels along
the top surface, and a P wave and an S-wave travel into the member. In
impact echo testing, the P-wave is used to obtain information about the
member.

When the P-wave reaches the back side of the member, it is reflected and
travels back to the surface where the impact was generated. A sensitive
displacement transducer next to the impact point picks up the disturbance due
to the arrival of the P-wave. The P-wave is then reflected back into the member
and the cycle begins again. Thus the P-wave undergoes multiple reflections
between the two surfaces. The recorded waveform of surface displacement
has a periodicity related to the thickness of the member and the wave speed.
The displacement waveform is transformed into the frequency domain, by which
the frequency of P wave arrival is determined. The thickness (T) of the member
is related to the thickness frequency (f) and wave speed (Cp) by this simple
equation
T=Cp/2f
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Application:
IET can be used for the following applications:
• Measure the thickness of pavements, asphalt overlays, plate-like concrete
elements like slabs or walls, etc.
• Detect the presence and depth of voids and honeycombing in Concrete Wall
or Slab
• Detect voids below slabs-on-ground
• Evaluate the quality of grout injection in post-tensioning cable ducts or joints
for precast elements
• Integrity of a membrane below an asphalt overlay protecting structural
concrete
• Delamination surveys of bridge decks, piers, cooling towers, chimneystacks,
etc.
• Detect debonding of overlays and patches
• Detect ASR damage and freezing-and-thawing damage
• Measure the depth of surface-opening cracks
• Estimate early-age strength development (with proper correlation)
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4.0 References

ASTM C 1383 Standard Test Method for Impact Echo

Equipment Use
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3.0 REBAR DETAILING FOR RCC STRUCTURE
3.1 Covermeter Test/Profoscope (As per BS 1881:204):
To ensure correct location and cover to reinforcing bars after concrete placement,
investigation of concrete members for which records are not available or need to
be checked, location of reinforcement as a preliminary to some other form of
testing in which reinforcement should be avoided or its nature taken into account

Principle
The covermeter (Profoscope+) uses electromagnetic pulse induction
technology to detect rebars. Coils in the probe are periodically charged by current
pulses and thus generate a magnetic field.
On the surface of any electrically conductive material which is in the magnetic

field eddy currents are produced. They induce a magnetic field in opposite
direction. The resulting change in voltage can be utilized for the measurement.
Picture : Magnetic field formed during scanning
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Procedure
The covermeter is switched on and the meter adjusted far from the reinforced
concrete surface and in such a way that any other external effects on the
magnetic field are at a minimum.

Covermeter is moved perpendicular to rebar axis such that the axis of the
reinforcement lies within the centre line through the poles of cover meter.

The search head is traversed systematically across the concrete and, where
reinforcement is located until a position of maximum disturbance of the
electromagnetic field is indicated by the meter.

Picture: Covermeter Test being conducted

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3.2 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
3.2.1 Principle: GPRs use radio-waves which are electromagnetic waves that
can penetrate into solid objects and get reflected from changes inside the objects.
The speed of radio waves inside the solid depends on electro-magnetic property
of the material which can be defined to an extent by the di-electric of the
material. For the materials of same electro-magnetic properties and for a given
GPR, the depth of penetration depends on the frequency and wavelength of the
radio-waves. Higher the frequency, lesser is the depth of penetration, but higher
is the resolution. Similarly, lower is the frequency, deeper is the depth of
penetration but lower is the resolution. Therefore, it becomes important to
define the optimum depths and select the correct frequency antenna that can
provide meaningful data.
Applications:
 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is based on the transmission and reception
of electromagnetic pulses.
 It is a NDT method that guarantees minimal disruption to your structures.
 GPR offers high-resolution imaging, allowing you to detect rebar in the
concrete etc.
 Pavement thickness measurements

Relative Permittivity
Radars measure in nanoseconds time. To turn this into depths measured in
meters and centimetres or feet and inches, it is necessary to calibrate the
transmission velocity through the ground. The relative permittivity (Er) is a direct
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measure of the ability of the concrete (or other medium being surveyed) to hold
charge and is inversely related to the transmission velocity. This value is therefore
used to set the on-screen depth estimate.
The table below shows suitable values of Relative Permittivity (Er) for different
survey materials.

