Topic

Non-Destructive Testing

Summary Purposes Tests

NDTs are used to assess Used in lab studies to Visual Inspection
the condition of hardened assess the change in
concrete and its steel properties of a single
reinforcement. speciment with time, or
degradation of similar
specimens under different Schmidt Hammer Test
aggressive environments.

The tests can be split into

two: concrete tests (to
assess the concrete) and
steel reinforcemnt test (to
assess and locate the
steel). Used for structural
condition assessment
after a fire, after
overloading or after a
change in use.
Not all the tests are
strictly non-destructive as
some minor damage is
usually caused to the near
surface of the concrete.

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

Test
 Internal fracture

Pull-out

These 5 are Near Surface Tests

Pull-off

Penetration resistance

Break-off

Damp Testing Meter

Carbonation Test
 Chloride Tests

Cover Meter Test

Half Cell Potential Test

 Purpose Method Pros Cons
Assess the exterior Visually inspect the No cost Cannot see inside of
condition of structure to structure concrete or some parts
identify tests to use unable to see

Measures the Abrade (smoothen) the Cheap method More accurate if test
compressive strength of surface from cubes from structure are
concrete. irregularities. available

N-Type is for 10 to 70 Firmly push hammer Relatively quick Has to be held at 90

N/mm2 strenghs against the concrete. degrees to surface

P - Type is for less than 25 Press trigger so elestic Irregular surfaces can
N/mm2 mass can hit the surface affect results
and rebound.

Record the rebound Gravity can affect results

readings (rebound (on floors etc)
distance)

Water content can affect

results

Indicates strength based

only on surface properties

Assesses variation in the Apply form of gel on Cheap method Moving transducers while
strength of concrete transducers and hold onto reading is being taken
concrete affects results

The velocity of a UP One will send a pulse Relatively quick Can't have gaps between
through concrete is through concrete and the the transducers and
affected by stiffness and other will receive it concrete
strength

Detects the presence of Move the receiving one Better than schmidt
voids, honeycombing, or away from the sending hammer as it takes into
dicontinuities. one to get a range of account internal
results properties
 Well graded concrete Pulse velocity >4.5 km/s is
means it is good in terms excellent graded concrete,
of density, uniformity etc <3.0 is poor

Wedge anchor bolt

They cause slight damage to surface but don’t affect structural

pulled from a drilled hole
They assess the condtion of the near surface of the concrete

perfomance, but good localised repairs will be needed after

and force
measured

Inserts embedded during

concrete pour then pulled
out using a measured
force

Quick and cheap

Circular discs bonded to
the surface are placed
under a measured load

Steel bolt shot into

surface by dishcarging
explosive charge from a
gun

Load applied to cored

concrete, force to induce
fracture is recorded

Measure electrical Press two steel pins on Cheap method Can only measure
conductivity the surface dampness upto 5% for
concrete

Measure electrical Press contact head on Relatively quick Don't give the true % of
capacitance surface moisture content, lab
testing is required for that

Carbonation is reacion Solution is sprayed on Accurate Has to be done in-situ on

between CO2 in air and concrete freshly broken section of
calcium hydroxide in the concrete
cement

This reaction produces Areas where concrete is Cut or drilled sections can
calcium carbonate and not alkaline anymore, mislead results (un-
reduces the Ph to 9 spray stay colourless hydrated cement particles
exposed)

At pH 9, protective oxide Speed of colour change

layer on steel breaks important as slow
down, and corrosion is indicates partial
possible carbonation

Reaction can take years,

so this test measures the
depth of carbonation
Chloride contamination Drill into concrete and Relatively quick Slight damage to
can come water spashes, collect dust sample concrete, so requires
de-icers e.t.c. good repairs

Chroride salts in moist Mix sample with acid and Cheap method
concrete can increase rate insert pre-wetted chloride
of corrosion of steel and electrode

This causes rusting of Gives % of chloride by

steel and spalling of weight
concrete

Measures the level of

chloride

Locates steel bars Move probe along High accuracy Limited detection range
conctete

Measure the cover of Screen on probe will show Not influenced my Any conductive materials
concrete which direction to move moisture or irregularities within the magnetic field
in the concrete will affect measurement

Estimates bar diameters Probe generates magnetic

field and measures the
change in voltages

Measures the corrosion of Locate steel and spacing Accurate If some steel is not
steel reinforcement (cover meter test) already exposed, cover
may need to be drilled
(slight damage)

Draw grid or contours on If corrosion is found, steel

concrete can be repaired or further
investigated

Connect the half cell to

steel bar and take
readings over grid points
 Outcomes Exam Questions
Identify the need for NDT

Be aware of the
equipment used for NDT

Limitations of the data

collected using each
method

Understanding of the
individual and combined
data sets