NON DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION TEST

Akhilesh Datta
Prakriti Sharma
M.Tech 3rd Sem.

CONTENTS
Overview of Non Destructive Tests
Types of Non Destructive Tests
In Situ Concrete Strength

1. Rebound Hammer Test

2. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
3. Windsor Probe
4. Capo / Pull Out Test
5. Core Cutting / Sampling & Lab Testing of Cores
6. Load Test

OVERVIEW
Non destructive testing (NDT) is the process of inspecting, testing, or
evaluating materials, components or assemblies for discontinuities,
or differences in characteristics without destroying the serviceability
of the part or system.

The purpose of NDT is to determine the quality and integrity of

materials, components or assemblies without affecting the ability to
perform their intended functions.

NDT methods explore indications of properties without reaching

component or assembly failures.

LIMITATIONS
The accuracy of NDT is not very high as most of the methods of
evaluation of concrete strength are based on indirect measurement of
concrete strength.

Non Destructive
Tests

In-situ Concrete
Strength

Chemical
Attack

Rebound
Hammer Test

Carbonation
Test

Ultrasonic
Pulse Velocity

Chloride
Test

Windsor Probe

Capo/Pull Out
Test
Core Sampling
& Lab Testing

Load Test

Sulphate
Test

Corrosion
Potential
Assessment
Cover Meter
Measurement
Half Cell
Method
Resistivity
Meter

Permeability

Fire Damage
Assessment

ThermoGravimetric
Analysis
(TGA)
Differential
Thermal
Analysis
(DTA)

X-Ray
Diffraction
(XRD)

Structural Integrity
/ Soundness
Assessment

Ultra-sonic
Pulse
Velocity
Method

Radiography

Impact Echo
Test

REBOUND HAMMER TEST

(IS 13311 Pt-2-1992 as well as BS: 6089-81 and BS: 1881:Pt-202)

The rebound hammer is a surface hardness

tester.
This method is used for
Assessing

the

Vertically Upwards

likely

compressive

strength of concrete.
Assessing the uniformity of concrete.
Assessing the quality of the concrete in
relation to standard requirements

Vertically Downwards

Assessing the quality of one element of

concrete in relation to another.
The test surface can be horizontal, vertical
or at any angle but the instrument must be
calibrated in this position.

Horizontal

APPARATUS
The instrument used for the
test is Schmidt hammer, that
weighs about 4 lb (1.8 kg)
Suitable for lab and field work.
It

consists

of

spring-

controlled hammer mass that

Schematic diagram of rebound hammer

slides on a plunger within a

tubular housing.

Impact Energy for Rebound Hammers for Different Applications

S No.

Applications

Approx. Impact Energy required for

the Rebound Hammers (Nm)

Normal weight concrete

2.25

Light weight concrete

0.75

Mass concrete (road, air field etc)

30.00

PROCEDURE
For testing - smooth, clean and
dry surface is to be selected.
In case the concrete is covered
with plaster, the plaster layer
should be chipped off to reveal
the

concrete

surface

for

Schematic diagram of operation of the rebound

hammer

conducting the test.

The point of impact should be at

least 20 mm away from any
edge or shape discontinuity.

A plunger of rebound hammer is

pressed against the surface.
Use of rebound hammer to detect the quality of
concrete in a slab in a fire damaged building

PROCEDURE contd..
A spring controlled mass with a
constant energy is made to hit
concrete

surface

to

rebound

back.
The extent of rebound, which is
a measure of surface hardness,

Schematic diagram of operation of the rebound

hammer

is measured on a graduated

scale and is designated as

Rebound Number (index).
A concrete with low strength and

low stiffness will absorb more

energy to yield in a lower
rebound value.

Use of rebound hammer by forming a grid

points

Factors affecting the results

1. Mix characteristics :
Cement type,
Cement Content,
Coarse aggregate type
2. Angle of Inclination of direction of

hammer with reference to horizontal

3. Member Characteristics
Mass,

Compaction,
Surface type,
Age,
Rate of hardening and curing type
Surface carbonation,
Moisture Condition,
Stress state and temperature.

Cube Compressive strength is N/mm

plotted against the rebound number

Strength Assessment
This test is conducted to assess the relative strength of concrete based

on the hardness at or near its exposed surface.

For new concrete construction, hammer is calibrated on concrete test
cubes

This method may give highly erroneous results for concrete whose
surface is exposed to atmosphere for longer periods (> 3 months).
This is due to hardening of concrete surface due to carbonation.

Test should generally be restricted to relatively new structures (< 3

months).

Survey of weak and delaminating concrete

As it require flat surface and large no. of readings to reduce variability, it

is not suited for use on spalled concrete surface of destressed structure.

Comparison of rebound no. help identify relative surface weakness in
concrete cover.

Locations with low rebound nos. are weak surface which require further
investigation.
Survey is done on
members in a

systematic way by
forming a grid
points with spacing

of 300mm X
300mm.

Quality of Concrete from Rebound Values

Comparative Hardness
Average rebound Quality of concrete
> 40

Very good

30 40

Good

20 30

Fair

< 20
0

Poor and/or delaminated

Very poor and/or delaminated

Source: Handbook on repairs & rehabilitation of RCC buildings; Chapter 3, Table 3.8

ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY (UPV) TEST (IS 13311 Pt-1-1992)

It is an in-situ, non destructive test to check the quality of concrete and
natural rocks.
In this test, the strength and quality of concrete or rock is assessed by
measuring the velocity of an ultrasonic pulse passing through a
concrete structure or natural rock formation.
This method could be used to establish:
the homogeneity of the concrete,
the presence of cracks, voids and other imperfections,

changes in the structure of the concrete which may occur with time,
the quality of the concrete in relation to standard requirements,
the quality of one element of concrete in relation to another, and

the values of dynamic elastic modulus of the concrete.

APPARATUS
It consist of :
Electrical pulse generator
Transducer (1 pair) frequency range of
20 kHz to 150 kHz
Amplifier,
Electronic timing device.
In-Direct
Transmission
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Tester

Direct Transmission

Semi Direct Transmission

T Transmitter
R receiver
L path length

PROCEDURE
This test consists of measuring travel time, T
of ultrasonic pulse of 50-54 kHz, produced by
an electro acoustical transducer, held in
contact with one surface of the concrete
member under test and receiving the same by a

T
L
R
Direct Transmission

similar transducer in contact with the surface at

the other end.
With the path length, L (i.e. the distance

between the two probes) and time of travel, T

R
Semi-Direct Transmission
L
T
R

the pulse velocity, V (V = L/T) is calculated.

Higher the elastic modulus, density and

integrity of the concrete, higher is the pulse

velocity.

In Direct / Surface
Transmission
Method of propagating
and receiving pulses

DIFFERENT SCENARIOS ENCOUNTERD IN DIRECT TRANSMITION

1. Sound travels shortest

distance

5. Wide cracks : no signal

received

2. Sound travels through steel

faster

6. Voids: sound travel around

with increase in travel time

3. Sound travels around cracks,

time transit increases

7. Micro cracks: sound travel

around with increase in travel
time

4. Narrow cracks: slight

increase in transit time

FACTORS AFFECTING PULSE VELOCITY (PV)1. Path length (PL)

Influence will be negligible
if it is less than 100mm when aggregate of 20mm is used, or
If it is less than 150mm when aggregate of 40mm is used.
2. Lateral dimensions of the specimen tested
Influence will be negligible
If least lateral dimension is not less than the wavelength of pulse.
3. Presence of reinforcing steel
Influence will be negligible
If bars run in direction at right angle to the pulse path and steel
quantity is small in relation to PL. (PV in steel > PV in concrete)
4. Moisture content of the concrete
It has small but significance effect
Velocity increase with increased moisture content, influence
marked more in low quality of concrete.

General Guidelines for Concrete Quality based on UPV

Pulse velocity

Concrete quality

> 4.0 km/sec

Very good to excellent

3.5 4.0 km/sec

Good to very good, slight porosity may exist.