Depth and Timesweep (Tsweep)

The Timesweep (or Tsweep) is the two-way travel time for the signal to pass from
the transmitter to the target and reflect back to the receiver. Except at shallow
depths, Tsweep is therefore equivalent to twice the depth, measured in
nanoseconds.
Translating a depth into a nanosecond setting on the radar depends on a
reasonably accurate measurement of the transmission velocity. The transmission
velocity, in turn, depends upon the electromagnetic properties of the material
and, in particular, its moisture content, if any. This is because moisture present in
the concrete (or other survey medium) slows down the transmission significantly.
In practice, in order to set up the radar appropriately, it is sufficient to know the
depth to which we wish to probe and to have some idea of the likely transmission
properties.
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Starting from Speed = Distance/Time, the calculation required to determine
Tsweep is Time = (Depth x 2)/Speed. Both depth and speed can be estimated. In
the case of the depth, this is usually supplied by the client requiring a survey, for
example, clearance to a certain depth. It is good practice to allow a margin in
excess of the depth in order to allow for the slowing effect of any moisture
present unless there is information to suggest that this is not necessary.

The transmission speed depends directly on the electromagnetic properties of the

material, specifically the relative permittivity. The equivalent approximate speeds
of transmission for the materials are shown below.

Approximate Transmission Velocities (in metres/nanosecond) for a Range of

Materials
For dry soils or concrete over 3 months old, Table below shows appropriate depth
settings in nanoseconds. These settings are not appropriate for all frequencies of
antenna since the actual depth achieved depends both on the wavelength and
also the soil properties.
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Depth Settings in Nanoseconds for Dry Soil/Mature concrete

Depth of Influence
The 1.5 GHz GPR antenna used in the survey allows penetration depths up to
500mm from concrete surface which corresponds to Timesweep of 10ns.
EQUIPMENT USE

2D GRAPH FOR REBAR/ISMB/STEEL GIRDER

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3D GRAPH FOR REBAR/ISMB/STEEL GIRDER

4.0 FOR CORROSION ASSESSMENT

4.1 Half Cell Potential Test: (ASTM C876)
Half Cell test measure the potential difference between the concrete cover and
the reinforcement vis-à-vis a Cu/CuSo4 electrode. This test provides very useful
information about the presence or absence of active corrosion in concrete.

Half-Cell Potential method is an electro-chemical method that evaluates the

potential of corrosion activity taking place in the steel reinforcement. As corrosion
takes place there is a flow of electrons and ions. At active sites on the bar, called
anodes, iron atoms lose electrons and move into the surrounding concrete as
ferrous ions. Thus oxidation reaction occurs at anode. The electrons move
through the bar to cathode where they combine with the water and oxygen in the
concrete and is the reduction reaction occurs. Thus a potential difference exists
between rebar and concrete electrolyte at electrode across the electrical double
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layer. This potential is called electrode potential. It is known that electrode
potential at anode is more negative than that at cathode. Absolute value of
electrode potential cannot be measured but the same can be measured relative
to any standard reference electrode. From the measured potential possible
anodic sites can be differentiated from cathodic sites based on empirically
determined risk of corrosion
Table 3: Corrosion Risk Based on Half-cell potential values
Half Cell Potential (mV) Cu-Cu/SO4 Corrosion Risk
Greater than -200 10% Risk
Between -200 to -350 50% Risk
Lower than -350 90% Risk

Pic.3: The corrosion process Pic.4: Schematic of the Half Cell Potential test
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4.2 Carbonation Test [ As BS EN 14630]:
Carbonation test is a quick method to evaluate the susceptibility steel
reinforcement in RCC structures to corrosion due to carbonation of cover
concrete.
The natural alkalinity in concrete provides a protective layer against corrosion.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) in air reacts with the Calcium salts, resulting in reducing pH
of concrete to below 9. This reaction is termed as Carbonation. When the
carbonation front reaches the steel reinforcement, the passive oxidation layer of
steel is broken, making the steel reinforcement susceptible to corrosion. The
depth of carbonation is determined using phenolphthalein as an indicator. As a
pH indicator, for pH above 9, Phenolphthalein changes colour from colourless to
Pink.
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5.0 Crack Depth and Width Measurement [IS 516 Part-5-Sec-1]:

Crack Depth:

The Crack Depth is calculated by using the principle of acoustic diffraction of

ultrasound waves. In order to measure the depth of crack, the transducers are
positioned on the surface in a line across the crack. The average depth of crack is
calculated by measuring the transit time at different distances of transducers
from the crack, viz at 100mm, 150mm and 200mm as shown in the figure below.
The general principal and formula behind measurement of crack depth of surface
opening cracks using ultrasonic method is given below
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However, crack depth "h" in mm when transducers are kept at a distance of x and
2x is:

When
x = 100mm
T1 = is the transit time recorded for transducer distance = 100mm and
T2 = is the transit time recorded for transducer distance = 200mm

Our instrument averages measurements at various transducer distances to arrive

at crack depth for each test location.
Instrument Used:
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Crack Depth Gauge Model TC 200 is used to measure the crack depth. The crack
depth is calculated automatically in this instrument.

