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BS 6089
BS 6089
Guide to
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Assessment of concrete
strength in existing
structures
Cooperating organizations
Aluminium Federation
Association of Consulting Engineers*
Brick Development Association
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd*
British Steel Corporation
British Steel Industry*
Cement and Concrete Association*
Concrete Society Limited*
Consumer Standards Advisory Committee of BSI
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
County Surveyors’ Society
Department of the Environment (PSA)*
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment*
Department of the Environment (Housing and Construction)*
Department of the Environment (Transport and Road Research Laboratory)*
Department of the Environment (Water Engineering Division including Water Data Unit)
Department of Transport
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors*
Health and Safety Executive
Institution of Civil Engineers*
Institution of Municipal Engineers*
Institution of Public Health Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers*
Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists
London Transport Executive
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
National Federation of Building Trades Employers*
National Water Council
Royal Institute of British Architects*
Scottish Development Department
Timber Research and Development Association
Trades Union Congress
The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the Technical Committee entrusted
with the preparation of this British Standard:
Contents
Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
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2 References 1
3 Definitions 1
4 Planning an investigation 1
5 Test methods 3
6 Conducting an investigation 7
Appendix A Bibliography 11
Figure 1 — Illustration of approximate relationship
of compressive strengths 13
Figure 2 — Comparisons between design strength and
estimated in-situ cube strength 14
Table 1 — Guide to tests for assessing aspects of concrete strength 11
Table 2 — Relative merits and limitations of various tests 12
Standards publications referred to Inside back cover
© BSI 01-1999 i
BS 6089:1981
Foreword
The need to assess the strength of the concrete in an existing structure can arise
from a variety of reasons, such as doubts following non-compliance of standard
cube strength results or possible deterioration due to aggressive environments or
a wish to check that the strength is acceptable for a particular loading system,
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Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 14, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii © BSI 12-1998
BS 6089:1981
© BSI 12-1998 1
BS 6089:1981
c) Deterioration of concrete due to: a) Test location (see also 3.5). Factors to be
overloading; considered include:
fatigue; 1) position of suspect concrete in the member;
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2 © BSI 12-1998
BS 6089:1981
from indirect non-destructive tests, will depend a value of the estimated cube strength is generally
upon reliability of correlation between test method to drill cylindrical cores and test these in
and core strengths. A combination of different test compression. Whenever possible, the cores should
methods may be chosen for the following reasons: be drilled, prepared and tested in accordance with
section 3 of BS 1881-4:1970, although this standard
a) use of one method as a preliminary to another recommends alternative methods of treating the
(e.g. use of ultrasonic methods to select areas results. Detailed advice for core testing procedure is
from which to drill cores); given in Technical Report No. 11 published by the
b) use of a limited core investigation together Concrete Society (5).
with ultrasonic pulse velocity in order to 5.1.2 Selection of drilling points. Each drilling point
establish a more accurate correlation for the should be selected so that the core contains no steel
particular site and permit a wider use of parallel to its length and as little as possible
non-destructive methods; perpendicular to its axis.
c) results from two or more different 5.1.3 Accuracy of test and number of cores. The
non-destructive methods can be used together to number of cores will depend upon the amount of
provide a more accurate assessment of strength; information required, the required accuracy of
d) order of accuracy of different correlations strength estimates and the cost of drilling,
between non-destructive tests and strength preparing and testing the cores.
varies at different strength levels. The accuracy of strength estimates depends upon
4.4.4 Site conditions. The site conditions that should the reproducibility of the test method and the
be considered include: number of cores tested. The strength estimated from
a) general site location, and ease of transport of a single core can be considered to lie (with 95 %
test equipment; confidence) within ± 12 % of the strength of the
b) accessibility to suspect region on site; concrete at that location. The accuracy of the
estimate is increased if more cores are taken at the
c) safety of personnel on site and general public, same location. For n cores, the mean core strength
e.g. when gamma rays are used. can be considered to be accurate within ± 12/√n % of
4.4.5 Economics. The test programme will be the strength at that location.
influenced by economic factors such as the value of The degree of uncertainty that can be tolerated in
the work and costs arising from: the estimated in-situ strength will often depend
a) delays in construction whilst testing is upon the measured value of the in-situ strength
conducted and decisions are made; when compared with the value that may be
b) delays in completion and hand-over; considered acceptable. If in-situ strength, based on
the mean core strength, is found to be near the limit
c) removal of defective concrete or strengthening
of structure; of acceptance, it may be necessary to drill further
cores.
d) different test methods;
5.1.4 Size of cores. Before capping, a core should
e) selection of an adequate number of tests for have a length at least 95 % of its diameter. When
assessment. prepared for test, it should preferably have a length
at least equal to its diameter and not
exceeding 1.2 times its diameter. Cores of
both 100 mm and 150 mm nominal diameter may be
tested provided the nominal maximum aggregate
size does not exceed 20 mm and 40 mm respectively.