3.0 3.5 km/sec

Satisfactory but loss of integrity is suspected

< 3.0 km/sec

Poor and loss of integrity exist

Identification of Corrosion Prone Location based on Pulse Velocity and

Hammer Readings
S No.

Test Results

Interpretations

High UPV values,

High rebound number

Not corrosion prone

Medium range UPV values,

Low rebound numbers

Surface delamination, low

surface
concrete, corrosion prone

Low UPV values,

High rebound numbers

Not corrosion prone, to be confirmed by

chemical tests, carbonation, pH

Low UPV values,

Low rebound numbers

Corrosion prone-requires chemical and

electrochemical tests.

quality

of

PENETRATION RESISTANCE METHOD

It is used to determine relative strengths of concrete.

This technique is based on the depth of penetration of steel alloy probes.
Because of the nature of equipment, it can not, and should not be
expected to yield absolute values of strength
2 types of tests are done
Windsor Probe Test
Pin Penetration Test

Windsor Probe

PNR Tester

WINDSOR PROBE APPARATUS

It is a hardness tester like rebound
hammer.
It consist of
A gun powder actuated driver,
Hardened steel-alloy rod probe,
Loaded cartridges,
A depth gauge

Windsor Probe

The probe has a diameter of 6.3 mm, length of 73 mm, and conical point

at the tip.
The rear of the probe is threaded and screwed into a probe-driving head,
which is 12.6 mm in diameter and fits snugly along with a rubber washer

into the bore of the driver.

WINDSOR PROBE TEST - WORKING

In this technique, a gunpowder-actuated
driver is used to fire a hardened alloy probe
into the concrete.
During testing, it is the exposed length of
probe, which is measured by a calibration
depth gauge.

Vertically Downwards

As the probe penetrates into the concrete,

test results are usually not affected by local

surface conditions, such as texture and

moisture content.
Damage in the form of cracking may be

caused to slender members.

Horizontal

WINDSOR PROBE TEST - WORKING

A minimum edge distance and member
thickness of 150mm is required.
Leave

50mm

distance

from

the

reinforcements present in the member as

its presence can affects the penetration
depth.

Vertically Downwards

The depth of penetration is inversely

proportional to the mortar strength and

coarse aggregate hardness.

Horizontal

PNR TESTER
low energy device as compared to
Windsor probe tester.
Sensitivity

is

reduced

at

higher

strength.
Not recommended for testing concrete

PNR Tester

having strength above 28 N/sqmm.

In this, a spring-loaded device, having
energy of about 1.3% of that of

Windsor Probe, is used to drive 3.56

mm diameter, a pointed, hardened
steel pin in to the concrete.
Effect of aggregate type on relationship
between concrete strength and
depth of probe penetration

PNR TESTER - WORKING

A pointed hardened steel pin is driven
into the concrete.
The penetration of pin creates a small
indentation (or hole) on the surface of
concrete.
The pin is removed from the hole, the
hole is cleaned with an air jet and the

Approximate shape of failure zone in probe

penetration test

hole depth is measured with a suitable depth gauge.

Each time a new pin is required as the pin gets blunted after use.
The strength properties of both mortar and stone aggregate influence the
penetration depth of the probe in a concrete.

PULLOUT (LOK) TEST

PRINCIPLE- PULL OUT TESTING WITH LOK-TEST AND CAPO TEST

This test is based on the principle that the force required to pull out a
cone of steel embedded in concrete is proportional to the strength of
concrete.

2 types of methods:

LOK test

CAPO test (Cut And Pull Out Test)

Pull out tests are used to:

Determine in-situ compressive strength of the concrete.
Ascertain the strength of concrete for carrying out post- tensioning

operations.
Determine the time for removal of forms and shores based on actual
in-situ strength of the structure.

Terminate curing based on in-situ strength of the structure.

LOK TEST

CAPO TEST

Cast in steel disc is used

Expandable ring is used

Diameter of both the disc and the ring is 25mm. The distance to the concrete
surface is also 25mm. The inner diameter of the counter pressure is 55mm.
Embedding an insert into the fresh
concrete while casting and then
pulling out with a jack (LOK test- LOK
meaning punch) after hardening
after a specified period.

