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Evaluation of Concrete Structures by Advanced Nondestructive Test Methods -Impact Echo Test, Impulse Response Test and Radar Survey
Yong Hao, Zheng and Kee Ee, Ng SETSCO Services Pte Ltd, Singapore John Wei, Ong SETSCO Services (M) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
Abstract
The authors have frequently involved in the investigation and evaluation of various concrete structures for the past few years in Singapore and Malaysia. Advanced nondestructive test methods including impact echo test, impulse response test and radar survey have been used. In this article, the authors briefly introduce the applications of these methods. Investigation approach and analysis used for different cases are discussed. Test influencing factors are also highlighted. Two case studies on the evaluation of concrete quality of a bridge deck and detection of voids in post tension tendon ducts in pre-stressed slab are introduced here. Key words: Concrete, Advanced Nondestructive Test (NDT) Methods, Evaluation
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Radar survey has been successfully used to locate reinforcing bars and post-tensioning tendons, to estimate the thickness of slab, wall, pavement and more recently to locate and identify concrete anomalies and deterioration (i.e. moisture variations, delamination, honeycombing or fractures). The most attractive features of this technique are its ability to scan large area under investigation in a short time; its high sensitivity to subsurface moisture and embedded metal; its capability to detect both metallic and non-metallic objects.
(1)
Where, T - the thickness of the plate-like structures; C p - the P-wave speed, it can be measured in accordance with ASTM C1383; f - the frequency of the P-wave thickness mode of the plate obtained from the amplitude spectrum. In practice, if the P-wave speed, C p, could be measured at a known thickness area (sound concrete area), it is more convenient and accurate. 2.2 Evaluation of Concrete Integrity for Plate-like Structures There have been numerous applications where advanced NDT had been employed to evaluate the integrity of concrete structural members such as diaphragm wall, RC silo wall, bridge box girder wall, roof slab, bridge deck etc. The tests are typically requested to check possible problems such as honeycombing, bulging, zone of weakness or high porosity due to contamination by heavy rain during casting and others. Generally, if the affected area to be tested was large, impulse response test was the first method used to locate the relevant weak zones for further analysis. The impulse response test was typically carried out at a grid pattern of 0.5m spacing or less. The measured parameter of the impulse response test, i.e. the average mobility could be plotted out onto the layout of grid intervals. Mobility is defined as the surface velocity divided by the applied force. The average mobility is defined as mean value of mobility over the frequency range, i.e. 1 Hz to 1 kHz, which is correlated with the thickness and elastic properties of test member. Poor consolidation and honeycombing structure causes a rise in the average mobility [4]. Since the average mobility is a function of elastic properties of the test members, higher mobility might also indicate lower concrete strength. Subsequently, impact echo test was carried out to assess the concrete condition at the selected weaker zones for verification. The impact echo test was typically conducted on a smaller grid pattern, i.e. 200mm. Determination of honeycombing or void was based on the analysis of the distribution of amplitude versus frequency spectrum. A typical test spectrum obtained from impact echo test from sound concrete exhibits single large amplitude which corresponds to the P-wave thickness frequency (domain frequency). However, in case of concrete with sub-surface anomalies, similar amplitude will appear at a lower frequency than that of the domain frequency (often accompanied with some amplitude at higher frequencies). Impact echo test is a point testing method that provides test data within a small area under the test. A case study for evaluation of concrete quality for a bridge deck is introduced in this article. 2.3 Investigation of Voids in Post Tension Tendon Ducts in Slab and Beams The presence of voids within the tendon duct can be due to blockages, improper grouting procedures, grouting material problems and construction oversight. Inadequate grouting may not fully protect the tendon against corrosion and hence reduce the durability. Radar survey was used initially to locate the tendon duct profile with high degree of accuracy. This was followed by the impact echo test along the tendon ducts at typically 0.5m interval. Findings of the impact echo test depend on the analysis of the recorded frequency spectra. A sound concrete slab element exhibits single large amplitude (domain frequency) that corresponds to the thickness frequency. Similarly, for a fully grouted tendon duct, the domain frequency is at slightly lower thickness frequency and a second smaller amplitude peak due to the presence of tendon strands may be observed. Void in tendon duct is normally indicated by the presence of the peak amplitudes at a higher frequency range, accompanied by a shifted domain frequency. However, if the duct is partially grouted or the duct is relatively deep as compared to its dimension, the signal may not be distinct or large in amplitude as those produced by completely empty ducts. A case study for investigation of voids in post tension tendon ducts of pre-stressed slab is introduced in this article. 2.4 Correlation with Intrusive Testing The techniques discussed above, though are considered advanced especially in this region, almost always require intrusive testing to verify the analysis and findings. This is because firstly, such methods can only provide qualitative or indirect information about the conditions of the test members. Secondly and probably more importantly for this region is the lack of confidence on the accuracy of the interpretation in the industry. This is understandably due to the lack of use and awareness of these techniques. Physical investigation could be in the form of coring and extraction of core sample, hacking away a small portion of the concrete, drilling hole and conducting fibrescope inspection, etc. Concrete core samples are preferably to be extracted from locations where NDT results indicate the presence of anomalies in the concrete members. These cores can be subjected to further tests such as visual and microscopic examination and compressive strength test to obtain the physical condition and properties. It is also a good practice to carry out early verification during the course of investigation to assess the suitability and reliability of the selected NDT methods before embarking on full scale investigation with these tools.
