NON DESTRUCTIVE TEST

Normally carried out: 1. Periodically to evaluate the performance of building 2. To gather information on old building in order to ascertain the methods of repair or to demolish 3. To ascertain the strength of concrete if cube tests failed.

NDT
Rebound Hammer Test Infrared Thermography Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

Rebound Hammer Test

Can be used to determine the in-place compressive strength of concrete within a range of 1500 8000 psi (10-55MPa) A quick and simple mean of checking concrete uniformity Measure the distance of rebound of a springloaded plunger after it struck a smooth concrete surface.

Results of the test can be affected by factors such as smoothness of concrete surface, size, shape, rigidity of speciment, age & moisture condition, type of coarse aggregate & the carbonation of the surface.

Schmidt Hammer

Infrared Thermography

Infrared Thermography is based on two basic principles from heat transfer: conduction and radiation. Sound materials with no voids, gaps, or cracks are more thermally conductive than materials that are delaminated or contain moisture. This allows rapid areal mapping of internal conditions. It should be noted that the IT method is most useful for the detection of shallow defects and flaws. Tests For: Voids, Delaminations, Cracks, Moisture.

This is a photo of a condominium. The dark (cool) streak is water in the wall under vinyl siding from a leaking washing machine on the third floor. The camera showed the source

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

It uses measurement of the speed of ultrasonic pulses through the concrete to correlate concrete strength to standard strength. Allows the determination of compressive concrete strength and location of cracks. It will identify non homogenous condition in the structure such as honeycomb, voids and cracks. Size of cracks can also be determined.

Among the factors that could effect this test are: a) surface smoothness b) travel path of the pulse c) temperature effect on the pulse velocity d) moisture content e) presence of steel reinforcing bars f) age of concrete

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity