NON- DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF CONCRETE

Surya Prasad Paudel

Deputy Manager, NEA

1. INTRODUCTION
The word “concrete” comes from the Latin word “Concretus” (meaning, compact or
condensed). Concretes in different forms have been using since beginning of civilization
of human being. Today’s modernization is only possible due to the versatile nature of
concrete where almost all kinds of structures are possible. Modern concrete was only
possible after invention of method of production of Portland cement. Immediately before
invention of Portland cement, hydraulic lime was used for making concrete with pebble
and powdered brick as aggregate. The method of producing Portland cement was
officially patented by Joseph Aspdin in 1824 and reinforced concrete was invented in
1849 by Joseph Monier. In 1889, the first reinforced concrete bridge was built and first
large concrete dams were built in 1936, Hoover Dam and Grand Coulee Dam.

Concrete is composite material bonded together with aggregates (course and fine) and
fluid cement which hardens over times. Most concrete used are lime based concrete
such as Portland cement concrete or concrete based with other hydraulic cement such
as ciment fondu (calcium aluminate cement). Asphalt concrete which is used in road
surface is also a type of concrete where cement material is bitumen, and polymer
concrete is used sometimes where cement material is polymer.

Quality control in concrete is very important task in construction. Quality has to be

controlled during construction and after construction for insuring the requirement of that
particular purpose. Quality control can be achieved by conducting several types of test
during construction and after construction. After setting of the concrete, basically there
are two types of testing; destructive and non- destructive testing.

Non destructive tests (NDT) are very useful in hydropower structure for evaluating their
qualities after concreting. NDT for accessing tunnel lining concrete is usually done after
completion of grouting to determine the quality of concrete and grouting. Besides the
tunnel linings, NDT tests are conducted for other concrete structure such as dam,
powerhouse and bridge for their qualities after concreting. This paper intends to explain
about the types and methods of non destructive tests and its application in concrete
used for different structures.

2. NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

Non-destructive testing is a method of testing the hardened concrete structure to access
the strength and durability of the concrete structure without loading the test specimen to
failure. Now a day, Non- destructive Testing (NDT) becomes the important part of the
quality control process. This method of testing also helps to investigate modulus of
elasticity, density, strength, determination of cracks, voids, honey combing, location of
reinforcement, quality of workmanship, dynamic modulus of elasticity.

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 Non destructive test is useful especially for existing structures for rehabilitation planning.
After destructive earthquake of Baishak 12, 2072, Non destructive testing have been
used for accessing the residual strength and determination of concrete defects of
buildings of residential uses, apartments, commercial buildings and schools to determine
whether they are safe to use further and if damage was repairable, suitable repair plan. it
is also useful as an alternative test if destructive test result become doubtful about the
concrete quality.

3. METHODS OF NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

Several non destructive methods of testing have been developed to analyze the property
of hardened concrete. Followings are the method of testing available in concreting
industry.
1. VISUAL INSPECTION
Visual inspection is most easy and important non destructive test. It is an initial
assessment of which can be done immediately. It can provide the most important
information of most trained eye of the Engineer. Visual inspection can detect cracks,
spalling, disintegration, color change, weathering, surface blemishes, and lack of
uniformity. It also gives a preliminary indication of the condition of the surface and
allows the formulation of a subsequent testing program. Several tools which can be
used for visual inspection may be but not limited to; measuring tape, markers,
thermometer, anemometer, binocular, borescope, endoscope, magnifying glass,
camera, geological hammer.
2. HALF CELL ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL TESTING METHOD
This technique is mostly used for assessment of reinforced concrete members where
reinforcement corrosion is suspected. Its uses are usually in bridge abutments ad
piers, and marine structures. It is simple method of testing and equipments used are
very simple.

3. REBOUND HAMMER TEST

Rebound hammer test is most common Non Destructive Method (NDT) of testing
which was developed in 1948 by Swiss Engineer Ernst Schmidt. Rebound hammer
test measures the elastic rebound of concrete and the test is useful for estimation of
concrete strength and comparative investigation. As no theoretical assessments
have been developed for assessment of concrete, empirical relationship between the
rebound hardness and strength are used. There are several factors which may affect
the result of rebound hammer tests such as type of aggregate, degree of
compaction, age of concrete, dryness/wetness of surface, rigidity of the members to
be tested, surface finish of concrete; moulded/traweled, maintenance of rebound
hammer, inclination of rebound hammer, type of cement, carbonation and cover.
Typical section of rebound hammer and testing method are shown in fig 2.1 and 2.2.

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 Fig. 2.1, typical section of rebound hammer

Fig. 2.2: Rebound Hammer Testing

4. CARBONATION DEPTH MEASUREMENT TEST
Carbonation is a process of formation of calcium carbonate from hydrated cement
material in presence of carbon dioxide and moisture. It is also called depassivation.
Carbonation depth measurement test is also simple method of testing. It is usually
done to determine the depth of carbonation in concrete and provide the information
about risk of reinforcement bar corrosion. To test the carbonation, 1%
phenolphthalein is sprayed over suspected surface and if surface remains uncolored
then there will be chance of carbonation effect. The depth of carbonation can be
found out by using simple formula.

5. PERMEABILITY TEST
Permeability of concrete is important when dealing with durability of concrete of
water retaining structures and water tight structures. Permeability test measure the
how ease the liquid or gases can penetrate into the concrete. There are two widely
used method of testing the permeability, first one is initial surface absorption test and
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 second one is modified figg air permeability test. The method mentioned donot
measure the permeability directly but develop the permeability index which closely
related to method of measurement.

