REPORT FOR THE NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST

FOR COMPRESSION MEMBERS FOR

THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR
MR& MRS CHUKA ESEKA
LOCATED AT
PLOT P83, CLOSE 301, BANANA ISLAND,
FORESHORE ESTATE, IKOYI LAGOS.
 LIST OF CONTENTS
A. Synopsis…………………………………………………………………

……………………….3

B. Brief background on compressive

strength…………………………………….3

C. Non- destructive

test………………………………………………………………………4

 The Rebound Hammer Test

 Equipment used.

 Calibration of hammer

D. Procedure of

testing……………………………………………………………………

…...6

E. Description of

Structure…………………………………………………………………...

F. Desk

study………………………………………………………………………

…………………8

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 G. Observation………………………………………………………………

……………………….9

H. Discussion…………………………………………………………………

………………………10

I. Conclusion and

Recommendation…………………………………………………....11

APPENDIX

A. SYNOPSIS
The purpose of this investigation is to ascertain the on-site compressive strength
test on the reinforced concrete columns on the residential development for Mr. &
Mrs. Chuka Eseka at Banana Island, Lagos
B. Background on Compressive strength Test
The compressive strength of concrete is one of the important parts of material
specifications. It is part of the factors required to determine the size of the
structural members to accommodate the design loads of the structure.

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It is very necessary to determine whether a delivered concrete mixture meets
the strength specified to guarantee the structure’s ability to perform adequately
under the applied loads.

The Compressive strength of concrete is carried out by measuring the breaking

load of cylindrical or cube concrete specimens under a constant rate of loading in
a compression testing machine. The strength is calculated by dividing the breaking
load by the cross-sectional area of the specimen, perpendicular to the loading
direction. It is then reported as the compressive strength in units of pressure (i.e.,
psi, kg/cm2 or MPa).

Test results are derived from the average strength of a number of specimens
usually 3Nos specimens cast from the same sample and tested at the same age of
curing, generally specified to have full designed capacity at 28 days (28-day
strength).

Fig1: Samples of crushing cubes machine

C. Non- destructive test
The standard method for determining the compressive strength of concrete (as
outlined above) is by crushing cured concrete specimens in a compression

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machine. However, a variety of factors can affect the quality of hardened finished
concrete. These include differences in concrete batches, variations in the
placement of concrete in forms, over- or under-vibration of the mix, settlement of
aggregate, and others. It is important in many cases to determine the
compressive strength of aged concrete elements engineer to guarantee the
structure’s ability to perform adequately under the applied static or dynamic
loads.
Therefore, non-destructive testing (NDT) performs a vitally important role in the
assessment of finished concrete structures increasing the confidence level of
destructive tests such as concrete cube test that have already been carried out.
 The Rebound Hammer Test
It is one of the most widely used NDT methods for determination of in-situ
concrete strength. The test hammer uses a spring-actuated mass that is released
to impact the surface of a concrete sample with a defined amount of energy. The
rebound distance following impact is then measured. The hammer is held
perpendicular to the surface being tested and the rebound varies according to the
hardness of the sample point. This rebound measurement is then converted into
compressive strength by means of a conversion chart. Different conversion charts
have been generated to compensate for instrument orientation. These charts
were developed by carrying out rebound tests on concrete samples before being
crushed under compression

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 Figure 2: Rebound Hammer Positions for Testing Concrete Structure.

 EQUIPMENT USED.
The Proceq SilverSchmidt Hammer was used for performing the non-destructive
test. This device is a quality testing on materials in accordance with set
specifications. The SilverSchmidt is a unique integrated concrete test hammer
featuring true rebound value calculated from the quotient of the impact velocity
and rebound velocity to provide maximum accuracy. The test is carried out to
ascertain the strength of concrete on-site without destroying existing structural
members as such the name Non-Destructive Test (NDT).

