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mass and rebounds. The amount of rebound is recorded on a scale and this gives an
indication of the concrete strength. The larger the rebound number is, the higher is the
concrete strength.

(b) Ultrasonic pulse velocity test

In the ultrasonic pulse velocity test the velocity of ultrasonic pulses that pass through
a concrete section from a transmitter to a receiver is measured. The pulse velocity is
correlated against strength. The higher the velocity is, the stronger is the concrete.

(c) Other non-destructive tests

Equipment has been developed to measure

1. crack widths and depths

2. water permeability and the surface dampness of concrete
3. depth of cover and the location of reinforcing bars
4. the electrochemical potential of reinforcing bars and hence the presence of
corrosion

2.5.3 Chemical tests

A complete range of chemical tests is available to measure

1. depth of carbonation
2. the cement content of the original mix
3. the content of salts such as chlorides and sulphates that may react and cause the
concrete to disintegrate or cause corrosion of the reinforcement

The reader should consult specialist literature.

2.6 REINFORCEMENT

Reinforcing bars are produced in two grades: hot rolled mild steel bars have a yield
strength fy of 250 N/mm2; hot rolled or cold worked high yield steel bars have a yield
strength fy of 460 N/mm2. Steel fabric is made from cold drawn steel wires welded to
form a mesh; it has a yield strength fy of 460 N/mm2.
The stress-strain curves for reinforcing bars are shown in Fig. 2.2. The hot rolled
bars have a definite yield point. A defined proof stress is recorded for the cold worked
bars. The value of Young’s modulus E is 200 kN/mm2. The idealized design stress-
strain curve for all reinforcing bars is shown in BS8110: Part 1 (see Fig. 3.1(b)). The
behaviour in tension and compression is taken to be the same.
Mild steel bars are produced as smooth round bars. High yield bars are produced as
deformed bars in two types defined in the code to increase bond stress: