TECHNIQUE FLYER
FUGRO
IMPACT ECHO
Impact echo is a versatile non-destructive technique based on stress
wave propagation that is used to investigate the structure and
condition of concrete and masonry.
Benefits
Impact echo provides independent, non-
destructive measurements of the thickness
of concrete and masonry elements with a
typical accuracy of 5%. It can determine the
location and extent of flaws such as cracks,
delaminations, voids, honeycombing, and
debonding in plain, reinforced and post-
tensioned concrete structures. It can locate
voids in the subgrade immediately beneath
slabs and pavements. In masonry it can
determine thickness and locate cracks,
voids and other defects where the brick or
block units are bonded with mortar.
Impact echo is not adversely affected by
the presence of metal within concrete and
is therefore widely used in applications
where electromagnetic methods such as
ground penetrating radar would be
ineffective, such as investigating steel fibre APPLICATIONS
and heavily reinforced concrete. Impact ■■ Pavements and bridges
echo is used to detect voids in the grouted ■■ Concrete structures including tunnel
tendon ducts of post-tensioned structures linings, walls and floor slabs
because signals are able to penetrate the ■■ Grouted tendon ducts in
thin metal sheathing of the ducts. The post-tensioned structures
technique is effective in many applications ■■ Masonry structures.
to depths of one metre.
USED TO IDENTIFY:
Instruments are extremely portable, ■■ Voiding, delamination and cracking
comprising a small laptop computer, a within materials
control unit, a transducer and a set of ■■ Voiding directly beneath/behind
spherical steel impactors designed to structures
generate varying frequency stress waves ■■ Thickness of concrete or masonry.
when tapped against the surface of the
structure. Systems with a wireless
connection between the transducer and
control unit are available to facilitate remote
working (e.g. from ropes or in confined
spaces).
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Data are collected as point measurements
rather than continuous profiles: typical
progress rates are between 50 and 100
measurement points per hour.

Robust interpretation of the data requires a

reasonably sound knowledge of the
structure under investigation.

Principles
The impact-echo technique is based on the
use of impact generated stress (sound)
waves that propagate through a structure
and are reflected by internal flaws and
external surfaces.

The use of long-wavelength, low-frequency

(70 kHz or less) stress waves distinguishes
impact-echo from traditional ultrasonic
methods. Stress waves are generated by
tapping the surface with a stainless steel
sphere and they propagate through
concrete as though it were a homogeneous
elastic medium.
Surface displacements caused by the
arrival of reflected waves at the impact
surface are recorded by a transducer,
located adjacent to the impact site,
producing an analogue voltage signal
proportional to displacement. This signal is
digitized and the resulting voltage-time
signal, called a waveform, is transformed
mathematically into a spectrum of
amplitude vs. frequency. Both the waveform
and spectrum are plotted on the computer
screen. The dominant frequencies, which
appear as peaks in the spectrum, are
associated with multiple reflections of stress
waves within the structure, and they provide
information about the thickness of the
structure, its integrity, and the location of
flaws.
© FUGRO 10 2016/ FGSL-CAM/IMPECO
Testing grout fill in post tensioning ducts in Medway Bridge.
Method
Measurements are taken at points, usually
forming a grid or a series of profiles in order
to analyse variations within the dataset.
Investigation of grout fill within post
tensioning ducts relies on accurate
positioning over the duct centre line – which
is usually achieved by scanning with radar
to detect and mark the duct prior to impact
echo testing.
Data are analysed using specialist software Typical impact echo amplitude and frequency plots
to interrogate the waveform and identify indicating voiding within tensioning duct.
dominant frequencies which are used to
calculate thickness and/or the depths of
flaws. Results may be reported as point
readings or plotted using contour maps to
indicate spatial variations.

Fugro Aperio
E: infrastructure@fugro.com
www.fugro.com

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