TESTING OF

CONCRETE
Learning Outcome
At the end of this chapter you should be
able to:
 Differentiate types of testing for hard and
fresh concrete.
 Differentiate the difference of NDT and
DT.
 Understand on the purpose of the test
conducted.
Testing of Concrete
 Why?
 What can we observed from the testing of
concrete?
 What is the difference by testing concrete
while it is wet or when it is hard?
Fresh Concrete
 During wet condition.
 Directly after mixing/arrival on site
 What is the purpose?
Test for Fresh Concrete
 Slump test
 Compaction test
 Initial setting time
Hardened Concrete
 During hard condition.
 At a suitable age.
 To determine its strength in service.
Test for Hardened Concrete
 Compressive strength
 Split tension test
 Flexural strength test
 Permeability
Non Destructive Test (NDT)
 The structure still intact.
 No damage occurred to the specimen.
 Mobile instrument.
 Results might be slightly differ from DT.
Types of NDT
 Visual inspection
 Rebound Hammer
 Ultrasonic test
 Liquid Penetrant
 … others
Rebound Hammer
 To
determine the strength of existing
concrete.
Ultrasonic Test
 Todetermine any discontinuity in
concrete, cracks in concrete and the
location of reinforcement in concrete.
Liquid Penetrant
 Fordetection of crack penetration depth
in concrete.
Chain drag
 The method simply involves dragging lengths
of chain across the top of a concrete surface.
A distinctly hollow, drum-like sound is heard
when delaminations are encountered. Chain
drag surveys are particularly effective in
locating shallow delaminations on uncovered
decks. The method can't be used to locate
delaminations in the concrete below
bituminous wearing surfaces, although
debonding between wearing surface and
underlying concrete can generally be
detected by a chain drag survey.
Hammer Sounding
 Hammer sounding can aid in detecting impending spalls and
existing delaminations which, when struck with a hammer, give off
a dull sound or loud pop as opposed to the sharp ring of hard
concrete without any internal discontinuities. This sound is easily
noted when progressing from solid areas to delaminated areas.
Similarly, hammer sounding of bolts and rivets can serve as an aid in
detecting loose fasteners. Bolts and rivets should be struck
sideways, as well as on their ends. In the inspection of timber
elements, hammer sounding is used to detect the presence of
significant decay. When a seriously decayed member is struck with
the hammer, a dull or hollow sound is produced. However, when
suspected timber decay is encountered, it must be verified by
other means such as boring or coring. Hammer sounding can be
satisfactorily accomplished using a light hammer. Figure 6:3-1 shows
an inspector hammer sounding a concrete abutment.
Windsor probe
 The Windsor Probe rapidly and accurately
determines the concrete compressive strength of
a structure by driving a probe into the concrete
with a known amount of force. Improved and
enhanced over thirty years, this modern system is
capable of measuring concrete with a maximum
compressive strength of 17,000 PSI (110MPA). It has
been ruggedized for use in the construction
environment, yet refined to provide the user with a
simpler system to operate. An electronic
measuring unit has been added to help ensure
proper test results which can be recorded for later
review or uploading to a personal computer.
Impulse radar
 The impulse radar technique employs high-
frequency electromagnetic energy waves for
rapidly and continuously assessing a variety of
characteristics in concrete structures. The principle
of operation is based on reflection of
electromagnetic waves from varying dielectric
constant boundaries in the material being probed.
The impulse radar equipment is self-contained,
compact, and portable. The system consists of the
main radar unit, antenna and transducer cable.
All data is stored in the main radar unit, by means
of a computer hard drive.
Impact Encho
 Impact-Echo is a method for nondestructive evaluation of
concrete and masonry, based on the use of impact-generated
stress (sound) waves that propagate through the structure and are
reflected by internal flaws and external surfaces. Impact-Echo can
be used to make accurate, nondestructive, ASTM approved
measurements of thickness in concrete slabs and plates, (ASTM
Standard C 1383 - 98a). It can also be used to 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
directly beneath slabs and pavements. It can be used to
determine thickness or locate cracks, voids and other defects in
masonry structures where the brick or block units are bonded
together with mortar. Impact-echo is not adversely affected by the
presence of steel reinforcing bars.
Half cell potential
 The method of half-cell potential measurements normally
involves measuring the potential of an embedded
reinforcing bar relative to a reference half-cell placed on
the concrete surface. The half-cell is usually a
copper/copper sulphate or silver/silver chloride cell but
other combinations are used. The concrete functions as an
electrolyte and the risk of corrosion of the reinforcement in
the immediate region of the test location may be related
empirically to the measured potential difference. In some
circumstances, useful measurements can be obtained
between two half-cells on the concrete surface. ASTM
C876 - 91 gives a Standard Test Method for Half-Cell
Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete.