NON-DESTRUCTIVE MEASUREMENT OF CONCRETE

1.1 Introduction

The standard method of evaluating the quality of concrete in buildings or structures is to test
specimens cast simultaneously for compressive, flexural and tensile strengths. The main
disadvantages are that results are not obtained immediately, that concrete in specimens may
differ from that in the actual structure as a result of different curing and compaction
conditions. The use of NDT in inspecting concrete is not as common as in the metallic
construction. This may be due to lack of demand or no specific requirement by code or
standard from the related sectors as compared to metallic construction. However, research
and development activities in various NDT methods indicate that NDT has a great potential
to be applied on concrete structures.

1.2 Objective

The objective of the test is:

- To identify deficiencies in concrete.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:

1. Organize and conduct non-destructive laboratory experiment.

2. Analyze data correctly and present in typical format.

3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials for a wide variety of structural
and architectural elements. But concrete can suffer from several forms of in-service
deterioration. The most common deteriorationmodes are corrosion-induced delamination and
spalling. The corrosion process is driven by moisture and oxygen that can permeate the
concrete. Freeze-thaw damage can also deteriorate in-service concrete. This is a progressive
deterioration of the concrete material caused by the entrance of water (into the concrete
pores) that subsequently expands when it freezes, introducing tensile stresses that can
cause concrete to crack. Freeze-thaw damage leads to a generalized deterioration of the
concrete strength properties, widespread cracking, spalling, and eventually loss of section.

In addition to in-service deterioration, construction related factors can undermine concrete

durability. These include low cover, honeycombing, and voids. Discontinuities introduced
during construction can lead to poor durability, reduced load carrying capacity, and poor
aesthetic quality of the finished concrete.

Non-Destructive measurement provides cost-effective and reliable methods for identifying

deficiencies in concrete. Nondestructive test (NDT) methods are used to determine hardened
concrete properties and to evaluate the condition of concrete in deep foundations, bridges,
buildings, pavements, dams and other concrete construction. There are many methods in
nondestructive test such as Rebound Hammer, Profometer and Ultra Sonic Pulse Velocity.
Every method of non-destructive test have it own boundary and which mean the method
cannot afford an accurate and consistence result for difference cases and to detect different
defect.

Non-destructive test methods are applied to concrete construction for four primary reasons:

1. Quality control of new construction;

2. Troubleshooting of problems with new construction;

3. Condition evaluation of older concrete for rehabilitation;

4. Purposes; and

5. Quality assurance of concrete repairs.

Nondestructive testing technologies are evolving and research continues to enhance existing
methods and develop new methods. The report is intended to provide an overview of the
principles of various NDT methods being used in practice, and to summarize their
applications and limitations.

The emphasis is placed on methods that have been applied to measure physical properties
other than the strength of concrete in structures, to detect flaws or discontinuities, and to
provide data for condition evaluation.

1.5 Problem Statement

The performance on older structures is often poor due to a number of factors, including
variability of concrete quality in one and the same structure, a less uniform and lower quality
concrete, the condition of the concrete will have changed over sections and globally with
time, and the fact that less is known about the structure. Modern concretes are generally of
higher quality and lend themselves better to NDT. Since the quality of NDT- performance is
directly related to the quality of the concrete then it would seem logical that NDT is of more
value to modern construction and will be of greater use in the future.

The group is required to carry out non-destructive test following the procedures outline and
subsequently analyze the data and present it in a proper technical format.
3.1 Apparatus

3.1.1 UPV/ PUNDIT Test

Pundit test equipment, pencil, ruler and concrete cube specimen (150 mm x 150 mm x 150
mm).

Figure 5.1: Pundit Test Equipment

3.2 Procedures

1) The accuracy of the transmit time measurement against the calibration bar was check
by using an appropriate coupling agent (e.g., vacuum grease, petroleum jelly, or other
viscous material) between the transducers and the ends of the calibration bar. The
pundit ultrasonic tester was adjusted so that the transit time is the same as that
stamped on the calibration bar.

2) The length of the concrete specimen was measured.

3) The mass of the concrete specimen was determined.

4) The appropriate coupling agent applied to the transducers and the test surfaces (the
ends of the cylindrical specimen) in order to avoid entrapped air between the contact
surface of the transducers and the concrete surface.

5) The faces of the transducers was pressed against the surfaces of the concrete
(cylindrical ends) assuring good contact.

6) The transit time, pulse velocity and elastic modulus, E measured.

3.3.2 Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)/ PUNDIT Test

RESULT

Age of concrete : 8 years old

Weight : 2.304 kg
Length : 0.1 m
Breadth : 0.1 m
Depth : 0.1 m

Transit Velocity, Modulus of elasticity

Path length,
Surface No. s
Time, ms1 mm GN / m2

1 67.70 5892 0 172.20

2 75.90 16041 2 123.60
3 0.40 11248 0 71.40
4 3.44 18823 0 217.30
5 331.60 10482 0 141.20
6 11.44 4816 0 109.10
Average 81.75 11217 0.33 139.13
DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

From this experiment, we can determine how to identify the deficiencies in concrete by using
Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). UPV can give the main four data that are transit time,
velocity, path length and modulus of elasticity. We measure this data from all surface of cube

concrete to take the average reading . From our result, the transit time is 81.75 s ,

1
velocity is 11217 ms , path length is 0.33mm and the modulus of elasticity is

2
139.13GN /m .

APPENDIX