By Shaik Zaheeruddin

The tests which are carried out without

damaging the structure are known as non
destructive tests

Strength of concrete
Voids inside the concrete
Corrosion of reinforcement
Rate of corrosion of reinforcement
Cover measurement
Reinforcement size and bar locator
Thickness of the concrete layer
Carbonation in concrete

SCHMIDT REBOUND HAMMER TEST

COVER METER TEST
HALF CELL POTENTIAL TEST
RESISTIVITY TEST
INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY
SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF SURFACE WAVE FOR
UNKNOWN FOUNDATION
ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY

It is based on the hardness of the concrete

surface which is related to estimate the
compressive strength of the concrete
through Rebound Number of the probe.

TYPES OF
HAMMER

APPLICATIONS

Characteristic
strength (N/mm2)

Type N

Testing in ordinary
building and bridge
construction

15-45

Type L

Testing small and

sensitive parts of
concrete

<5

Type M

Testing for mass

concrete, concrete
road pavements.

>45

Type P

Testing for brick wall

strength

<10

RELATION BETWEEN REBOUND

NUMBER AND COMPRESSIVE
STRENGTH

Profometer instrument are used to

determine the cover, location and diameter
of steel reinforcement.

Ferroscan covermeter

This test is used

to detect the
corrosion
condition in
reinforced
concrete
but it cannot
indicate rate of
corrosion.

Phase of Corrosion Activity

Potential as measured by
Copper Half Cell

1. Corrosion activity not taking

place

< - 200 mV

2.Corrosion activity uncertain

- 200 mV to - 350 mV

3. corrosion occurring positively

> - 350 mV

This test is used

to determine the
rate of corrosion.

Resistivity meter

Resistivity (kcm)

Rate of Corrosion

<5

Very High

5-10

High

10-20

Low/Moderate

>20

Low

This technique is
used to detect internal
voids, cracks in
concrete structures.
This method gives
accurate picture
about the condition
of the concrete
inside.

It is based on the principle heat passes very slowly inside the voids due to which
Variation in the temperature arises which will be shown in the image of
thermography.

Depth or thickness of a void cannot be

determined.
The testing should be conducted during
times of the day or night.

Spectral analysis of surface wave is used

to determine the thickness of the unknown
foundation on the basis of variation of
surface wave velocity.

It is used to measure the compressive

strength of concrete,

Principle
This test measures the transit time of an
ultrasonic pulse between two transducers, a
transmitter and a receiver.

Pulse velocity (km/sec)

Concrete quality

>4.5

Excellent

3.5-4.5

Good

3-3.5

Medium

<3.5

Poor

Testing of concrete structures by John H.bungey

Non destructive test methods by Nicholas J.Carino

Gudelines on Non destructive Testing BS-103

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