10/7/2017 BASIC METHODS FOR NDT OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES

BASIC METHODS FOR NDT OF CONCRETE

STRUCTURES
It becomes sometimes necessary to examine the hardened concrete structure for their suitability
for its intended use. But the examination of such existing or new structures should be such that it
is not damaged during the process. In such cases, the Non-destructive test methods are used for
testing of concrete structures.

There are various NDT tests available for concrete structures, but based on its suitability and
applications they are selected. These tests can be completely non-destructive, or partially
destructive tests which may not have much effect on the strength and durability of concrete
structure.

The following methods are commonly used for NDT of concrete structures. The typical
applications of those methods are briefed.

1. Visual inspection of concrete structure is carried out before any intended non-destructive
test. Visual inspections provides information on type of concrete damage, their possible causes
and type of NDT test suitable for further investigation. Visual inspection is carried out by
experienced civil engineers who can interpret information from the damages in the concrete
structure.

2. Schmidt NDT Test or Rebound Hammer Test, is carried out for the evaluation of surface
hardness of concrete structures. The surface hardness of concrete is the indication of strength of

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10/7/2017 BASIC METHODS FOR NDT OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES

concrete.

3. Carbonation depth measurement test This NDT is used to determine the penetration of
moisture inside concrete. This helps in identifying the moisture reaching the reinforcement which
may cause corrosion.

4. Permeability test of concrete structure is to find the permeability which is the measure of flow
of water through the concrete.

5. Penetration resistance or Windsor probe test, used to measure the surface hardness and
hence the strength of the surface and near surface layers of the concrete.

6. Half-cell electrical potential method- This NDT test is used to detect the corrosion potential of
reinforcing bars in concrete.

7. Covermeter testing This method is used to measure the cover to reinforcement bars in
structure and also the diameter of reinforcement used in existing member.

8. Radiographic testing, used to detect voids in the concrete and the position of stressing ducts.

9. Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing is used for the finding the compressive strength of concrete.

10. Sonic methods using an instrumented hammer providing both sonic echo and transmission
methods.

11. Tomographic modelling, which uses the data from ultrasonic transmission tests in two or
more directions to detect voids in concrete.

12. Impact echo testing, is used to detect location and extent of defects such as cracks, voids,
delamination, honeycombing and debonding in plain, reinforced concrete and post-tensioned
concrete structural members.

13. Ground penetrating radar or impulse radar testing, used to detect the position of reinforcing
bars or stressing ducts. This method is used in place of radiographic inspection for inspection of
post-tension cables, conduits in concrete and position of reinforcement bars.

14. Infrared thermography This method is used to detect concrete defects such as voids,
cracks, delamination and other anomalies in concrete. This method is also used to detect water
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