Crack Width:

The crack width is measured by comparing the width of crack against markings of
known widths on a crack width ruler.
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4.0 FOR PILE FOUNDATION:
4.1 Cross Hole Sonic Integrity Test ( AS per ASTM D 6760):
Introduction:
This test method covers procedures for checking the homogeneity and integrity of
concrete in deep foundation such as bored piles, drilled shafts, concrete piles or
auger cast piles.
This method can also be extended to diaphragm walls, barrettes, dams etc. In this
test method, all the above will be designated “deep foundation elements.” The
test measures the propagation time and relative energy of an ultrasonic pulse
between parallel access ducts (crosshole) or in a single tube (single hole) installed
in the deep foundation element. This method is most applicable when performed
in tubes that are installed during construction.

References
i) ASTM D 6760 – 16 Standard Test Method for Integrity Testing of
Concrete Deep Foundations by Ultrasonic Crosshole Testing
ii) “Defect Analysis for CSL Testing by G Likins, F Rauche, K Webster and
A Klensey, presented at GSP 158 Contemporary Issues in Deep
Foundations”
iii) Acceptance criteria for bored piles by ultrasonic Testing by Joram
M. Amir, Erez I. Amir, and Conrad W. Felice, presented at 7th
International Conference on the Application of Stresswave Theory to
Piles, Kuala Lumpur 2004
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Principle of CSL Test
CSL establishes the homogeneity and integrity of concrete in a deep foundation
and identifies
anomalies, such as voids or soil intrusions, within the structure of foundation.
CSL testing involves placing a transmitter and receiver down pre-installed,
parallel, water filled access tubes (Fig. 5.1) installed in various combinations
across the drilled shaft. As the ultrasonic transmitter and receiver (maintained at
equal elevations) are pulled up the shaft, ultrasonic pulses are sent across the
shaft and recorded at set intervals by a data acquisition system. A typical
source/receiver arrangement for a drilled shaft is shown in Fig. 5.2

Access

Section of Drilled Shaft

Fig 5.1
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In a nominal foundation with uniform, "good" quality concrete, the acoustic travel
time between equidistant tubes will be relatively constant over the depth of the
foundation. P-wave velocities for good concrete are usually between 3600m/s to
4400 m/s. Sudden decrease in sonic-velocity (measured as increase in First Arrival
Time (FAT) values) from the local average, accompanied by decreases in the signal
energy, indicate a departure from uniform concrete quality.
The processed FAT data and Energy attenuation are plotted versus depth as a
graphical representation of the ultrasonic profile of the tested structure.
The FAT and Energy Attenuation signals are then nested to produce a separate
waterfall graph for a better understanding and interpretation of the test results.
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Preparing for CSL Testing
Providing Access Tubes:
Preparing drilled-shaft foundations for CSL testing is a simple process. The
contractor (NCC Ltd.) in this project shall supply and install tubes around the
perimeter of the reinforcement cage that is installed in the drilled shaft(s) to be
tested. These tubes provide the transmitter and receiver probes with access to
the full foundation length from top to bottom. The specifications and installation
access tubes are described in this chapter
Access Tube Specifications
Access tubes for CSL tests should be of mild steel having ID no less than 45mm to
permit the top-to-bottom free and unobstructed movement of transducers. The
wall thickness of access tube should preferably be 3mm or more. In no case the
wall thickness of access tube shall be less than 2mm.

Using access tubes with too thin wall thickness results in increased changes of
bending and damage to access tubes preventing testing to full depths. This also
increases the chances of transducers getting caught in the tube which is a major
loss of time and money for the testing agency.

