ADVANCED STRUCTURAL LABORATORY

(CE6P301)

Non-Destructive Testing of Concrete

School of Infrastructure
Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar
 1. Rebound Hammer Test
1. Aim:

To determine the compressive strength of concrete by using Schmidt’s Rebound Hammer

2. Introduction:

The rebound hammer test is the most popular method to measure the surface hardness of a
concrete mass. The basic features of this equipment are shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Typical rebound hammer

The hammer is very simple and lightweight (~ 2 kg), and has an impact energy of about 2.25
Nm for normal weight concrete according to IS 13311: 1992 (Part 2). It can be operated on
vertical, horizontal and inclined surfaces, upwards and downwards, but it has to be at right
angles to the measured surface as indicated in the Fig. 2 below.

Fig. 2. Rebound hammer in use

Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory M.Tech in Structural Engineering

3. Apparatus:

 Rebound Schmidt Hammer

 Sand paper/ Grinding stone
 Rebound number vs compressive strength chart.

4. Test Procedure:

The reading is very sensitive due to local variation in the concrete, especially to aggregate particles
near to the surface. It is better to take numerous readings at each test location, and then find their
mean. Standards vary in their precise requirements. According to IS 13311: 1992 (Part 2), nine
readings should be taken.

To take the reading, the following steps should be considered:

Step 1: Make sure the hammer is calibrated.

Step 2: The surface must be smooth, clean and dry, and should be preferably formed, but if

trowelled surfaces are not smooth, use a grinding stone to smoothen the test surface as shown in
Fig. 3.

Step 3: The plunger is released before use; then it should be pressed strongly and vertically to the
concrete surface and locked in its position.

Step 4: Take the scale reading on the side window of the hammer, this reading is known as the
rebound number.

Step 5: Repeat the test at all points and record the rebound numbers, find the mean and check that
each reading didn’t exceed 6 units difference from the mean reading.

Step 6: Each rebound number will produce a compressive strength from the relationship between
the rebound number and compressive strength on the side of the hammer.

Step 7: Compressive strength can then be found using a calibration graph of Compressive strength
v/s Rebound (Rebound Hammer conversion chart) as shown in Fig. 4 below.

Step 8: Calculate Mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation.

Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory M.Tech in Structural Engineering

 Fig. 3. Grinding stone Fig. 4. Rebound hammer conversion chart

Table 1. Observations taken from the test

Rebound Compressive strength Standard Coefficient of

Sl. No. Mean
number (N/mm2) deviation variance
1.
2.
3.
4. = = =
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

5. Results and Discussion:

6. Questions:

a. What is the principle behind the rebound hammer test?

b. What is the objective of the rebound hammer test?
c. What are the factors that influence the rebound numbers?

Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory M.Tech in Structural Engineering

 2. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
1. Aim:

Determine the Pulse Velocity, Crack Depth and Compressive Strength of concrete by using
PUNDIT – lab ultrasonic instrument.

2. Introduction:

The ultrasonic Pulse Velocity test (UPV) is one of the popular methods which are used to obtain
information about the interior of a concrete structure with two accessible surfaces (transducers).
The most known instrument, which we used in the lab, is the PUNDIT (Portable Ultrasonic Non-
destructive Digital Indicating Tester) this comes with two transducers and one calibration rod to
adjust the readings before any test.

Fig. 1. Ultrasonic pulse velocity test apparatus

2.1 Transducer Arrangement:

There are three major ways through which the transducers may be arranged, as shown in Fig. 2 below.

a) Opposite faces (direct method)

b) Adjacent faces (semi - direct method)

c) Same faces (indirect method)

Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory M.Tech in Structural Engineering

 Fig. 2. Transducer arrangements: (a) Direct (b) Semi-direct (c) Indirect

While the maximum pulse energy is transmitted at right angle to the face of the transmitter, the
direct method is the most reliable method from this perspective of transit time measurement. In
some cases, no opposite surfaces can be accessed. Therefore, this test can also be also arranged
with adjacent surfaces (semi-direct method) (Fig. 2b), and on the same surface (indirect method)
(Fig. 2c).

3. Apparatus:

 PUNDIT Lab - Ultrasonic instrument

4. Determination of Pulse Velocity:

A pulse of longitudinal vibration is produced by an electro-acoustical transducer, which is held in

contact with one surface of the concrete member under test. After traversing a known path length
(L) in the concrete, the pulse of vibration is converted into an electrical signal by a second electro-
acoustical transducer and electronic timing circuit enable the transit time (T) of the pulse to be
measured. The pulse velocity (V) is given by Eq. (1):

V=L/T (1)

Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory M.Tech in Structural Engineering

4. Interpretation of Results:
The ultrasonic pulse velocity of concrete can be related to its density and modulus of elasticity. It
depends upon the materials and mix proportions used in making concrete as well as the method of
placing, compacting and curing of concrete. If the concrete is not compacted thoroughly and
having segregation, cracks or flaws, the pulse velocity will be lower as compare to good concrete,
although the same materials and mix proportions are used. The quality of concrete in terms of
uniformity can be assessed using the guidelines as per table given in IS 13311: 1992 (Part 1).

Table 1. Velocity Criteria for Concrete Quality Grading as per IS 13311: 1992 (Part 1)

Sl. No. Pulse velocity by cross probing (km/sec) Concrete 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

Table 2. Observations taken from the test

Sl. No. Distance (mm) Time (µs) Pulse velocity (km/sec)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

5. Results and Discussion:

6. Questions:

a. What is the principle of ultrasonic pulse velocity method?

b. What are the components of ultrasonic pulse velocity apparatus?
c. What are the factors that influence the test?

Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory M.Tech in Structural Engineering