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results. The following information should be gathered:a. Details of the layout plan and structural members, i.e. location of the supporting beams of floor slab, location of the column in basement wall, design thickness of the wall or slab etc. In impulse response test, average mobility is affected by the stiffness of the tested members i.e. at areas near stiffening columns or beams lower average mobility will be obtained. b. The position of any embedded objects or utilities within the concrete, i.e. location of the tendon ducts in slab and beams (if any), location of water stops in water tank wall and basement wall, etc. This can help the operator to decide whether "anomaly" signals are from embedded objects in the concrete. Figure 1 presents one of the recorded impact echo test signals suggesting anomaly in the concrete. It was from a basement wall. Verification work carried out by hacking away the concrete found a rubber water stop in the concrete instead (see Figure 2). The wall thickness was 200mm and the water stopper was located at the center of the wall. The recorded "anomaly" signal was thus from the water stop. c. Information regarding the repair method and the repair material used, i.e. depth of the concrete removal, age of the grout, type of grout etc. The authors found that some existing Polyurethane grout (PU grout) could affect the radar survey. Early age grout will also affect the impact echo test significantly. Sometimes, the signals from such areas are weak with high variations making the test difficult. d. For detection of voids in post tension tendon ducts, it is necessary to obtain some information such as changes in geometry of the structural member, depth or cover changes of the tendon ducts etc. prior to the test. Early verification by intrusive method is always recommended if anomaly signals are found.
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(2)
Where, d - the depth of the tendon duct from the surface; C p - the P-wave speed; In this investigation, one tendon duct was noted to be badly affected by poor grouting work. Figure 8 showed the recorded impact echo test signal at test point 7, located 3200mm away from the outlet hose (see Figure 6 for the tendon duct profile and test points). The depth of tendon duct at this point was 140mm. Expected frequency from the void tendon duct was computed to be 12.2 kHz (using equation (2)). In the recorded spectrum, the domain frequency was shifted down from 6.3 kHz to 5.4 kHz and a significant peak was observed at 12.2 kHz indicating the presence of void. For quality control, impact echo test was also performed on some randomly selected tendon ducts with no reported defects.
5.0 Conclusions
Some of the more advanced NDT techniques such as the impact echo, impulse response and radar have been in increasing use in Singapore and Malaysia. So far, these techniques have been successfully employed in investigating concrete problems despite their limited application here. This is contributed in part to the user friendliness of the new equipment and in others, careful use with skilled interpretation. However, verification tests such as intrusive testing are almost always inevitable. In addition, a combination of techniques will often optimise the findings and analysis. This will eventually go a long way in raising the confidence level of these relatively new techniques in this region. Nevertheless, efforts to promote the awareness and appreciation need to be stepped up to further spur the acceptance of these efficacious tools. Notwithstanding however, development of skilled and expert use and interpretation of the tests should receive no less emphasis.
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Reference:
1. ACI 228.2R-98 "Nondestructive Test Methods for Evaluation of Concrete in Structures". 2. ASTM C1383 "Test Method for Measurement P-Wave Speed and the Thickness of Concrete Plates Using the Impact-Echo Method". 3. Mary J. Sansalone and William B. Streett, 1997, "IMPACT-ECHO, Nondestructive Evaluation of Concrete and Masonry". 4. Davis, A.G., 1998: "Impact-Echo and Impulse Response Testing", TRB Annual Meeting, Workshop on New Technologies for NDT of Roads and Bridges, Jan. 1998, Washington DC, USA. START Publisher: DGfZP Programing: NDT.net
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