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CONCRETE ADVICE No. 47


(April 2013)

Assessment of in-situ concrete strength


using data obtained from core testing

Neil Crook, PhD CEng MICE MICT

When the in-situ strength of the concrete is required, cores are often taken. However
unless they are taken correctly, in the correct place and in sufficient numbers, the
assessment of the in-situ strength becomes less assured and there is less confidence that
the strengths obtained are a true reflection of the concrete strength.

1 Introduction 3 Cube/core relationship

There are a variety of methods that can be There is no unique relationship between
used to determine in-situ concrete strength. the core and cube strengths of the same
The test procedures associated with these concrete. The relationship is a function of
methods are given in BS EN 12504 parts 1, many variables including:
(1)
2, 3 an d 4 . This advice sheet considers
the assessment of in-situ concrete strength 1 Temperature
using data obtained from core testing. The 2 Compaction
other non-destructive tests methods can be 3 Curing
used on their own or in conjunction with core 4 Sampling location top, middle or
testing. bottom
5 Element type and thickness
horizontal or vertical
2 Publications
In most structures the in-situ strength, as
Until recently the procedures for taking and measured by a core, will generally be
testing cores and assessing the in-situ lower than the standard cube strength of
strength of concrete has been based on BS the same concrete.
(2) (3)
1881:120 , BS 6089: 1981 and Concrete
(4)
Society Technical Report TR 11 . 4 Current Standards
With the publication of BS EN 12504-1 and
(5)
BS EN 13791 , the standard BS 6089: In the UK, the method considered most
(6)
2010 has been completely re-written to relevant for assessing the concrete
complement BS EN 13791 and provide strength in the structure is the
information on other techniques and the use determination of the estimated in-situ
of established statistical principles when cube strength (EICS) from cores as it
investigating unknown structures. As a result exists at the sampling location, without
TR 11 is no longer regarded as best correction for the effect of curing history,
practice. age or degree of compaction.
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Page 2 of 7 CONCRETE ADVICE NO. 47


(5) (6)
BS EN 13791 , together with BS 6089 , gives The strength of the concrete in a vertical element will
procedures for; vary over its height. If the core data is to be used for
the determination of the quality of the concrete i.e.
Assessing whether concrete conforms to the cases of suspect concrete from identity test data
specification (CASE A) (CASE A), the cores should be taken from the middle
This is where cores are taken in order to resolve a third of the vertical element. When assessing in-situ
dispute over the strength of the concrete supplied. characteristic strength, cores should be t aken from
the upper third of the element (excluding the top 300
Despite confirming that the concrete supplied has mm). In both cases, for thin horizontal sections the
satisfied the strength, there may be s ituations when test locations should be selected at random.
the structural element is shown to be inadequate
(7)
when assessed using BS EN 1992-1-1 Annex A as The number of test locations will depend on the
it is the minimum valid in-situ strength that is used in purpose of the testing and if it is to be used in
the calculation. conjunction with data obtained from NDT. When
assessing for conformity with the specification
Determination of characteristic in-situ strength (CASE A) a minimum group of 4 cores (2 cores from
(CASE B) 2 locations) need to be taken to represent a test
This is undertaken when: region. For the assessment of a test region
a) there is no information about the concrete or containing a large volume of suspect concrete
b) the producer has declared the concrete as (CASE A) or for in-situ characteristic strength
nonconforming with respect to compressive determination (CASE B), where the assessment is
strength. based on core data alone, it is recommended that a
minimum of 15 c ores, preferably more to allow for
The objective in this case is to find the characteristic outliers, are taken. When a long core is taken which
strength based on the mean in-situ strength. is subsequently cut to produce 2 core samples for
testing it is the average of the two strengths which is
considered to be the test result from the location.
5 Where and how many cores
The definition of a test region is ambiguous and
Before embarking on c ore testing it is important to unclear. It is usually associated with a b atch of
ascertain the reason for the testing as it will determine concrete which could be made up of a single or
where and how many cores are required. In all cases several loads of concrete. It could also be related to
highly stressed sections, reinforcement and the volume of concrete identified as failing the criteria
prestressing steel and ducts should be avoided. for identity testing. Sequential identity testing group
failures making up many batches could still constitute
The test locations should be chosen such that after a single test region.
cutting and end-preparation, the length/diameter ratio
of the core should not be less than 1.0 and ideally not The decision to assess each test region separately
greater than 1.2 and the core does not contain: or collectively is open to discussion. However, the
greater number of sequential group failures, the
Concrete from within 50mm of the surface (could greater the number of cores that are needed. For a
be difficult with thin slabs e.g. composite test region containing a large volume of suspect
construction). concrete, it is possible that the number of cores may
Concrete from within the top 50mm or 20% be 15 or more and here an additional check needs to
(whichever is greater) of the lift in sections where be made on the statistical certainty that a conforming
height of depth of the element is not more than concrete has been supplied.
1.5m
Concrete from the top 300mm of the lift where Assessment of the data will involve checking that the
the height or depth is 1.5m or more. lowest individual core result (for suspect concrete) or
the mean value of a group (for characteristic
(6)
When deciding where and how many cores are strength) is valid. BS 6089 gives guidance on a
required, it is important to have clarity and agreement simple way of testing for statistical outliers and
on the reason for carrying out core testing and should be applied for each data set. As there is a risk
whether or not they are to be used in conjunction with that an outlier may be found it is advisable that
NDT. additional cores are taken to ensure that the analysis
can be carried out with either a minimum of 15 or 4
results depending on which assessment is being
carried out.
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Page 3 of 7 CONCRETE ADVICE NO. 47

