TITLE NON-DESTRUCTIVE MEASUREMENT OF CONCRETE

PREAMBLE

1.1 Introduction
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. The use
of NDT in inspecting concrete is not as common as in the metallic construction. This may be due to
lack of demand or no specific requirement by code or standard from the related sectors as
compared to metallic construction. However, research and development activities in various NDT
methods indicate that NDT has a great potential to be applied on concrete structures.

1.2 Objective
The objective of the test is:
- To identify deficiencies in concrete.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. Organize and conduct non-destructive laboratory experiment.
2. Analyze data correctly and present in typical format.
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials for a wide variety of structural
and architectural elements. But concrete can suffer from several forms of in-service
deterioration. The most common deterioration
modes are corrosion-induced delamination and spalling. The corrosion process is driven by
moisture and oxygen that can permeate the concrete. Freeze-thaw damage can also deteriorate
in-service concrete. This is a progressive deterioration of the concrete material caused by the
entrance of water (into the concrete pores) that subsequently expands when it freezes,
introducing tensile stresses that can cause concrete to crack. Freeze-thaw damage leads to a
generalized deterioration of the concrete strength properties, widespread cracking, spalling, and
eventually loss of section.

In addition to in-service deterioration, construction related factors can undermine concrete

durability. These include low cover, honeycombing, and voids. Discontinuities introduced during
construction can lead to poor durability, reduced load carrying capacity, and poor aesthetic
quality of the finished concrete.

Non-Destructive measurement provides cost-effective and reliable methods for identifying

deficiencies in concrete. Nondestructive test (NDT) methods are used to determine hardened
concrete properties and to evaluate the condition of concrete in deep foundations, bridges,
buildings, pavements, dams and other concrete construction. There are many methods in non-
destructive test such as Rebound Hammer, Profometer and Ultra Sonic Pulse Velocity. Every
method of non-destructive test have it own boundary and which mean the method cannot afford
an accurate and consistence result for difference cases and to detect different defect.

Non-destructive test methods are applied to concrete construction for four primary reasons:
1. Quality control of new construction;
2. Troubleshooting of problems with new construction;
3. Condition evaluation of older concrete for rehabilitation;
4. Purposes; and
5. Quality assurance of concrete repairs.

Nondestructive testing technologies are evolving and research continues to enhance existing
methods and develop new methods. The report is intended to provide an overview of the
principles of various NDT methods being used in practice, and to summarize their applications
and limitations. The emphasis is placed on methods that have been applied to measure physical
properties other than the strength of concrete in structures, to detect flaws or discontinuities, and
to provide data for condition evaluation.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The performance on older structures is often poor due to a number of factors, including variability
of concrete quality in one and the same structure, a less uniform and lower quality concrete, the
condition of the concrete will have changed over sections and globally with time, and the fact that
less is known about the structure. Modern concretes are generally of higher quality and lend
themselves better to NDT. Since the quality of NDT- performance is directly related to the quality
of the concrete then it would seem logical that NDT is of more value to modern construction and
will be of greater use in the future.
The group is required to carry out non-destructive test following the procedures outline and
subsequently analyze the data and present it in a proper technical format.