SP : 24-1983
Tolerances for reinforcements are
specified in 11.3. Once the concrete is
placed, it is difficult to check the tolerance
of reinforcements. However, the position of
steel near the surface of concrete (say within
70 mm) can be determined by using a
magnetic cover meter.
16. INSPECTION AND TESTING OF
STRUCTURES
16. I Inspection
16.2 (See also 15.1 and 15.2 and their
comments). Concrete will be deemed not to
comply with the strength requirements:
a) if there are stray -cases of extremely
low strength; and
b) if the average of all the samples is
extremely low.
In such cases core tests may be required to
decide further measures.
16.3 - results are dependent on the number of
16.3.1 - ture should not unnecessarily be declared
26.3.2 Core cutting that is, drilling
wherever possible, should be avoided in rein-
forcements. The procedure for preparing
and testing cores drilled from concrete are
given in IS : 516-1959*. The cores should be
undamaged representative of the concrete.
The cores should be capped before testing,
using the procedure given in IS : 516-1959*.
Standard diameter of core is 150 mm;
however cores of 100 mm diameter may also
be used and the strength assessed from both
cores will be about the same. The length of
core should be at least 95 percent of the core
diameter. The equivalent cube strength (on
150 mm cubes) may be obtained in the
following manner:
a) Strength of core =f, (on 100 mm
diameter core)
b) Apply correction for diameter: if
diameter is less than 100 mm, correc-
tion factor = 1.08
Strength of
150 mm core 1 = 1.08 xfO
c) Apply correction ’ for height to
_ The loads are expected to be applied and
*Methods of test for strength of concrete.
39
diameter ratio, if this is less than 2.0,
the factor being obtained from
IS : 516-1959* _
Strength of
= Kx 1.08x&
standard core I
d) Convert this result’ into equivalent
cube strength. Compressive strength
of 150 mm cube = 1.25 (compressive
strength of 150 x 300 mm cylinder)
= 1.25x (Kx l.O8xf,).
e) Compare the average value of three
specimens with the specified strength.
Correction for age of concrete may be
obtained from 5.2.2 (see also com-
ments on 5.2.1, especially for the
influence of the type of cement).
16.4 The number of test cores should be as
large as possible with due regard to
economic considerations. In practice, it is
usual to secure only three cores (the
minimum recommended by the Code) and
average the strength results. This sample
mean is only an approximation of the
strength of concrete in the structure and the
cores. It is important, therefore, that struc-
unfit simply because the sample mean may
fall below 85 percent of the required strength
especially when only a small number of cores
are tested. Either further core tests may be
carried out or a load test is resorted to or the
load-carrying capacity of the structure
recalculated in the light of existing core
results.
16.5 Load Tests on Parts of Structures-
(See Ref 13). This clause and its sub-clauses
are intended to provide reassurance or other-
wise as to the adequacy of doubtful struc-
tural units. These rules are not to be used as
a substitute for normal design procedure.
When it is required that a static load test is
to be carried out cognizance should be taken
of the effect on the test of the loading pat-
tern. The loading medium should not be
stored temporarily on any part of’~ the
structure where it could affect the test.
Members other than flexural members
should preferably be investigated by
analytical procedures due to problems of
load application and the difficulty of
detecting incipient failure.
removed incrementally. The procedure for