Q.5 Explain the role of Resistivity meter in SHM.

Show the general procedure for resistivity

measurement

Ans: One of the major problems facing an engineer today is deterioration of concrete
member by corrosion of rebars. So it is prime concern to determine the state of corrosion in the
bars. For this several commercial equipments are available, one of these commercial equipments
available is Resistivity Meter . It is used to monitor corrosion in the steel bars by measuring
the concrete resistivity .It is portable equipment and can be easily operated.

RESI consists of a display unit and resistivity probe .Display unit consists of memory of
7200 values and power is supplied to the unit with the help of batteries. Resistivity probe is
available with integrated electronics for the measurements by four-point method. In this method
resistivity probe is connected with the display unit to obtain brief display. All the functions are
tested and checked before starting the measurement process. After checking, unit probe is placed
on the area to be measured. Measurement can be done with grid to represent the resistivity value
for a large area. The grid of suitable size is marked on the surface and measurements are taken.
There are various factors which affect the observations such as moisture content, carbonation and
chloride contents, temperature, connection between probe and concrete.

Q.6. What are the fundamental principles for Electromagnetic methods of testing concrete?

Ans: The physical principle involved can either be by utilizing eddy current effects or magnetic
induction effects. With covermeters using eddy current effects, currents in a search coil set up eddy
currents in the reinforcement which in turn cause a change in the measured impedance of the
search coil. Instruments working on this principle operate at frequencies above 1 kHz and are thus
sensitive to the presence of any conducting metal in the vicinity of the search head.

With covermeters using magnetic induction, a multi coil search head is used with a lower operating
frequency than the eddy current type of device (typically below 90 Hz). The principle used is similar
to that of a transformer, in that one or two coils (the primary coils) carry the driving current while
one or two further coils (the secondary coils) pick up the voltage transferred via the magnetic circuit
formed by the search head and embedded reinforcing bar. Such instruments are less sensitive to
non-magnetic materials than those using the eddy current principle. When there is a change to the
amount of ferromagnetic material under the search head e.g by the presence of reinforcing bar or
other metal object, there is an increase in the field strength. This results in an increase in the voltage
detected by the secondary coil, which can be displayed after amplification by a meter.
 In both types of instruments both the orientation and the proximity of the metal to the search
head affect the meter reading. It is therefore possible to locate reinforcing bars and determine
their orientation. The cover to a bar may also be determined if a suitable calibration can be
obtained for the particular size of bar and the materials under investigation. Most instruments
have a procedure to allow an estimate to be made of both bar size and distance from the probe to
the bar when neither is known.