Note: Although not stated, the number of iterations to Shape factor


assess outliers should be restricted to 2 passes. If In previous standards there has been an adjustment
more are required to satisfy the criterion, the cores for the direction of drilling. However recent
(8)
may have come from more than one population i.e. research has found that this is not appropriate.
different concretes. Factors are applied to convert the actual size of the
tested specimen (including any capping) to either an
equivalent 1:1 cube or 2:1 cylinder.
6 Influences on the testing result
Result
Size The outcome of applying these factors to the
Once the core has been taken it needs to be prepared measured tested strength is to produce an Estimated
(1)
and tested in accordance with BS EN 12504-1 . The In-situ Cube or Cylinder Strength (EICS). The symbol
(6)
diameter of the core should have been chosen such fis is used in the formulas to be found in BS 6089 .
that it is at least 3.5 times the declared value of the
coarsest fraction of aggregates actually used in the Visual assessment and density
concrete. Smaller ratios can have a s ignificant effect In addition to recording the density of the core, which
on the strength of the core specimen. For example, can give a good indication if the sample is
tests have indicated that for 20mm aggregate a representative of the concrete being tested, there
100mm diameter core was approximately 7% stronger needs to be an estimation of the voidage of the
than 50mm diameter core which in turn was tested concrete in excess of the normally expected
approximately 20% stronger than a 2 5mm diameter value of 0.5% representing well compacted concrete
core. In the absence of any information on t he in standardised cubes or cylinders. The effect of
aggregate size, the default core diameter should be excess voidage is to reduce the strength of the
100mm. concrete in-situ and can give an indication on t he
quality of workmanship employed in placing and
Moisture condition compacting the concrete.
The condition of the core at the time of test is
important as the assessment of in-situ strength is 7 Assessment
based on the premise that the concrete is in a dry
state. If the core is to be capped it will probably be wet
at the time of testing and have a m oisture content
In the case of assessing suspect concrete arising out
between 8% - 12%. Preparation of the ends by
of identity test failures (CASE A), valid results for
grinding will give the option for the core to be classed
each test region are checked against the criteria
as dry when tested. Dry is considered to be after the
based on the relationship between the characteristic
core has been exposed to air for at least 3 days.
in-situ strength and characteristic strength (fck) from
(9)
standardised specimens. As BS EN 206-1 permits
Testing wet will give an apparent reduced strength
a single acceptable batch of concrete to have a
from one tested dry of between 10-15%. If the cores
compressive strength of (fck 4) MPa the minimum
are tested immediately after water storage, the UK
in-situ strength from a test region fis,lowest needs to be
recommendation is to increase the measured strength
greater than 0.85(fck, spec 4) to show that a local
by 10%. The moisture condition from wet i.e. water
area satisfies the conformity criterion for minimum
storage to dry i.e. exposed to air for 3 days is a
compressive strength. If there are at least 15 valid
judgement and an estimate of its condition should be
core results an additional check is required whereby
made at the time of testing and an appropriate factor
the mean of the core strengths fm(n)is needs to be at
between 0 and 10% should be applied.
least 0.85(fck, spec + 1.48s), where s is the standard
deviation. If both criteria are satisfied the test region
Reinforcement
may be deemed to contain concrete with adequate
It is preferential to avoid reinforcement when taking
strength and the concrete in the region conformed to
cores as it will have an influence on the recorded (9)
BS EN 206-1 .
strength but this is often not possible. When present,
factors need to be applied based on location and size
For assessing an u nknown concrete (CASE B), BS
of the reinforcing bar(s) within the core so that the
6089 does not consider the procedures given in
strength obtained is an estimate of the concrete (5)
BS EN 13791 for calculating in-situ characteristic
alone. Results adjusted in this way should be treated
strength as applicable.
with some degree of suspicion.
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Page 4 of 7 CONCRETE ADVICE NO. 47

