Experiment No: 03

Determine Rebound Number of Hardened Concrete”

ASTM C805-85
Or
BS 1881: Part202:1986
Scope:
This test is also known as the Schmidt hammer or impact hammer, and is a
non-destructive method of testing concrete. The test is based on the principle that the
rebound of an elastic mass depends on the hardness of the surface against which the
mass strikes.

Introduction:

In-Place Test methods to estimate concrete strength has been extremely popular among engineers and
inspectors involved in the field of structure inspection, evaluation and condition assessment. Various non-
destructive methods have been developed by different researchers over the past few decades to assess in-
place strength of concrete. The rebound hammer, developed by Ernst Schmidt, provides an inexpensive
and quick method for nondestructive testing and evaluation of the hardness of concrete.

Apparatus:
1- Rebound hammer.
2- Abrasive stone: consisting of medium-grain texture silicon carbide or equivalent
material.

Selection of Test Surface:

Concrete members to be tested shall be at least 100 mm thick
and fixed within a structure. Smaller specimens must be rigidly supported. Areas
exhibiting honeycombing, scaling, rough texture, or high porosity should be avoided.
Concretes should be approximately the same age and moisture condition in order to
be compared. Dry concretes give higher rebound numbers than wet concrete, and the
surface layer of concrete may be carbonated, yielding higher rebound numbers.

Preparation of test surface:

A test area shall be at least 150 mm in diameter. Heavily textured, soft, or
surfaces with loose mortar shall be ground smooth with the abrasive stone. Smooth formed
or toweled surface shall be tested without grinding. Concretes over 6 months
old may require grinding to a depth of 5 mm if they are to be compared to younger
concretes. Grinding to this depth is not feasible without power equipment.

Procedure:
1- Firmly hold the instrument in a position that allows the plunger to strike
perpendicularly to the surface tested. Gradually increase the pressure on the
plunger until the hammer impacts.
2- After impact, record the rebound number to two significant figures.
3- Take ten readings from each test area. No two impact tests shall be closer together
than 25 mm.
Calculation:
Discard readings differing from the average of 10 readings by more than 5 units
and determine the average of the remaining readings. If more than 2 readings differ
from the average by 7 units, discard the entire set of readings.