Whenever possible, however, 150 mm diameter
cores should be drilled as less variability due to
drilling and more reliable results are obtained, with
the following exceptions:
a) when reinforcement is congested, 100 mm
diameter cores are less likely to contain pieces of
steel;
© BSI 12-1998 3
BS 6089:1981
4 © BSI 12-1998
BS 6089:1981
The main virtue of the test, therefore, is that it 5.2.3 Number of tests. Ultrasonic test equipment
provides a method of determining the variation in permits transit times to be measured with
quality of concrete in different locations in one considerable accuracy provided that the path length
element, or in a series of elements, where the same is not less than 150 mm and not so long that the
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mix has been used throughout. transmitted pulse is unduly attenuated. Accuracy of
Where the strength of concrete has been determined the calculated pulse velocity also depends upon the
by other means and pulse velocities in the same accuracy with which the path length can be
samples have been determined, a correlation curve measured. There is little advantage in taking more
can be established for that particular mix. In these than one reading at any single location (although
circumstances the ultrasonic pulse velocity test can this may usefully be checked) because accuracy of
be used to establish indirectly the strength of the pulse velocity will not be increased to any
concrete, and particularly the variation in strength, significant extent. The more effective procedure is to
throughout the elements under test. measure velocities at a number of locations over the
member or structure to facilitate plotting of
For more detailed information see BS 4408-5.
“velocity contours”. The number of locations will
5.2.2 Selection of test location. The direct depend upon the detail required but it will usually
transmission arrangement generally provides the be best to test at least 40 locations on any one
most reliable measurement and should be used structural element, this being practicable because
whenever possible. It is preferable to place the test can be carried out rapidly and is
transducers on smooth areas of the concrete surface, non-destructive.
a moulded surface being generally more satisfactory
5.2.4 Execution of tests. Positions chosen for test
than a floated or trowelled one.
locations should be marked out accurately on the
It is preferable to choose locations so that the length surface of the concrete, which should be cleaned so
of the pulse path is at least 150 mm. Considerably as to be free from grit and dust. Path lengths should
longer paths may be used but the longer the path be determined to within an accuracy of ± 1 % and a
the greater the possibility that small regions of suitable couplant should be applied to each of the
suspect concrete will be undetected. test points.
The presence of reinforcement can influence Pulse transit times should be measured by a skilled
measurements since pulses travel faster through operator using apparatus in accordance with
steel than through concrete. Measurements made BS 4408-5, which requires an accuracy of
on concrete containing steel will indicate higher measurement of not less than ± 1 %. It is important
velocities than in plain concrete since the pulses will that good acoustic coupling is established between
be travelling partly in steel and partly in concrete. transducers and concrete surface for each test.
When the pulse runs in the same direction as the
Test results should be examined and any unusual
reinforcement, the pulse velocity is essentially that
reading should be repeated carefully to verify or
in the steel, which can be up to 50 % more than in
amend the reading as necessary.
concrete. BS 4408-5 shows how corrections can be
made to allow for steel but these are approximate 5.2.5 Estimated in-situ cube strength. A reliable
and the accuracy of the estimated pulse velocity of estimate of in-situ strength can only be obtained if
the concrete is reduced. correlation between cube crushing strength and
pulse velocity is known for the particular concrete
The effect of steel on the measurement of the pulse
mix used in the condition in which it exists in the
velocity is negligible if the pulse transmission is at
structure. The correlation can be obtained from
right angles to the direction of the steel. Locations
tests on works cubes or from suitable beams made
where reinforcement lies directly along or close to
from the same concrete mix. It is advisable to carry
the pulse path should be avoided. To satisfy this, it
out tests on at least 30 cubes or beams over a wide
may be necessary to choose some of the pulse paths
range of strengths. A suitable range of strength may
using the semi-direct transmission measurement,
be obtained by varying the water/cement ratio of the
where the transducers are placed on adjacent faces
mix or the age of test. The correlation is influenced
of concrete instead of the opposite faces used in the
by moisture conditions of the concrete and, if this is
direct transmission measurement.
substantially different from that of the in-situ
concrete, an appropriate allowance should be made.
© BSI 12-1998 5
BS 6089:1981
Accuracy of values of estimated in-situ strength 5.4.3 Penetration test. Based on measurements of
depends mainly upon the validity of an assumed the resistance of concrete to penetration by a
correlation between in-situ strength and pulse hardened alloy probe fired into the surface.1)
velocity rather than the number of results. Accuracy 5.4.4 Use of tests. Experience with many of these
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of the estimated in-situ cube strength of a concrete methods so far is limited. Some of the tests have to
at a single location can be of the order of ± 20 % but be pre-planned with assemblies or disposable forms
only if a correlation curve is available for that being placed in the formwork before casting. Others
particular concrete. require more development to reduce the within-test
If a correlation curve for the particular concrete is variation to acceptable limits.
not available, a value of the estimated cube strength Whenever these or similar tests are used, it is
may be obtained by combining ultrasonic and core recommended that the equipment, procedure and
tests in order to obtain a correlation between core number of tests are fully described and the accuracy
strength and pulse velocity in the cores. This and reliability of the correlation between test
correlation is likely to be based on only a few core measurement and in-situ cube strength clearly
test results with a limited strength range and defined. This is demonstrated in 5.5 for the internal
accuracy of the estimated cube strength is reduced fracture test developed by the Building Research
accordingly. Establishment (1, 2) to assist in the structural
5.3 Gamma ray test. The method of testing appraisal of high-alumina cement concrete
concrete by means of gamma radiography structures.
(BS 4408-3) is not considered suitable for strength 5.5 Internal fracture test
assessment. This method gives useful information
on density variations and location of reinforcement 5.5.1 General. This test was introduced in 1976 and
as well as the efficiency with which ducts are thus experience to date is small. The test is
grouted. As this test is not recommended for sometimes called “pull-out” test but it is quite
strength assessment, no further information is distinct from that described in references (3), (8)
given in this standard. and (9).
5.4 Near-to-surface tests. In recent years, a It should be emphasized that the internal fracture
number of tests have been developed that provide a test provides information on the strength of concrete
measure of the in-situ strength of concrete near to at or near the surface of an element only.
the surface (4). The results of such tests should be 5.5.2 Selection of test locations. The test involves
viewed with caution for larger elements, or in drilling holes 6 mm in diameter and 30 mm
circumstances where the compaction of the original to 35 mm deep, in the surface of concrete. Conduct
mix was such as to produce a hard “skin” on the of the test may spall the concrete, leaving a shallow
surface of the element under consideration. The hole on the surface that can be some 50 mm across.
methods include those outlined in 5.4.1 to 5.4.3. Location of testing points should, therefore, be
5.4.1 Pull-out tests planned with an appreciation that the surface may
be damaged. Holes should not be drilled at any point
a) Based on measurements of the force required
on the surface within 50 mm of an arris or any other
to pull out special assemblies whose enlarged end
discontinuity, or within 100 mm of another testing
has been cast into concrete. (See Malhotra and
point or within 25 mm of reinforcement unless the
Carette (8); Kierkagaard-Hansen and
cover is more than 25 mm.
Bickley (9).)
Correlation between the test result and the strength
b) Based on measurements of the force required of concrete may be influenced by compressive strain
to pull out bolts, fitted either with split-sleeve
on the concrete and so it may be preferable to test
expanding assemblies or epoxy resin into holes
concrete in regions where compressive stresses are
drilled in hardened concrete. (See Chabowski and
low. Selected test locations should permit adequate
Bryden-Smith (1, 2); Maillhot et al (10).)
access and space for purposes of conducting the test.
5.4.2 Break-off test. Based on direct measurements 5.5.3 Number of tests. Six valid internal fracture
of the flexural strength of concrete in an annular tests are needed to obtain a mean value for one
cross section parallel to, and at a definite distance
location. This mean value based upon six tests is
from, the concrete surface. (See Johansen (11).)
likely to be accurate, with 95 % confidence,
within ± 30 %.
1)
See ASTM C803-79 (12). The method is generally known as the Windsor probe test.