The procedure is replaced by the well-established


9 Example 1: Individual corrected in-situ cube
t-statistic method applied to the mean of all the valid
strength (fis) calculation
results. The in-situ characteristic strength calculated is
checked against the lowest individual corrected core
strength +4MPa. The lower of the two values is then On the assumption that the core has been t aken,
used as the characteristic in-situ strength for structural prepared and examined in accordance with BS EN
assessment. On obtaining this value reference should (1)
12504-1 , Table 1 shows an example of an
(7)
be made to BS EN 1992-1-1 Annex A for the design individual corrected in-situ cube strength (EICS or fis)
or redesign of the structure. calculation. The full requirements of the core test
report are given in BS EN 12504-1.
8 Potential Strength
The test report should also give an estimation of the
excess voidage of the core i.e. voidage in excess of
(6)
Potential strength, discussed in BS 6089 Annex A 0.5%. Excess voidage up to 1.5% is not unusual.
should not to be confused with the in-situ strength Greater values would suggest inadequate
related to assessments for suspect or unknown compaction of the in-situ concrete.
concrete. Potential strength forms the basis for
discussion between the supplier and constructor when This might be important in a dispute resolution
lower than expected strengths are obtained. Potential between the supplier and contractor when the
strength will also be dependent on a number of other specified strength class has not been proven from
factors i.e. curing, strength gain, which have been the core data.
based on concrete containing CEM I some 35 years
ago. For this reason acceptance of potential strength
in dispute resolutions can be problematical.

Table 1: Example of an individual corrected in-situ cube strength (EICS or fis) calculation
Example
Reference Notes
figures
Core length after capping or grinding (mm) Measured (l) 110
Core diameter (mm) Measured (d) 100
Maximum load (MPa) Measured (L) 215.0
2
Area (mm ) Calculated (A) 7855
Core compressive strength, fcore (MPa) Calculated (L/A) 27.4

Calculated core length/diameter ratio (l/d) 1.10


Shape correction factor for cubes,* Kis Kis = 2.5/(1.5 + [1/ ]) 1.04

Diameter of the bar (mm) Measured (r) 12


Diameter of the core (mm) Measured (c) 100
Distance of axis of bar from the nearer end of
Measured (h) 45
core (mm)
Multiple bar correction factor, Ks Ks =1.0+1.5(([r x h])/([c x l]) 1.07

Core tested wet or dry or unknown condition Wet


Km = 1.0 if tested dry or moisture condition
Strength correction for cores tested wet
unknown 1.1
or dry or in an unknown condition, Km
Km = 1.1 if tested wet

fis corrected for shape, rebar and moisture


fis = fcore x Kis x Ks x Km = EICS 33.5
condition, fis,corr (MPa)
* If determining the in-situ cylinder strength Kis = 2.0/(1.5 + [1/ ])
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Page 5 of 7 CONCRETE ADVICE NO. 47

