ASSESSMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF IN-SITU STRENGTH OF

CONCRETE
In-situ strength of concrete

K.C.G. ONG and N. NANDAKUMAR

Associate Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Construction Materials
and Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, National University of
Singapore, Singapore.

Durability of Building Materials and Components 8. (1999) Edited by M.A. Lacasse

and D.J. Vanier. Institute for Research in Construction, Ottawa ON, K1A 0R6,
Canada, pp. 222-230.
National Research Council Canada 1999

Abstract

A series of penetration resistance tests (PRT) were conducted in the laboratory on

concrete specimens to determine the in-situ characteristic strength of concrete.
This was carried out in conjunction with core tests and cube compressive tests. It
was found that the PRT and core tests tend to provide respectively an upper and
lower bound estimate of the cube compressive strength. Major influencing factors
including coarse aggregate content, proximity to reinforcement and carbonation
that affect these two tests are reviewed and a method for the selection of an
appropriate bias factor for each of the tests is proposed based on experimental
studies carried out.

Keywords: appraisal, concrete, core tests, in-situ strength, non-destructive testing,

penetration, retrofit, ultrasonic pulse velocity.

1 Introduction

Maintenance and upgrading of old RC structures are necessary for various

reasons. Before any remedial action could be taken structural appraisal is
essential. Such appraisal usually involve a process in which a structure is assessed
by carrying out various tests to evaluate its existing condition to provide a basis
for the recommendation of appropriate remedial measures to restore structural
integrity, if necessary. NDT methods are usually fast and reasonably reliable.
Hence, they are commonly used for structural assessment in conjunction with
testing of cored concrete samples.
One method currently used in Singapore is the penetration resistance tests
(PRT). This test (Bungey 1982, 1989) involves driving a 75mm specially
designed steel probe into the concrete with a standardised explosive cartridge, and
the standards are set out in (ASTM C803 1996). The principal physical limitations
of this method are the need for adequate edge distance and probe spacing as well
as the requirement that a member thickness of at least twice the anticipated
penetration is required. The effect caused by the presence of reinforcement in
close proximity to a probe being driven is uncertain, and a minimum clearance of
50mm between probes and reinforcing bars has been recommended (Bungey
1982, 1989). The coarse aggregate content present in the mix will also contribute
to a change in resistance against penetration of the probe. It is possible to correlate
the PRT to the compressive strength of concrete provided that appropriate
consideration is given to the influencing factors. (Lee et al. 1989) correlated the
PRT with the compressive strength of concrete of a number of concrete mixes in
an earlier study.
A more direct method of obtaining an estimate of the in-situ compressive
concrete strength of an existing structure is to drill cylindrical cores for testing in
compression. Standards are available in most countries describing the procedures
for trimming, testing and to a lesser extent interpretation of core strengths (BS
1881 Part 120 1983; ASTM C42 1994; ACI 318 1995). When assessing the in-
situ strength of concrete by coring, the following factors, viz., reduction of
strength due to coring process, effect of state of stress, shrinkage and sustained
loading effects, and the difficulty in strength evaluation based usually on a very
limited number of core samples, have to be considered.
Although the need for in-situ measurements is clear, some of the features
and especially the limitations of available test methods may result in unreliable
values being used in structural appraisal. The objective of this investigation was to
study some of the factors affecting the penetration resistance and core tests on
concrete specimens. In particular, the following influencing factors affecting
penetration resistance tests, namely, effect of age, effect of coarse aggregate
content, effect of proximity of reinforcing bars and effect of carbonation are
investigated.

2 Experimental programme

2.1 Materials used

Ordinary Portland cement, river sand, crushed granite aggregates of sizes
ranging from 0 to 20mm were used. Steel bars consisted of high yield steel (fy =
460 MPa) and links consisted of hot rolled mild steel (fy = 250 MPa) were used in
the reinforced concrete specimens. Four mix proportions were chosen (Mix 1,
Mix 2, Mix 3 and Mix 4), consisting of cement: fine aggregates: coarse
aggregates: water, viz., 1.0:2.5:2.66:0.65, 1.0:2.50:3.16:0.65, 1.0:2.50:3.72:0.65
and 1.0:3.22:3.22:0.70.

