NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

INTRODUCTION

Concrete are tested for two main purposes, for control of quality and to check its
compliance with specifications. The non-destructive testing (NDT) of hardened
concrete is carried out to test the in-situ strength of concrete structures. A few non-
destructive tests have been devised to measure concrete properties without
destroying the structures.
In general these non-destructive testing are carried out during and after construction.
When construction is in progress, tests are carried out if there are doubts on the
quality of works. It is also useful in determining the strength before false work could
be removed safely or in avoiding premature loading. Non- destructive testing may be
used during service for instance in rehabilitation and repair works where obvious
signs of structural failures like cracks, deflection, rusting of steel bars were detected.

Three types of non-destructive tests will be carried out in the laboratory consisting of:
1. Electromagnet Cover meter
2. Rebound Hammer test (Schmidt’s hammer)
3. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test (Pundit Test)

OBJECTIVE

Electromagnet Cover meter

1. To determine the depth of concrete cover, size of reinforcement and
orientation of reinforcement bars in a beam.

Rebound Hammer Test (Schmidt Hammer)

1. To estimate the strength of concrete.
2. To measure the uniformity and strength of concrete.

Ultrasonic Pulse Test

1. To estimate the strength and the elastic modulus of concrete mix.
2. To determine the quality and homogeneity of concrete.
3. To determine the existence of flaws, voids, and cracks in concrete.
PROCEDURES:
Electromagnet Cover meter

Figure 1: Electromagnet Cover Meter

Figure 1 shows the sample of electromagnet cover meter that usually used in
concrete work. It is essential that the electromagnet cover meter be calibrated before
use.
For this experiment, you will be given a sample of reinforced concrete beam as
shown in Figure 2.

For determining the position of shear reinforcement:

1. detector unit Lightly pressed on the top surface of the beam.

2. arrow mark is alligned on the detector unit with the shear reinforcement of
the beam Fig 2(a)

3. the meter showed the lowest reading accompanied by high pitch sound by
moving the unit in the direction as shown in Figure 2(a) . The highest pitch
showed the exact location of reinforcement as the indicator that the shear bar
is directly below the unit Fig. 2(b).

4. Postion is marked on top of beam surface and moved the unit in the same
direction to trace the other shear reinforcement bars.
Figure 2(a)

Figure 2(b)

Figure 2(c)
To determine the position of main reinforcement bar:
1. the detector unit located at top surface on the beam is lightly pressed
2. The arrow mark on the detector unit is alligned along with the main reinforcement
of the beam
3. The unit direction is moved to the shear bar with the main reinforcement of the
beam .
4. Lastly ,the position of the bar is marked on the beam surface.

To determine the concrete cover of the beam:

1. Determination of the concrete cover for the main reinforcement can be

accomplished by moving the detector from top to bottom on the front surface
of the beam.

2. Mark the position where meter shows the lowest reading indicating the
position of the reinforcement, from which the cover can be determined.

Rebound Hammer test

 Figure 3: Several types of Rebound Hammer

The rebound hammer test used the rebound of a spring loaded mass and its
impacted against the sample at a defined energy.the rebound is depend on the
hardness of the concrete and is measured by the test equipment. The Rebound
hammer test measures the elastic rebound of concrete and is primarily used for
estimation of concrete strength and for comparative investigations. Figure 3 shows
the sample of Schmidt Hammer that usually used in rebound hammer test. The
procedures of rebound hammer testing are listed below:
With a chalk draw small boxes along Line 1 and 2 and mark them as A, B, C, and D
at the front surface of the beam to show the positions of testing (Fig. 4)

Figure 4

1.the plunger was pressed against the concrete surface as the hammer released
and rebound back.

2.as the rebound occured,recorder its frequency by filling in the table .and take more
readings at 4 times around position A and repeat by using position B,C,D
3. took at least 5 more readings for each postion respectively,

Ultrasonic Pulse Test (Pundit test)

Ultrasonic pulse velocity method consists of measuring the time of travel of an
ultrasonic pulse, passing through the concrete to be tested. Figure 5 shows the
component of ‘Pundit’ equipment that usually used in concrete work. The procedures
of ultrasonic pulse velocity testing are listed below:

1. the test at position marked ,A,B,C,D is carried out for two lines ,line 1 and line 2
similar as in Schmidt Hammaer Test.

2. The grease is spread on the concrete’s surface which is to be tested to allow more
contact with the transducers.

3. the transmitter is placed on the marked position and the receiver on the opposite
side of the beam.

4. the time taken was redorded for the ultrasonic pulse to travel from the transmitter
through the thickness of the beam to the receiver.
Fig. 5: Ultrasonic Pules diagram