Hardened concrete and

methods of testing.
RESEARCH BY SHEPHERD NHANGA

There are destructive tests(DT) and non-destructive tests (NDT).

The main tests are,

Compressive strength test DT

Modulus of Elasticity NDT
Split-tension test DT
Flexural strength test DT
Rebound hammer test NDT
Penetration resistance test NDT
Ultrasonic pulse velocity test NDT

Maturity tests

Compressive strength tests

Compressive testing is carried out using a
compression test machine at a constant rate of
0.25 0.05 MPa for cylinder moulds.
Compressive strength is equal to maximum load
divided by the average cross sectional area of the
concrete to the nearest 0.5N/mm

Fig1.1 compression testing machine

SPLIT TENSION TEST

It

measures the tensile strength on concrete, the

cylinder is subjected to compressive load along
vertical diameter at a constant rate until fatigue.
Failure occurs along vertical diameter due to
tension developed in transverse direction .Split
tension is computed by T = 2p/LD

T = tensile strength, MPa; p= load at failure,

N ; L = length of specimen, mm; D = diameter
of specimen, mm Tensile strength varies
from 2.5 MPa to 3.1 MPa (360 psi to 450 psi),
about 10% of compressive strength

Fig 1.2 split tension test

Flexure tension test

A prismatic

beam of concrete is supported on a

steel roller bearing
Each end is loaded through similar steel bearings
placed at the third points on the top surface.
The flexural strength (the max tensile stress at
the bottom surface )is FL/BD where F = load ,L =
the distance between the lower supporting

rollers;
B and D are the breath and depth of the beam.
Important test for road and airport concrete
pavements

Fig 1.3 Flexure strength test

Maturity test

Maturity

is the degree of cement hydration

Varies with time and temperature
It is assumed that the strength is a function of
maturity for a particular concrete mixture

Permeability
Permeability

affects the durability of hardened concrete

Air voids that affect permeability are obtained from ;

-incomplete consolidation of fresh concrete

evaporation of mixing water that is not used for
hydration of cement

Non-destructive testing methods

Physical

properties of concrete can be related to

strength and can be measured by nondestructive methods.
Such properties include hardness, resistance to
penetration by projectiles, rebound capacity and
ability to transmit ultrasonic pulses and X- and Yrays.

Penetration tests
Windsor probe

Equipment

consists of a powder-actuated gun

or driver, hardened alloy probes, loaded
cartridges, a depth gauge for measuring
penetration of probes
Depth of penetration provides an indication of
the compressive strength of the concrete

advantages
-Is

a quick method of checking quality and

maturity of in-situ concrete
-is

non -destructive, with only minor patching of

holes on exposed faces
-provides

a means of assessing strength

development with curing.

disadvantages
-

The test produces quite variable results and

should not be expected to give accurate
values of concrete strength .

Rebound Hammer Test (Schmidt Hammer Test)

used to test the uniformity of the concrete

consists of a spring controlled hammer mass that

slides on a plunger within a tubular housing. The
hammer is forced against the surface of the
concrete by the spring and the distance of rebound
is measured on a scale
. The higher the rebound, the harder the concretes
surface, and the greater the concretes strength

Rebound hammer test

disadvantages

The

results are affected 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

advantages
The

Schmidt hammer provides an inexpensive,

simple and quick method of obtaining an
indication of concrete strength,
accuracy of 15 to 20 % is possible only for
specimens cast, cured and tested under
conditions for which calibration curves have
been established.

Pull out tests

Uses

a special ram, the force required to pull

from the concrete a specially shaped steel rod
whose enlarged end has been cast into the
concrete to a depth of 3 in. (7.6 cm).
The concrete is simultaneously in tension and in
shear, but the force required to pull the concrete
out can be related to its compressive strength

Fig 1.4 pull out test

advantages

measures quantitatively the strength of

concrete in place

give information on the maturity and

development of strength

disadvantages
-

they have to be planned in advance and pull-out assemblies set

into the formwork before the concrete is placed
ULTRA PULSE VELOCITY METHOD
is used to test concrete strength in-situ by detecting
discontinuities, cracks and internal deterioration in the structure of
concrete
. It measures the time of travel of an ultrasonic pulse passing
through the concrete. Length between transducers/ travel time =
average velocity of wave propagation.

Fig 1.6 (upvm)

advantages
is

an ideal tool for establishing whether

concrete is uniform
-can

be used on both existing structures and

those under construction
-cracks

can be detected

disadvantages
beyond

a strength of 13.6 to 20.4 MPa accuracy in

determining strength is less than 20%. Accuracy depends
on careful calibration and use of the same concrete mix
proportions and aggregate in the test samples used for
calibration as in the structure.
-Its

use for predicting strength is much more limited, owing to the

large number of variables affecting the relation between strength
and pulse velocity