2.2 Test specimens

The specimens were divided into six series (A to F). In Series A, three mix
proportions were used to study the effect of coarse aggregate content on PRT
measurements. For each mix, four 300mm cuboid blocks were cast, accompanied
by twelve 150mm cubes. Two methods of discharging the probe in the low-power
range, were also investigated. The two discharging methods I and II were
conducted on the specimens at ages of 3 and 28 days. In Method I, a standard
adaptor is cushioned by 50mm air-gap from the charge, while, Method II uses
another adaptor in direct contact with the charge as described (Ngui 1992). Coring
was not carried out in this series.
 Series B and C were conducted to study the effect of size and proximity of
reinforcement on PRT. In addition to penetration resistance tests, core tests were
carried out on the same specimens to establish a relationship between the tests. A
mix containing a coarse aggregate content of 0.42% by volume, was used to cast
both the series. Series B comprises 4 specimens, 600mm long and 300mm in
cross-section. Series C consists of two specimens, 700mm long and 400mm in
cross-section. The specimens were subjected to PRT (using Method I low-power
technique) and cores drilled and tested at 3 days. UPV measurements and PRT
were taken at the same location to check for consistency of pulse velocities.
Series D and E using a coarse aggregate content of 0.42% by volume, were
used to study the effect of proximity and neighbouring bars on PRT
measurements. Tests carried out were similar to those on Series B and C, at 28
days using Method II in the low-power range of PRT. Tests were also carried out
at 21 days using Method II on specimens in Series D.
In Series F, the effect of carbonation on PRT was studied. Three cubes of
size 200mm were used. The blocks were placed in an environmental chamber
with the environment within maintained at a relative humidity and temperature of
70% and 20C, respectively. The concentration of carbon dioxide gas present in
the chamber was maintained at 7% by volume. Accompanying specimens were
also left at ambient conditions in the laboratory (28C and 82% R.H). All the
specimens were tested at 63 days. The specimens were weighed and UPV
measurements were taken across the PRT locations prior to testing to ensure
consistency.

2.3 Specimen preparation

Six cubes were cast for each mix to determine the compressive strength of
concrete. Two 300mm size cuboid blocks were also cast for each mix to measure
the penetration resistance of plain concrete. In each block, a 100mm diameter core
was drilled vertically with respect to the casting surface right through the block.
The core was then trimmed to obtain two cores, each measuring 100mm in length.
The specimens were demoulded after one day and air cured in the laboratory till
the age of testing. All specimens were tested dry at 3 and 28 days. In Series D, an
additional block was cast to conduct PRT test at 21 days.
Cubes, cylinders and core samples obtained from specimens and blocks,
were weighed and subjected to UPV tests to check for consistency and for the
presence of voids in the concrete before testing. UPV measurements were also
taken across PRT locations on blocks and reinforced specimens.

3 Experimental results and discussion

The UPV measurements made on reinforced specimens, blocks, standard

cubes and cores did not show any sign of major voids or cracks. Typical average
pulse velocity readings for Mix 1 and 3 at 3 and 28 days ranged from 3.37 to 3.69
km/s and 3.75 to 4.01 km/s respectively. The difference between the maximum
and minimum depth of penetration of probes in each series of tests on blocks,
cylinders and specimens averaged about 3mm. Thus, reflecting the consistency of
the results obtained using the penetration resistance tests. Generally, tests carried
out 3 days after casting indicated a greater variation in probe penetration than
those carried out at 28 days. However, the difference is not significant enough to
affect the overall results.

3.1 Penetration resistance test results

3.1.1 Effect of coarse aggregate content

The influence of coarse aggregate (CA) content on penetration resistance
test is more significant in young concrete. From Fig. 1, it is seen that by
decreasing the coarse aggregate content, the depth of probe penetration is
increased. For a given method, at 28 days, the different amounts of coarse
aggregate in the three mixes did not cause any significant change in the estimated
cube strength obtained by PRT. This could be due to an improved bond at the
aggregate matrix interface. Fig. 1 also shows that by using PRT to estimate the
strength of concrete at a younger age, corrections have to be made especially in
Method II for lower CA content. The increase in depth of penetration of the probe
is probably due to the less developed bond at the aggregate/matrix interface at a
younger age. A decrease in the energy of the probe as it leaves the driver is
evident when Method I is employed. The absence of an air gap in Method II
allowed the probe to be driven further into the concrete.

3.1.2 Effect of proximity of reinforcement

Fig. 2 shows the effect of proximity of reinforcement on PRT. A minimum
spacing of 175mm has been suggested (ASTM C803 1996) between probes and
hence, the zone of influence of the probe being driven into a concrete mass is thus
expected to radiate a distance 87.5mm from the centre of the probe. (Nasser and
Al-Manaseer 1987) reported that as long as the nearest steel bars in concrete are
located outside this zone of influence, the presence of steel bars in concrete did
not affect the probe penetration. This is also reflected in Fig. 2 which indicates
that probes driven at a distance of 75mm or more from the nearest reinforcement
bar tend to provide a similar estimate of the cube strength. In general,
overestimation of the concrete strength was evident by PRT when probes were
driven 90mm or less and 50mm or less from the nearest bar respectively, when
specimens tested by Method I and Method II.