For 4 c ores, if Rt > 0.202 the fis, lowest result is


10 Example 2: Assessment of the in-situ
suspicious
strength of a test region where identity
testing has not confirmed conformity with
If Rt > 0.298 the fis, lowest result should be rejected
the strength class (CASE A)
Therefore as Rt = 0.090 < 0.202, the lowest result
(S3) is valid.
Small volume
Where a t est region contains a s mall volume of (5)
From BS EN 13791 Cl. 9, for a s mall test region
concrete comprising of one or a few batches is under with less than 15 valid core results, the region may be
suspicion, due to a set of cube data not achieving the deemed to contain concrete with adequate strength if
identity test criteria, at least 4 cores should be taken the lowest corrected in-situ cube or cylinder
(1)
and tested in accordance with BS EN 12504-1 . compressive strength test result complies with:
An example is given in Table 2 for 4 cores S1 to S4. (fis,lowest) 0.85(fck 4)
The validity of the lowest core result (S3) needs to be Where fck = characteristic compressive strength of
checked by calculating Rt; standard specimens (i.e. strength class).
Rt = (Mean of other core results Lowest result) For fck = 40
Mean of other core results 0.85(fck 4) = 30.6
(6)
If Rt exceeds the value given Table 5 of BS 6089 , From Table 2, fis,lowest = 29.4 i.e. < 30.6
the core result should be treated as being suspicious
or rejected as appropriate. Therefore the region tested has failed to meet
strength criteria and suggests the concrete has not
For the data set in Table 2; come from a conforming population. Thus the design
assumptions are not valid and the structure should be
fis, lowest (result S3) = 29.4 assessed for structural adequacy by using a reduced
Mean of other fis core results = 32.3 strength class or by calculating the in-situ
characteristic strength, see CASE B.
Hence:
Rt = 0.090
Table 2: Data and calculations from cores taken from a small test region
Core reference S1 S2 S3 S4
Length (l) 110 99 100 101
Diameter (d) 100 100 100 100
Maximum load (L) 215 250 210 190
Core compressive strength - fcore 27.4 31.8 26.7 24.2
(l/d) 1.10 0.99 1.00 1.01
Shape correction - Kis 1.04 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bar 1 diameter (r1) 12 - - 12
Distance from nearest end (h1) 45 - - 45
Bar 2 diameter (r2) - - - 12
Distance from nearest end (h2) - - - 60
Reinforcement correction - Ks 1.07 1.00 1.00 1.19
Tested wet or dry or unknown condition Wet Dry Wet Wet
Moisture correction - Km 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.1

fis = fcore x Kis x Ks x Km 33.5 31.8 29.4 31.7


fis,lowest 29.4
Note. It is not typically expected that wet and dry cores found in same data-set. This has been
given as an example.
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Page 6 of 7 CONCRETE ADVICE NO. 47

Large volume For 39 cores, if Rt > 0.099 the fis, lowest result is
Where a larger volume of concrete is under suspicion suspicious.
as a result of many continuous cube data sets failing
to meet the identity test criteria, 15 valid cores results If Rt > 0.118 the fis, lowest result should be rejected
are required. To allow for rejection of any invalid
results it is suggested at least 17 cores are taken to. Therefore as Rt = 0.093 < 0.099, the lowest result
Note: If failing data sets are not continuous, the (A17) is not suspicious and should be accepted.
assessment of in-situ strength should be based on a
small volume test region principle for each data set. If this result had also been categorised as being
rejected, then further investigation needs to be
The dataset in Table 3 of estimated in-situ cube carried out as there may be two populations present
strength values for 40 core results is taken as an suggesting two different concretes have been
example calculation. For this data set; supplied.

Lowest EICS (fis, lowest) result (A11) = 32.0 Therefore


Mean of other fis core results = 37.4 fis, lowest = 34.0
fm(39),is = 37.4
Hence: s = 1.518
Rt = (37.4 32.0)/37.4 = 0.144
where s is the standard deviation of the 39 results
(6)
If Rt exceeds the value given Table 5 of BS 6089 ,
(5)
the core result should be treated as being suspicious From BS EN 13791 Cl. 9, for a t est region
or rejected as appropriate. comprising many batches of concrete with 15 or more
valid core results may be deemed to contain concrete
For 40 cores, if Rt > 0.099 the fis, lowest result is with adequate strength if complies with both:
suspicious.
fm(n),is 0.85(fck +1.48s) Criterion 1
If Rt > 0.118 the fis, lowest result should be rejected and
fis,lowest 0.85(fck 4) Criterion 2
Therefore as Rt = 0.144 > 0.118, the lowest result
(A11) should be removed from the dataset. Therefore for C32/40 strength class fck = 40

The procedure is repeated on the next lowest fis value 0.85(40 +1.48 1.518) = 35.9 Criterion 1
(A17) 0.85(40 4) = 30.6 Criterion 2

Lowest EICS (fis, lowest) result (A17) = 34.0 Hence:


Mean of other fis core results = 37.5 fm(n),is and fis,lowest conform to criteria 1 and 2
respectively and as both criteria have been met, the
Hence: region tested is deemed to contain concrete
Rt = (37.5 34)/37.5 = 0.093 conforming to the specified strength class.