Insert fixed into a hole drilled into the

hardened concrete and then pulling
out with a jack (CAPO test- cut and
pull out).This second method offers
greater flexibility for conducting insitu tests on hardened concrete of
existing structures.

Pull off force compressive strength

relationship

95% Confidence Limits

Typical Pull out force Calibration
Chart

For an average of two cylinders and

four Pull-Out Tests
Max. Aggregate Size
16mm - - - - - -

Max. Aggregate Size

32mm - - - - - -

PROCEDURE

Sequence of operations in pull out testing. The force required to extract the disc is
measured and correlated with compressive strength of concrete.

 It is superior to rebound hammer and Windsor probe test because of

greater depth of concrete volume tested.

This test is not affected by type of cement and aggregate

characteristics.
This test is not recommended for aggregate size beyond 38 mm.

Limitation- requires special care at the time of placement of inserts to

minimise air voids below disc besides a pre-planned usage.

CORE SAMPLING AND TESTING

It is the direct assessment on strength of concrete.

The core samples can also be used for the following:

Strength and density determination
Depth of carbonation of concrete

Chemical analysis
Water/gas permeability
Petrographic analysis

ASHTO Chloride permeability test

Concrete Core

Instrument showing core cutting

PROCEDURE

Cores are usually cut by means of a rotary cutting tool with diamond bits.
A cylindrical specimen is obtained, usually with its ends being uneven,
parallel

and

square

and

sometimes

with

embedded

pieces

of

reinforcement.
Cores are visually described and photographed, giving specific attention to
compaction, distribution of aggregate, presence of steel etc.
The core should soaked in water, capped with molten sulphur to make its
ends plane, parallel, at right angle and then tested in compression in a
moist condition. (BS 1881: Part 4: 1970 or ASTM C 42-77)
Test: Test the specimen within 7 days after
coring.
Typical core sample

PROCEDURE
Calculation of compressive strength:
a) Calculate the compressive test of the
specimen using the computed cross
sectional area based on average diameter
of the specimen. If the L/D ratio is 1.75 or
less, correct the result obtained by multiplying with correction factors.
B) The value obtained after multiplying with correction factor is called
corrected compressive strength, this being equivalent strength of a cylinder
having L/D ratio of 2. The equivalent cube strength can be calculated by
multiplying the corrected cylinder strength
by 5/4.

L/D RATIO CORRECTION FACTOR

1.75

0.98

1.5

0.96

1.25

0.93

1.0

0.87

FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF THE CORE:

1. Size of Stone Aggregate:

Ratio of dia of core to maximum size of stone aggregate is less than 3, a
reduction in strength is reported.
2. Presence of transverse reinforcing Steel:
Presence of transverse steel causes a 5 to 15% reduction in
compressive strength of core.
3. Height/Dia Ratio:
Minimum 0.95 and maximum as 2. Higher ratio would cause a reduction
in strength.
4. Age of Concrete:
No age allowance is recommended

FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF THE CORE:

5. Strength of Concrete:

Effect in reducing the core strength appears to be higher in stronger

concretes and reduction has been reported as 15% for 40 MPa
concrete.

6. Drilling Operations:
Strength of cores is generally less than that of standard cylinders, partly as a
consequence of disturbance due to vibrations during drilling operations.

7. Site Conditions vis a vis Standard Specimens:

In-situ core strength is invariably lower than the standard specimen taken and
tested during concreting operations.

S.NO TEST METHOD

DETAILS

1.

Rebound Hammer
Test

A qualitative field test method to measure

surface
Hardness of concrete

2.

Ultrasonic Pulse
Velocity

A qualitative field test by measurement of

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)

3.

Windsor Probe

A qualitative field test for assessment of near

surface strength of concrete

4.

Capo/Pull out test

-do-

5.

a. Core cutting/
sampling
b. Lab Testing of
Cores

Field cum lab test method for assessing

quality of concrete
as under:
- strength
- density
- texture
- permeability

6.

Load Test

A field test for assessing the load carrying

capacity within the limits of elastic
deformations