3.1.3 Effect of carbonation

(Nasser and Al-Manaseer 1987) reported that there is no effect of
carbonation on PRT. However, the limited number of penetration resistance tests
conducted on 200mm cubical blocks indicate a significant decrease in probe
penetration as the depth of carbonation increases (Fig. 3). This could be due to the
fact that carbonation affects the surface zones of the concrete only. If the depth of
carbonation is significant compared to the penetration depth then the penetration
depth of the probe decreases.

3.1.4 Velocity tests on probes

Some results on the actual velocity of the probes as it leaves the driver is
summarised briefly (Tan 1996). Two different Windsor probe driver units were
used and the velocity of the probes measured were reported in Table 1. From
Table 1, it is observed that there is no significant difference in the average
velocities of probes discharged by the two driver units although they were
purchased ten years apart. The first unit is of a model not in current production
and has been in use for about ten years. Method A used in measuring the
discharge velocity of the probe, the two driver units have the same average
discharge velocity. However, the new driver exhibited a slightly higher coefficient
of variation when compared to the old driver. It is also observed that the average
probe velocity measured ranged between 180 m/s and 187 m/s, which more or less
confirms with the manufacturers claim that this average is 183m/s. However,
actual velocities measured can be as low as 166.7 m/s or as high as 201.7 m/s.

Table 1: Velocities of the probe

Type of experiments Average velocity Coefficient of variation

(m/s) (%)
Method A - old driver (Tan 1996) 185.0 2.6
Method B - new driver (Tan 1996) 185.0 3.0
Method C - new driver (Tan 1994) 179.8 3.4
Method D - new driver (Lee 1995) 187.0 3.7

3.2 Core test results

The average compressive strength of cores drilled from corresponding
specimens cast using the same mix were generally 10 to 40% lower than that
obtained by crushing 150mm cubes. This could be caused by some of the factors
discussed earlier namely the limited number of core samples and the damage
caused during coring process.

3.2.1 Effect of coarse aggregate content

Fig. 4 shows that the coarse aggregate (CA) content of concrete block
specimens from which cores were extracted affects the ratio of the estimated cube
strength to the actual cube strength at both 3 and 28 day strengths. The ratio is
significantly low for all the mixes at 3 days. This may be due to weaker bond at
the aggregate matrix interface at 3 days resulting in more damage caused by
coring.

4 Analysis of test data

4.1 Interpretation of penetration resistance and core test results

The data obtained from core tests and penetration tests can be used to
estimate the characteristic strength, taken for the present study to be mean minus
1.64 times standard deviation. Since, the factors contributing to the statistical
variation in the core tests and penetration resistance tests are different, their
combined results are not cohesive, even, when testing specimens cast using the
same batch of concrete. Hence, there is a need to calculate the characteristic
strength obtained from cores and that from probes independently. The actual
characteristic strength fk, may be derived from the individual characteristic
strengths from cores and probes by multiplying the latter by bias factors for cores
and PRT respectively. For the present study, these factors are assumed constant.

vc fck fk (1)

vp fpk fk (2)
 Estimated cube strength from PRT on blocks
1.4

Actual cube strength

METHOD I
30 DAYS
1.2
28 DAYS

1.0 28 DAYS

METHOD II
30 DAYS

0.8

M1 M2 M3
0.34 0.38 0.42
% V o lume of coarse aggregate

Fig.1 Effect of volume of coarse aggregate on PRT

Fig. 1: Effect of volume of coarse aggregate on PRT

1 .5
Estimated cube strength from PRT on blocks

1 .4

1 .3
Actual cube strength

M IX 3
METHOD I
1 .2 3 DAYS

1 .1
M IX 1
M E T H O D II
28 DAYS
1 .0 M IX 2
M E T H O D II
28 DAYS
0 .9 M IX 1
M E T H O D II
21 DAYS

0 .8

20 40 60 80 100 120 140

D istance from n e a rest reinforcem e n t bar or link (m m )

Fig. 2:FEffect
ig.2 Effect of proxim
of proximity ity o f rein on
of reinforcement forcem
PRT e n t o n P R T
 D e p th o f c a r b o n a tio n (m m )
0 4 8 12 16 20 24

15 AFTER 2 W EEKS
EXPOSURE
Depth of probe penetration (mm)

16
AFTER 1 W EEK
EXPOSURE
17

M IX 4
18 M E THOD I
63 DAYS
NON CARBONATED
BLOCK
19

20

F i g3:
Fig. . 3Effect
E f f eofc carbonation
t o f c a r b o on
n aprobe
t i o n penetration
o n p r o b e p e n e tra tio n
Estimated cube strength from PRT on blocks