The internal surfaces of the tubes must be clean and free of corrosion, defects
and obstructions. The tubes should have closed bottom ends. Prior to CSL testing,
tubes should have removable caps at the surface to prevent entry of foreign
material which could obstruct the tube.
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Tube extension
When tube extension is required, then the joint should be made by steel couplers
that are watertight. Rubber couples should not be used as these considerably
decrease the ID of tube at joints and are prone to damage.
Tube bonding with concrete
Good bonding between the tube and concrete is an important consideration. If
de-bonding should
occur, CSL data quality can be negatively affected. Therefore, external tube
surfaces must be clean and free from contamination to ensure good bond
between the concrete and the tubes.
Use of Plastic Tubes
Use of plastic tubes is not recommended because of the following reasons
i) Poor bonding with concrete,
ii) Prone to breaking and damage
iii) Difficult to align vertically during installation.
iv) Difficult to get a good water tight joint in extensions
Number of Tubes

The general guide, is to install one access tube per foot of shaft diameter (or one
tube per 0.25 to 0.30 meters of shaft diameter) while maintaining equal spacing
around the circumference. The figure 6.1 illustrates typical tube configurations
and CSL transmitter-receiver ray paths that select tube configurations allow.
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Installation of Tubes
The following general guidelines describe the installation of the access tubes and
outline the sequential timing of the operations.
Pre-construction Planning: Before construction begins, confirm with the project
engineer the specified tube composition and dimension along with proposed
method of tube installation.
Tube Preparation: Fit access tubes with watertight cap on bottom and removable
cap on top. Any couplers used to make full-length tubes must also be watertight.
Attaching Tubes to Reinforcing Cage:
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Wire-tie tubes to interior of cage at regular intervals along its length (e.g., every
one meter) to maintain tube alignment during cage lifting, lowering and concrete
placement. Tubes should be as vertical and parallel to each other as possible.
Non-vertical or non-parallel tubes can adversely affect CSL data.

The access tubes should be installed such that their bottom is close to the bottom
of the concrete foundation thereby allowing the foundation's bottom condition
can be tested.
The generally accepted practice is to place tubes 150mm above shaft bottoms
and extend the tubes0.75 to 1m above what will be the top of concrete.

Access tubes placed on the reinforcement cage should have a minimum concrete
cover of one tube diameter.
Use a regular and symmetrical pattern so that each tube is spaced a maximum
distance possible from adjacent tubes. Number and spacing of tubes around cage
perimeter must correspond to design drawings or to specifications.
During the reinforcement cage installation, take care not to damage tubes.

Filling Tubes with Water

It is very important to fill tubes with clean water immediately before or within
one hour after concrete placement. This action inhibits de-bonding of concrete
from the tube. Cap or seal tube tops to keep out debris. The contractor should
remove the cap, just before testing by Avantech.
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While removing cap, care must be taken to avoid applying excess torque,
hammering, or other stresses that could break the bond between tubes and
concrete.
Tube Grouting: After CSL testing is completed and the engineer has accepted the
shaft, remove all water from access tubes and any other drilled holes. Then fill
tubes and holes completely with a grout mix approved by client.

CSL Field Setup and Data Acquisition

Date of Testing: CSL tests can be performed, 3 to 7 days after placing concrete
in the Bored RC pile. Testing too early may not allow complete setting of concrete
and testing too late increases the chances of de-bonding of access tubes from the
concrete adversely affecting the test results.

CSL Test Instrument: For CSL testing, Avantech uses a field-proven and industry
standard CHUM system (Fig 7.1) manufactured by the pioneering manufacturers
of CSL equipment M/s Pile Test.
The CHUM conforms to ASTM D-6760 and includes the following components:
1. CHUM instrument: containing rechargeable battery, microcontroller, data
conditioning, processing and acquisition circuits
2. A pair of depth meters pulleys
3. Two depth cables 50m each.
4. Two ultrasonic transceivers (each is emitter and receiver)
5. Computer (a windows laptop or tablet arranged by Avantech)
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The technical specifications of the instrument are provided in Appendix 1