6. DYNAMIC OR VIBRATION TESTS

The ultrasonic pulse velocity method was developed in 1940s. The principle of test is
based on the progression of ultrasonic wave in elastic medium in which velocity of
propagation of ultrasonic wave is measured and velocity is related to the density of
medium (v=(e/p)1/2. Strength is deduced from the density of medium and frequency
of wave used is 15-150 khz. These tests include the resonance frequency and
mechanical sonic and ultrasonic pulse velocity methods. These tests are use to
evaluate the durability and uniformity of concrete, and to estimate of strength and
elastic property of concrete. It can also develop the ultrasonic tomography of the
concrete members and detect the different types of defects such as thickness of
layer of inferior quality concrete, change in property of concrete, compressive
strength and modulus of elasticity. There are three types of testing in pulse velocity
method; direct transmission, semi direct transmission and surface transmission as
illustrated in Fig. 3.1. Out of three method of testing, direct transmission method is
the best but need access to two opposite sides of concrete members. Surface
transmission method is shown in photo 1. There are several factors which affect the
result of testing such as degree of coupling, presence of reinforcing bars, concrete
temperature, moisture content, mix proportion, age of concrete, stress level in
concrete. The correction factors are to be applied for output if above influencing
factors are to be encountered while testing.

ULTRASONIC PULSE ECO

Ultrasonic pulse eco method is an acoustic method based on introducing the
ultrasonic stress wave into concrete with a piezoelectric element. Signal generation
and detection both are done with piezoelectric crystals. Internal feather of concrete
can be detected with one sided access to the structures. The principal is based on
the measurement of time interval between transmitting the ultrasonic impulse into the
structures and receiving an eco.

3.6.2 IMPACT-ECO/RESONANCE FREQUENCY/STRESS WAVE TEST

A number of non destructive test methods rely on the effect a structure has on the
propagation of stress wave. The most common techniques are pulse-eco, impact-
eco, impulse-response and spectral analysis of surface wave. This method is an
effective method of locating the large voids or delaminations in plate like structures
e.g. pavements or bridge decks.

The pulse velocity method is widely used method of NDT. The testing procedure is
simple and equipment is readily available. However, the relation between strength
and pulse velocity is in general not reliable enough for practical purpose. For
overcoming these effects, relative amplitude method may be an alternative method
for checking it. For some special types of investigation, it is more convenient to use

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 both the ultrasonic pulse velocity test and the rebound hammer test in association
with the concrete compressive strength to establish the concrete quality.

Fig. 3.1. Type of testing

Photo1: UPVM (Ultrasonic Pulse Eco) in Tunnel, Chameliya Hydropower Project

7. COMBINED METHODS
The combined method involves the use of ultrasonic pulse velocity and rebound
hammer for estimation of strength and durability. It is also called SONREB
(SONIC+REBOUND) method which is used to improve the accuracy of estimation of
compressive strength of concrete. The compressive strength can be found out by
using following formula.
Fck= a x Vb x Sc, where fck= compressive strength, a, b and c are constant, V is the
ultrasonic velocity and S is the rebound value.

8. PENETRATION AND PULLOUT TECHNIQUE

These tests include use of simbi hammer, spit pins, the Windsor probe and pullout
tests. These measure the penetration and pullout resistance of concrete and are
used for strength estimation, and they can also be used for comparative study.
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 9. SURFACE HARDNESS TEST
This test includes impact hammer and William testing pistol, which are usually
applied for estimation of concrete strength.

10. RADIOACTIVE AND NUCLEAR METHODS

These include the x-ray and Gamma ray penetration tests for measurement of
thickness and density of concrete. Neutron scattering and Neutron activation
methods are used for moisture and cement content determination.

11. MAGNETIC AND ELECTRICAL METHODS

Magnetic methods are primarily concerned with the determination of cover of
reinforcement in concrete. Whereas, electrical methods, including microwave
absorption technique, are used to measure moisture content and thickness of
concrete.

12. ACOUSTIC EMISSION TECHNIQUE

These are used to study the initiation and growth of cracks in concrete.

13. GROUND PENETRATION RADAR

Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) is electromagnetic analogue of sonic and
ultrasonic pulse eco method. It is based on the propagation of electromagnetic
energy through materials of different dielectric constant. GPR is non destructive
technique with wide range of application in testing of concrete. It is useful technique
for finding out delamination and other types of defects which can occur in bar or
overlaid reinforcement slab or deck. It can also be used for determining the voids
and thickness of concrete members.

4. CONCLUSION

Non destructive Testing is essential tool of concrete quality control after it hardens. For
Engineers and Stakeholders, long service life of infrastructures is an ultimate target in
this world. Once the concrete hardens, its quality will be assessed only by NDT without
breaking it. Aging and disastrous damage due to natural events like earthquake in
concrete structures have updated the urgent need of continuing repair/maintenance of
structures. NDT technique and evaluation are gaining importance to plan
rehabilitation/repair of the damaged structures. As concrete is most complex material,
NDT result only cannot provide the exact result and it should be evaluated along with the
results from standard compression tests. To be a proper data analyst, in depth
knowledge and experience are the most important factors for Engineer.

References:

1. Indian Standard (IS) 13311 (part 2): 1992- Rebound Hammer

2. Indian Standard (IS) 13311 (part 1): 1992- Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
3. BS 1881, Testing Concrete Pt 203
4. ASTM C597

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 5. Guide to Non Destructive Testing of Concrete, US Department of Transportation
6. Guide Book on Non Destructive Testing of Concrete Structures, IAEA, VIENNA, 2002

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