1 .2
Actual cube strength

1 .0

28 DAYS
0 .8 30 DAYS

0 .6

M1 M2 M3

0 .3 4 0 .3 8 0 .4 2
% V o lum e o f coarse aggregate

FFig.
ig .4 E f f eofc tvolume
4: Effect o f v oofl ucoarse
m e oaggregate
f c o a r sone cores
aggregate on cores
 Where, vc and vp are constant bias factors. If fk is underestimated by the core
results and overestimated by the probe results, then,

fck < fk < fpk (3)

thus

1.0 < vc < fpk/fck (4)

fck/fpk < vp < 1.0 (5)

Bayesian statistical approach was employed to provide a range of bias

factors for strength estimation, obtained from PRT and core test. The steps
involved are as follows:
1. The characteristic strength from corresponding cubes was obtained and
compared with the uncorrected characteristic strength from cores and PRT.
2. The maximum and minimum ranges of bias factors were also obtained. By
predicting a range of bias factors limited by factors affecting both PRT and
cores, an estimated range of characteristic cube strength is obtained. Since the
characteristic strength obtained from cubes is known then the actual bias
factors (assumed constant) for PRT and cores can be determined.
Bias factors and characteristic strength of specimens tested is reported in
Table 2. All these values obtained using low-power method I are within the
expected range of bias factors reported in an earlier study (Lee et. al. 1989).
Observing the bias factors obtained using low-power method II, it is assumed that
the bias factor for PRT should be less than 1.0.

Table 2: Bias factors and characteristic strength for specimens tested.

Test specimen Method of Age vc vp fk

driving (MPa)
Mix 1 Low-power I 28 days 1.47 0.90 23.7
Mix 2 Low-power I 28 days 1.20 0.89 26.9
Mix 3 Low-power I 3 days 1.33 0.88 18.3
Mix 3 Low-power I 28 days 1.14 .087 27.8
Mix 1 Low-power II 28 days 1.29 0.99 20.3
Mix 2 Low-power II 28 days 1.35 1.00 27.3

5 Conclusions

The following conclusions can be drawn from this investigation:

1. An increase in coarse aggregate content increases the ratio of estimated cube
compressive strength from PRT to actual cube strength.
2. The presence of reinforcement may affect the depth of probe penetration
depending on the proximity of probe location to the nearest reinforcing bar. It
was observed that the presence of reinforcing bars within the proximity of
50mm generally cause an overestimation of the in-situ cube compressive
strength using PRT.
3. An increase in the depth of carbonation in concrete decreases the depth of
probe penetration.
4. An increase in coarse aggregate content increases the ratio of estimated cube
compressive strength from cores to actual cube strength.
5. The estimation of in-situ characteristic cube strength of concrete can be
correlated with PRT and core test results using the Bayesian statistical
approach. However, the nature of influencing factors need to be identified and
the selection of the appropriate overall bias factor for each situation need to be
systematically explored so that specific guidelines may be proposed to aid
engineers engaged in this field of work.

6 References

ACI 318. (1995) Building Code requirements for Reinforced Concrete. American
Concrete Institute, Detroit.
ASTM C803. (1996) Test for penetration resistance of hardened concrete.
American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia.
ASTM C42. (1994) Standard test method for obtaining and testing drilled cores
and sawed beams of concrete. American Society for Testing and Materials,
Philadelphia.
BS 1881 Part 120. (1983) Method for determination of the compressive strength
of concrete cores. British Standards Institution, London.
Bungey, J.H. (1982, 1989) The testing of concrete in structures. Surrey University
Press.
Lee, S.L., Tam, C.T., Ong, K.C.G., Swaddiwudhipong, S. and Quek, S.T. (1989)
Appraisal and repair of concrete structures. Journal of the Institution of
Engineers, Singapore, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 41 49.
Lee, T.K. (1995) Improved windsor probe test for in-situ concrete strength
assessment. BEngg Thesis, National University of Singapore.
Nasser, K.W. and Al-Manaseer, A.A. (1987) Comparison of non-destructive
testers of hardened concrete. ACI Materials Journal, Vol. 84, No. 5. pp. 374
380.
Ngui, A. (1992) Assessment and interpretation of in-situ strength of concrete
using penetration resistance, ultrasonic pulse velocity and core tests.
BEngg. Thesis, National University of Singapore, 106 pp.
Tan, H.S. (1996) Improvement of a velocity sensor for an impact concrete tester.
BEngg. Thesis, National University of Singapore, 52pp.
Tan, K.L. (1994) Evaluation and modification of impact testing of concrete.
BEngg. Thesis, National University of Singapore.