A Presentation on

NDT of Concrete
By:
Er. Vishnu Prasad Paudyal
NEC Regn. #:5304/Civil/A
Asstt. Professor, PEC
Dec. 08, 2014

Contents:
Non destructive tests( NDT)An Introduction
Simple & Effective techniques to Evaluate the existing

structures for their durability & strength.

Easy & Quick Process.
No damage to the structures
Economical
Provides reliable data
Certified by the Codes & Standards.
Internationally valid practice
Limitations: Does not provide absolute value of
strength as the concrete is not actually loaded.
I NDRA RAJYA HIGHER
S E CONDA RY SCHOOL

I NDRA RAJYA HIGHER

S E CONDA RY SCHOOL

I NDRA RAJYA HIGHER

S E CONDA RY SCHOOL

I NDRA RAJYA HIGHER

S E CONDA RY SCHOOL

I NDRA RAJYA HIGHER

S E CONDA RY SCHOOL

T YP ICAL S LA B RE INFORCEM ENT PLAN

TREN CH PLAN

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TOP & B OTTOM TIE BE AM PLAN

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Destructive tests:
Time consuming & complex procedure.

Expenditure for sampling & preparation

Reinstatement of damaged portion required.
Involves Field tests & Lab analysi.s
More reliable than NDT.

Objective of NDT:
To determine the Elastic modulus .

To evaluate Density
To evaluate Strength
To determine cracks & voids
To observe the reinforcement arrangements.
To evaluate Quality & Workmanship.
To determine Surface hardness .
To determine surface absorption.

Different Tests of NDT:

Rebound hammer test.( Schmidt hammer)[IS

13311, Part II]

Ultrasonic Pulse velocity ( UPV)tests.[ IS 13311,
Part I]
Core tests [ IS 516, ASTM C 42/41)
Corrosion assessment test.
Bar locator & Cover meter.
Carbonation test.

Tests & Purpose:

Rebound hammer: To estimate compressive

strength & surface hardness.

UPV test: To measure homogeneity , uniformity,
compactibility, presence of cracks / voids[ To
measure the durability]
Core test: To evaluate the situ comp. strength of
concrete.
Corrosion Assessment : To know the extent &
rate of corrosion in reinforcements.
Bar locator & Cover meter: To know the status
of re-bar & extent of cover.
Carbonation: To evaluate the extent of
carbonation.

Rebound hammer:
Principle: The rebound of an elastic mass

depends on the hardness of the surface against

which the mass impinges.
The rebound number is an arbitrary measure
since it depends on the given spring & on the size
of the mass.
The compressive strength is estimated through
correlation between rebound number from charts
displayed in the body of the hammer.
The test is sensitive to the presence of aggregate
& voids immediately underneath the plunger.
Should take 10 to 12 readings over the area.

Rebound hammer [SCHMIDT

hammer]

Interpretation of the Results:

Factors affecting test Results:

Type of Cement

Type of aggregate
Surface condition & moisture contents.
Curing & age of concrete.
Carbonation of concrete surface.
Proper use of equipment.

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity ( UPV) test:

Principle: the velocity of sound in a solid material v, is a

function of the square root of the ratio of its modules of

elasticity e,to its density .
The apparatus generates a pulse of vibrations at an
ultrasonic frequency which are transmitted by transducer in
to the concrete member .
The vibrations are received & converted to an electric
signal by second transducer.
These signals are fed through an amplifier to a cathod ray
oscilloscope.
The time taken by the pulse to travel through the concrete is
measured by an electrical timing- unit.
Knowing the length of the path travelled the concrete , the
pulse velocity is calculated.

Findings of UPV test:

Correlation of pulse velocity & strength as a

measure of concrete quality.

Detection of presence & approximate extent of
cracks , voids & other imperfection in concrete.

Factors affecting Test Results:

Smoothness of concrete surface under test.

Influence of path length on pulse velocity.

Temperature of Concrete.-5 -30---Ideal

30 -60 ----Reduction up
to 5 %.
Below 5 ----Increase up to
7.5%
Moisture condition : UPV is proportional to the
moisture condition.
Presence of reinforcement steel.

Core Test:[ Partially destructive]

Cores from the hardened concrete are taken by

drilling .
The samples are than conducted visual
inspection & other tests for determining comp.
strength.
Cores also used to measure density, water
absorption, indirect tensile strength.
Through chemical analysis , concrete composition
can also be found out.
Precaution : 1.Reinforcement bars should be
avoided .
2. Proper choice of core location .

Carbonation test:
Objective:

1.To assesst he pH of the concrete. 2. Extent of

corrosion.
Chemical used:
Phenoltholene solution ( Colorless below a pH of
8.2 & is pink /purple at a pH greater than 10.)

Factors affecting test results:

Dark Concrete.

Saturation
Extent of drilling.

Factors affecting test:

Cover thickness may be affected by the adjacent

re- bar.
Magnetic effects from the aggregates or matrix of
the concrete.
Roughness of the surface.
Cross section ,shape of the bar.

THANK YOU!!!!

Any questions
pl?????