Table 3: Estimated in-situ cube strength from cores taken from large test region (40 results low to high)
Ref fis Ref fis Ref fis Ref fis
A11 32.0 A28 36.2 A07 37.1 A23 39.0
A17 34.0 A34 36.3 A15 37.1 A35 39.0
A24 35.7 A37 36.3 A29 37.1 A36 39.0
A06 35.8 A32 36.4 A38 37.1 A04 39.1
A16 35.9 A39 36.4 A40 37.5 A14 39.2
A03 36.0 A20 36.6 A01 37.6 A09 39.3
A27 36.0 A33 36.7 A19 37.9 A12 39.4
A10 36.1 A05 36.9 A22 38.0 A21 39.9
A25 36.1 A18 36.9 A31 38.3 A08 40.0
A13 36.2 A26 36.9 A02 39.0 A30 41.0
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Page 7 of 7 CONCRETE ADVICE NO. 47

If the in-situ characteristic strength (fck,is) is greater


11 Example 3: Assessment of characteristic in-
than (fis,lowest + 4), then the lower value should be
situ compressive strength of a structure
used.
where the strength of the concrete is
unknown or where the producer has declared
This procedure is valid for 4 or more cores but for
non-conformity (CASE B)
small numbers of test data, the likelihood that an
unknown structure may contain (unknown) weaker
BS 6089
(6)
Clause 6.2 details the alternative areas increases. In such circumstances, it is
(5)
approach to the one given in BS EN 13791 for the advisable to take a more conservative approach and
determination of characteristic in-situ compressive use a l ower core strength for structural calculations,
strength by statistical use of the well-established and such as fis,lowest.
accepted t-statistic to determine the characteristic
strength. Using Table 3 containing 39 valid test results;

The in-situ characteristic strength fck,is is calculated n = 39


(6)
from; t0.05 = 1.69 (Table 6 of BS 6089)
fck = 40
fck,is = fm(n),is (t0.05 x s) fis, lowest = 34.0
fm(39),is = 37.4
where t0.05 value is based on (n 1) degrees of s = 1.518
(6)
freedom (v), taken from Table 6 of BS 6089 , and s
is the sample standard deviation. Hence:
fck,is = 37.4 (1.69 x 1.518) = 34.8
If the calculated characteristic in-situ strength result is (fis,lowest + 4) = 34 + 4 = 38.0
based on a large number of core data, it is
appropriate to use this value for structural As fck,is is less than (fis,lowest + 4), the in-situ
calculations where the in-situ characteristic strength characteristic strength of the area tested is 34.8MPa.
(fck,is) is less than (fis,lowest + 4).
If fck,is were to be greater than 38.0, the in-situ
characteristic strength of the area tested would then
be the lower of the two results i.e. 38.0MPa

References
1. BS EN 12504. Testing concrete in structures. , Part 1 Cored specimens - taking, examining and testing in compression,
(2009) Part 2 Non-destructive testing. Determination of rebound number (2012). Part 3 Determination of pull out force
(2005). Part 4 Determination of ultrasonic pulse velocity (2004). BSI, London
2. BS 1881-120. Testing concrete. Method for determination of the compressive strength of concrete cores, BSI, London, 1983
3. BS 6089. Guide to assessment of concrete strength in existing structures, BSI, London, 1981
4. Concrete Society. Concrete core testing for strength, Technical Report 11, Concrete Society, Camberley, 1987
5. BS EN 13791. Assessment of compressive strength in structures and precast concrete component, BSI, London, 2007
6. BS 6089. Assessment of in-situ compressive strength in structures and precast concrete components complementary
guidance to BS EN 13791, BSI, London, 2010
7. BS EN 1992-1-1.Eurocode 2. Design of concrete structures. General rules and rules for buildings, BSI, London, 2004
8. CONCRETE SOCIETY. In-situ concrete strength an investigation into the relationship between core strength and standard
cube strength, Project Report 3, Concrete society, Camberley 2004
9. BS EN 206-1. Concrete Part 1: Specification, performance, production and conformity. BSI, London, 2000

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Issued April 2013

CONCRETE Advice Sheets are produced and published by The Concrete Society. The information and advice
contained in the Advice Sheets is based on the experience and knowledge of the Concrete Societys Technical Staff.
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