The manufacturer’s ASTM conformity certificate is provided in Appendix 2

CSL Testing Procedures

The CSL testing procedures used by Avantech are consistent with the
recommended procedures of ASTM 6760-08 and the manufacturer of the CSL
equipment Either prior to or at the time of the CSL tests, the following
information should be provided to Avantech:
 bottom and top elevations of the foundation, or foundation length;
 concrete placement dates;
 any other pertinent data regarding unusual observations or events during
construction.
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Upon setting up in the field, Avantech field personnel will make a sketch of the
tube configuration on each tested foundation and assign a systematic reference
number to each tube.
Accurately measure and record the distance between the all of the tube-pair
combinations. Also record the tube stick-ups above the top of concrete.
Test all possible tube pairs including major diagonals, minor diagonals, and
periphery.
Field Test Set-up and Procedure
Remove the top cap from all the access tubes.
Lower a dummy probe into each access tubes to full depth and record the depths
to which the dummy lowers in tube. Record all obstruction if any in movement of
dummy and report to the contractor.
Connect the transmitter, the receiver and the depth wheel to the CHUM
instrument. Connect the CHUM instrument to a field laptop computer on which
the CHUM software is pre-installed.
Select first access tube pair for measurement and install the pulleys on the tubes.
One of the pulleys carries the depth encoder.
Lower both the transducers to the full depth of the access tubes.
Once the transducers reach the full depth of the access tubes, follow the
“levelling” procedure on CHUM software to level the transducers.
Record the tube distance for the pair in the CHUM software
Now, simultaneously hand-pull the cables attached to the probes over the depth
wheel to steadily bring the probes to the surface. While traversing a tube pair, CSL
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acoustic travel time measurements are made at depth intervals of 50mm or less
from the bottom to the top.
Repeat the process for all pairs of access tubes and save the data in CHUM. Since
there the pile dia is 1000mm on this project, there will be 4 tubes and 6 test paths
for testing out which 2 will be main paths and 4 will be peripheral paths

CSL Reporting:
As previously described, for each CSL tube-pair combination on each foundation
that is tested, transit times and signal strength are measured over the full length
of the foundation.
The report includes the following information for each test path.

1. Pile Name
2. Date of Test
3. Pile Diameter
4. Path identification with sketch
5. Depth of Tested path
6. Distance between tubes
7. Depth versus FAT and Energy Dissipation (db) profile (Fig 9.1 )
8. Waterfall diagram (Fig9.2)
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Fig 1 Fig 2
Interpretation:
As explained in test principle, pulse arrival time and signal strength are affected
by the condition of concrete across the test section. For equidistant tubes,
uniform concrete yields consistent first arrival times (FAT) and signal attenuation.

Non-uniformities such as contamination, soft concrete, and honeycombing, voids,

or inclusions exhibit delayed arrival times (FAT) with reduced signal strength.
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However, since ASTM 6760 does not provide clear cut-off values for FAT and
Energy Attenuation that can be used for interpretation of results, Avantech will
use the following criteria for interpretation of pile integrity that has been sourced
from paper, “Defect Analysis for CSL Testing by G Likins, F Rauche, K Webster and
A Klensey, presented at GSP 158 Contemporary Issues in Deep Foundations” and
is generally an accepted criterion on DMRC projects.

(G) Good FAT increase 0 to 10% and Energy Reduction < 6db
(Q) Questionable FAT increase 10 to 20% and Energy Reduction < 9db
(P/F) Poor/ Flaw FAT increase 21 to 30% OR Energy Reduction 9 to 12db
(P/D) Poor/ Defect FAT increase > 31% OR Energy Reduction > 12 db

Flaws (P/F) will be addressed if they are indicated in more than 50% of the
profiles. Defects (P/D) shall be addressed if they are indicated in more than one
profile.
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4.2 Sonic Integrity Tester [as per ASTM D 5882]:

Principle: The Low Strain Sonic/ Pile Integrity Test is a test for pile foundations
that involves sending a slow strain pulse/ shock wave introduced in a pile
foundation by means of a blow small rubber tipped hammer blow on pile top and
measuring the response of pulse over the time domain as it returns from the toe
or any other change in the cross section of pile. The Test method is governed by
ASTM D5882.(Fig.5.1).

This stress wave travels at the speed of sound ( c ) to the pile toe and reflects back
to the pile head.
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Fig 5.2
The response of the pile head, as a result of the hammer blow and reflections, is
measured with an acceleration transducer. The acceleration is integrated and
presented as a velocity signal (v)

For each pile at least 3 hammer blows are applied to the pile head and the results
are presented as an average of 3 traces in a diagram (Fig. 5.3).
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The time (T) between the start of the hammer blow and the time of arrival of the
reflection from the pile toe is measured by the instrument. The pile length (L) is
calculated as:

L = c.T/2

Where the stress wave velocity ( c ) is known. C can safely be assumed to be 4000
m/s + 10% or other value when calibrated on site.

To present the measuring results the time axis (t) is scaled to a length (depth) (l)
axis with L= c.t/2.

Due to shaft friction the toe reflection might be of small magnitude. To make the
reflection visible, the measured signal is amplified, typically exponentially.

To remove noise from the signals a filter value can be applied.

