Know more about the Non-destructive test results in the Structural Audit report

There are many tests that are conducted in a Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) building. Each test gives
indication of different aspects of the RCC. Here is a summary of test mentioned in the Proforma B of MCGM:

1. Rebound Hammer (RH) Test:

Rebound hammer test is done to find out the compressive strength of concrete by using rebound/Schmidt
hammer. The underlying principle of the rebound hammer test is “The rebound of an elastic mass depends on
the hardness of the surface against which its mass strikes.” The rebound reading on the indicator scale has
been calibrated by the manufacturer of the rebound hammer for horizontal impact, that is, on a vertical
surface, to indicate the compressive strength. The Schmidt hammer provides an inexpensive, simple and quick
method of obtaining an indication of concrete strength, but accuracy is very low. The results are affected by
factors such as smoothness of surface, size and shape of specimen, moisture condition of the concrete, type of
cement and coarse aggregate, and extent of carbonation of surface.

2. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) Test:

At present the ultrasonic pulse velocity method is the only one of this type that shows potential for testing
concrete strength in situ. It measures the time of travel of an ultrasonic pulse passing through the concrete.
The pulse velocity method is an ideal tool for establishing whether concrete is uniform. It can be used on both
existing structures and those under construction. Usually, if large differences in pulse velocity are found within
a structure for no apparent reason, there is strong reason to presume that defective or deteriorated concrete
is present. High pulse velocity readings are generally indicative of good quality concrete. Its use for predicting
strength is much more limited, owing to the large number of variables affecting the relation between strength
and pulse velocity.

3. Half Cell Potential Test

The half-cell potential test is a corrosion monitoring technique used to determine the probability of corrosion
within the reinforcement steel bars.

Table: Relationship between the potential values and corrosion probability

Measured Potential(mV CSE) Probability of steel corrosion activity Risk

 > -200 10% Low
-200 to -350 50% Medium
-350 to -550 90% High
< -550 More than 90% Severe

4. Carbonation Depth Test

Carbonation depth is assessed using a solution of phenolphthalein indicator that appears pink in contact with
alkaline concrete with pH values in excess of 9 and colourless at lower levels of pH. Carbonation of concrete is
one of the main reasons for corrosion of reinforcement. Oxygen and moisture are the other components
required for corrosion of embedded steel. In this test, the depth of carbonation is determined. The rate of
carbonation depends on the grade of concrete, permeability of concrete, whether the concrete is protected or
not, depth of cover, time, etc.

5. Concrete Core Test

Concrete cores are used for testing of actual properties of concrete in existing structures such as strength,
permeability, chemical analysis, carbonation etc. Concrete cores are usually cut by means of a rotary cutting
tool with diamond bits. In this manner, a cylindrical specimen is obtained usually with its ends being uneven,
parallel and square and sometimes with embedded pieces of reinforcement. The concrete core is used for
Strength and density determination. This test gives the most realistic strength of in-situ concrete. The
acceptability of the strength can be advised by a licensed structural engineer depending on durability criteria
and loading.
 6. Chemical Analysis

The chloride content, sulphate content and pH value of concrete is determined in chemical analysis. The test
for chloride content in concrete is very significant as when chloride is present in reinforced concrete it can
cause very severe corrosion of the steel reinforcement. Chloride content should be limited to 0.6 kg/CuM of
concrete. Exposure of concrete to sulphate salts can cause damage due to an expansive reaction between the
cement and the sulphate salt. Sulphates should not exceed 4% of mass of cement in concrete. pH is the
important parameter in studying the properties of concrete. Low and high pH both creates problem in
concrete in terms of corrosion and spalling. Fresh Concrete has a pH of 12 to 13.

7. Aggregate Cement Ratio

This test determines the ratio of cement to aggregate in the core sample at a given water-cement ratio. The
strength of concrete depends on this ratio and many other factors and can be used by the structural engineer
for analysis.

To summarise, all the above tests help the structural engineer in determining the current condition of the RCC
of the building.