.
Fig.3: Proceq Schmidt hammer

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 CALIBRATION OF HAMMER: Periodically, at an average of six-month interval,
we send our rebound hammer to Proceq service center in the United States for
checks, updates and to ensure that its result is within tolerance. Afterwards,
regular calibration checks are done in our office using a calibration steel anvil
which has a Brinell hardness value of 5000Nmm-2
D. Procedure of testing
(a) loose particles were rubbed off from the concrete surface to ensure that
the surface is smooth, clean and dry.
(b) The Rebound hammer is held at right angles to the surface of the concrete
structure as shown in Fig. 2 and the plunger of rebound hammer is pressed
against the surface of concrete.
(c) Readings of rebound number is taken at each point of testing and an
average of value of the readings is taken as rebound index for the
corresponding point of observation on concrete surface.

Fig 4: Picture showing NDT being conducted on one of the columns on site
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 Fig 5: Picture showing NDT being conducted on the column on site
E. Description of Structure
i. The referenced structure is a proposed Residential building located at
Plot P83, close 301, Banana island, foreshore estate, Ikoyi Lagos.
ii. The building is still under construction with all structural members more
than 28days.
iii. The mode of construction is cast in-situ reinforced concrete where in
Vertical loads are transferred via a structural system of framed
reinforced columns, RC beams and open rib floor system.

F. DESK STUDY
Compressive Strength of Concrete at Various Ages

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The strength of concrete increases with age. Table 1.0 shows the strength of
concrete at different ages in comparison with the strength at 28 days after casting.

Table
1.0 Age Strength
(Days) (%)
1 day 16%
3 days 40%
7 days 65%
14 days 90%
28 days 99%
showing the age of concrete and the required strength development

Grades of concrete and respective strengths

Standard grade of concrete Compressive strength

MPa(N/mm2)
M20 20
M25 25
M30 30
M35 35
M40 40

Table 2.0: Grades of concrete and respective strengths

G. OBSERVATION
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 GROUND FLOOR COLUMNS
COLUMNS REFERENCE SCHMIDT HAMMER
LABELS NUMBER READING
(N/mm2)
C13 1098 31.0
C19 1128 36.5
C14 1138 33.5
C15 1198 17.0
C20 1208 18.0
C21 1219 14.5
C11 1229 16.5
C10 1249 15.5
C9 1279 17.5
C6 1319 16.0
C5 1319 26.0
C4 1339 18.5
C3 1349 13.5
C2 1369 13.5

FIRST FLOOR COLUMNS

COLUMNS REFERENCE SCHMIDT HAMMER
LABELS NUMBER READING
(N/mm2)
C1 1409 11.5
C3 1480 10.0
C5 1530 16.0
C9 1560 13.5
C2 1450 11.5
C6 1500 15.5
C17 1550 13.0

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Fig 6: Ground floor plan showing the compressive strength of the columns, the
strength in circles indicates columns with compressive strength below the design
strength of 25N/mm2(See Appendix A for the raw data from Proceq SChimdt
hammer)

H. DISCUSSION
I. As discussed earlier that concrete cube tests are used to determine the
compressive strength. Cube test results submitted, indicated adequacy of
results.
II. Nondestructive test (NDT’s) via Schmidt hammer also gives fair indication
of Strength of concrete but with the added advantage of better
representation of sampling test points and real time values
III. From our observations, there are variances in test results submitted from
the concrete cube tests and the NDT’s result. The cube test results have
median values between 28.2Nmm-2 – 28.5 Nmm-2 while the NDT varies
from 8.0Nmm-2 – 36.0 Nmm2
IV. There are several factors that would have caused the aforementioned.
Chief amongst is the time it takes to place concrete from the time of

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 hydration which sometimes exceed the initial setting time because of the
small cross-sectional area of the vertical elements like column.
V. The above factor is the reason to tend to rely much in test methods as
NDT for vertical elements like column.
VI. Though contractors always take measures to keep in check the
aforementioned. This has been known to be a big challenge in
construction.

I. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

To err on the side of safety, Columns having strength lower than 25N/mm 2 from
the NDT results should be strengthened. See attached documents

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 APPENDIX A

PROCEQ SCHMIDT HAMMER TEST READINGS

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