Pile integrity testing analysis is based on the one-dimensional stress wave theory.
Reflections generated by impedance changes (discontinuities) travel to the pile
top and are recorded and analysed

The impedance Z is defined as

Z = A √ (E. ρ)
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In which

A = cross sectional area

E = modulus of elasticity
ρ = density

Any change in A, E, or ρ or a combination of them will generate a reflection from

an impedance
Change (discontinuity).
Potential causes for reflections are:
 Pile toe
 Dimensional changes i.e. sudden increase or decrease in pile cross section
 Soil inclusions
 Cracks
 Joints
 Variations in concrete quality
 Variations in soil layers
 Overlap of reinforcement (heavily reinforced piles).
Dimensional Changes
Reflections will occur when discontinuities in the pile cross section or pile material
properties are present from the time of occurrence of a reflection the location of
the discontinuity can be determined. The sign of the reflection indicates an
increase or decrease in the pile cross section or an increase or decrease in pile
material quality.
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Reduction in Shaft Diameter Increase in Shaft Diameter

SIT Test procedure
 Turn On the PIT/SIT data collector unit and record the following pile related
information as an input
Project Name
Pile Name
Expected Pile length
Estimated Wave Speed
Pile Diameter (optional)
 Connect the accelerometer to the Data Collector Unit and set the
equipment to data collection mode.
 Place the accelerometer with a small amount of Pile top last/ wax to the
top of the pile, ensuring that the sensor is vertical.
 Choose a relatively flat, off-centre spot and press with hand weight.
 Do not position the sensor close to the location of impact.
 Strike on pile top in the vicinity of the accelerometer with the hammer.
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 Take at least three measurements at each location and take an average.
The data thus collected is in raw format and requires further processing for
interpretation of the field test data.

PIT Data Processing and Reporting

As previously described, the field data collected is affected by factors such as
dampening of signal due to soil friction, changes in soil friction and other noise
and needs to be processed to allow for interpretation of results.

Signal processing
Signal amplification/ magnification
Shaft friction has a strong influence on the pile integrity testing results and has to
be taken into account.

The signals measured on the pile top are amplified exponentially to overcome the
reduction of the amplitude of the stress wave while traveling to the pile toe and
back.

Signal amplification is by default applied from 20% of the expected length of pile.
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Effect Of Amplification/ Magnification

Signal smoothing (wavelet filter)

Extending reinforcement or other noises can generate high frequency reflections,
which mask the global shape of the measured signals.

To view the global shape of the signals smoothing is applied. It should be taken
into account that by smoothing information about discontinuities is lost.
For the final interpretation and presentation of the signals, smoothing should be
reduced to a minimum, with wavelet filter not exceeding 2.0
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The Characteristic Signal

Sometimes the change in soil resistance also causes reflections in the signal and it
can become difficult to distinguish or differentiate a change in soil resistance from
change in pile cross section.

To differentiate between a change in soil resistance and a pile discontinuity, the

signal from the pile being tested may be compared to a "characteristic signal"
deemed to be representative of similar piles in similar soil conditions on site. The
characteristic signal can either be an average of a number of piles on site or the
signal of a reference pile chosen prior to testing.
If the test signal is different than the characteristic signal, then any impedance
changes are due to the changing pile impedance and not characteristic of the site.
Changes not found in the characteristic signal require further analysis to
determine the cause.
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5.0 FOR STEEL STRUCTURE:
5.1 Ultrasonic Thickness Test for Steel Structure:

Ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) characterizing material thickness,

integrity, or other physical properties by means of high-frequency sound waves—
has become a widely used technique for quality control.

Principle: A pulse-echo ultrasonic thickness gage determines the thickness of a

part or structure by accurately measuring the time required for a short ultrasonic
pulse generated by a transducer to travel through the thickness of the material,
reflect from the back or inside surface, and be returned to the transducer. In
most applications this time interval is only a few microseconds or less. The
measured two-way transit time is divided by two to account for the down-and-
back travel path, and then multiplied by the velocity of sound in the test
material. The result is expressed in the well-known relationship:

D=Vt/2

Where:

D = the thickness of the test piece

V = the velocity of sound waves in the materialt

t = the measured round-trip transit time

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5.2 Dye Penetration Test [As per IS 11732]:

Liquid penetrant testing is a non-destructive method used to detect surface

breaking defects in any nonporous material. Liquid penetrant is applied to the
surface and is drawn into defects by capillary action. Once a present dwell time
has passed, excess penetrant is removed and developer applied to draw out
penetrant from defects. Visual inspection is then performed. Visible and
Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant Examinations are Non-Destructive methods of
revealing discontinuities that are open to the surfaces of solid and essentially non-
porous materials, ferrous or non-ferrous.