REPORT

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING LAB

Overview of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods

Submitted by,
Group – 2
Anuj Kumar – 194104403
Gopa Das – 194104407
K. Sreekanth - 194104409
M. Bharath Kumar – 194104410
Nagrale Parag Rajendra – 194104412
Sanjay Kushwaha – 194104417
Mohammed Hashmat Ahmed – 194104426

Page | 1
 Chapter 1
Introduction
__________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Destructive Tests of concrete are methods to obtain the compressive strength and other
properties of concrete from the existing structures. This test provides immediate results and actual
strength and properties of concrete structure. 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; and that strength properties of a concrete specimen depend on its size and shape.

Although there can be no direct measurement of the strength properties of structural

concrete for the simple reason that strength determination involves destructive stresses, several non-
destructive methods of assessment have been developed.

These depend on the fact that certain physical properties of concrete can be related to
strength and can be measured by non-destructive methods. Such properties include hardness,
resistance to penetration by projectiles, rebound capacity and ability to transmit ultrasonic pulses and
X- and Y-rays.

These non-destructive methods may be categorized as penetration tests, rebound tests, pull-
out techniques, dynamic tests, radioactive tests, maturity concept. It is the purpose of this Digest to
describe these methods briefly, outlining their advantages and disadvantages.

Methods of Non-Destructive Testing of Concrete:

 Rebound Hammer Test

 Ultra-Sonic Pulse Velocity
 Corrosion Analyzer with Wheel Electrode
 Resistivity Meter
 Re-bar Locator
 Permeability Tester
 Extraction Tester (Pull-Off, Pull-Out)

Page | 2
 Chapter 2
Rebound Hammer
__________________________________________________________________________________

AIM: To determine the Compressive Strength of Concrete using Rebound Hammer Test.

APPARATUS: Rebound Hammer

IS 13311 Part-2

THEORY:

Rebound hammer test method is

based on the principle that the rebound of an
elastic mass depends on the hardness of the
concrete surface against which the mass
strikes. The operation of the rebound hammer
is shown in figure-1. When the plunger of
rebound hammer is pressed against the
concrete surface, the spring-controlled mass in
the hammer rebounds. The amount of
rebound of the mass depends on the hardness
of concrete surface.

Thus, the hardness of concrete and

rebound hammer reading can be correlated
with compressive strength of concrete. The
rebound value is read off along a graduated
scale and is designated as the
rebound number or rebound index.
The compressive strength can be read directly
from the graph provided on the body of the
hammer.

Figure-1: Rebound Hammer

PROCEDURE:

1. The rebound hammer is attached with a digital monitor where we can do all the setting and
calibrations regarding the mode of testing.

Page | 3
 2. The direction in which we are doing the test is to be selected in the digital monitor i.e, vertical,
horizontal and inclined.
3. Then the surface of the specimen where the test is conducted to be smoothened using sand
paper to make the surface even because the rebound hammer derives the compressive
strength based on surface hardness.
4. Select the number of readings that are to be taken on a specimen and set it in the digital
monitor. Select the testing points in such a way that the distance between two testing points
shouldn’t be less than 20mm.
5. After performing the required number of attempts the average value of compressive strength
is shown in the monitor. The test is performed in all different possible directions.

OBSERVATIONS:

Table-1: Rebound Hammer Test on different specimens

Sr. No. Specimen Reference Plane Rebound Number Compressive

Strength (N/mm2)

1. Column Horizontal 40.2 43.1

2. Column base Horizontal 42.2 46.8

3. T – beam Horizontal 34.7 33.6

4. Prestressed beam vertical 36.0 37.0

Figure-2: Column Figure-3: Column Base

Page | 4
 Rebound
Hammer

Figure-4: T-Beam Figure-5: Prestressed Beam

Table -2: Rebound Hammer Test on cubes (for 7days Compressive Strength)

Test Points Cube 1 (N/mm2) Cube 2 (N/mm2)

1 32.0 28.0

2 35.0 30.5

3 34.3 30.0

4 30.8 30.2

5 30.6 28.0

6 30.3 28.2

Avg Compressive Strength (N/mm2) 32.17 29.15

Page | 5
 Figure-6: Rebound Hammer Test on Concrete Cube

CALCULATIONS:
32.17 + 29.15
Average Compressive Strength of Concrete cube by Rebound Hammer Test=
2

= 30.66 N/mm2

RESULT:

The 7 days Compressive Strength of Concrete Cubes by Rebound Hammer Test is 30.66 N/mm2.

Page | 6