6 © BSI 12-1998
BS 6089:1981
5.5.4 Testing procedure. The method of test should 5.6.3 Number of tests. Surface hardness tests are
be strictly in accordance with recommendations of similar to pulse velocity tests in that they are
the Building Research Establishment (1, 2). Each essentially non-destructive (although the concrete
test result should be recorded as the maximum surface is marked) and accuracy of estimated in-situ
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reading indicated on a torque meter. cube strength depends upon the validity of the
5.5.5 Estimated in-situ cube strength. Data assumed correlation between in-situ strength and
available suggests that the estimated cube strength, test results. Unlike the pulse velocity test, however,
in N/mm2, of concrete made with 20 mm maximum repeat tests within one location vary significantly
size gravel or limestone aggregate and ordinary with random high and low results. Provided at
Portland cement may be estimated by applying the least 10 readings are taken in any one location
following formula to the mean torque of six or more (preferably an area not more than 300 mm square)
tests in one location: the mean reading is likely to be accurate
within ± 15/√n % with 95 % confidence, where n is
Estimated cube strength = 3.74 T1.55 N/mm2 the number of individual readings.
where T is the torque, in N m. 5.6.4 Execution of tests. Tests should be made with a
For other types of concrete (and, preferably, for suitable device (rebound hammer or indentation
those described above) it is recommended that, if device of an appropriate size) and its correct
possible, correlation between cube strength and functioning should be checked.
torque should be established by tests on samples of Tests should be made at each location in a
the concrete being examined. systematic way by choosing points on the concrete
5.6 Surface hardness test surface at intersections of a regular grid of
lines 20 mm to 50 mm apart.
5.6.1 General. Surface hardness tests, which include
rebound and indentation methods, provide only an The mean of all readings taken at each test location
approximate indication of strength and are should be calculated using all readings (including
discussed in detail in BS 4408-4. Their application abnormally high and low values).
is generally limited to tests on concrete with ages 5.6.5 Estimated in-situ cube strength. A reliable
between about 3 days and 3 months. Concrete estimate of in-situ strength can only be obtained if
younger than 3 to 7 days may be damaged by what correlation between hardness reading and cube
is essentially a non-destructive test while concrete strength is known for the particular concrete mix
older than 3 months is likely to have suffered used. A correlation may be obtained on cubes
carbonation at the surface. This can increase (preferably 150 mm size) of the particular mix
surface hardness unduly and give rise to under test over a range of strengths. Details of the
considerable errors in assessing the estimated cube execution of correlation tests are given in
strength. BS 4408-4.
5.6.2 Selection of test location. Smooth and dry By using a correlation curve obtained in this way, it
surfaces should be selected as test locations. is possible to estimate the strength of concrete near
Wherever possible surfaces to be selected should the surface to an accuracy of within ± 20 % provided
have been formed by shuttering. Free trowelled the concrete is not more than about 3 months old.
surfaces could however be used if necessary, However, this degree of accuracy may be
although less reliance has to be placed on the results significantly reduced if the condition of in-situ
unless surfaces are ground before testing. concrete is different from that of concrete used for
Open-textured or honeycombed areas have to be the correlation tests, since curing conditions and
avoided. surface moisture conditions can influence
The points chosen for tests should be at least 20 mm correlation considerably.
away from an edge or sharp discontinuity and
should be not less than 20 mm from each other. 6 Conducting an investigation
Presence of reinforcement does not normally 6.1 General. Having taken account of the various
influence test results so that choice of test location factors outlined in clause 4 in the determination and
should not be affected by the position of steel bars in execution of a suitable test programme, the
concrete. subsequent interpretation of test results and
Usual directions of test are either horizontal or decisions regarding any future action will depend
vertically down but any direction may be used upon:
provided this is measured and taken into account in a) the inherent variations in in-situ strength;
interpreting test results.
b) the location and number of test results;
c) interpretation of results;
© BSI 12-1998 7
BS 6089:1981
d) potential courses of action; If this single batch of concrete is now cast into a
6.2 Inherent variations in in-situ strength. structural member such as a column its strength
Tests on in-situ concrete (5, 6, 7) indicate the will be less, owing to factors such as compaction and
following. curing, and will vary depending on its position in the
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8 © BSI 12-1998
BS 6089:1981
© BSI 12-1998 9
BS 6089:1981
10 © BSI 12-1998
BS 6089:1981
Appendix A Bibliography
References
1. BUILDING RESEARCH STATION. Pull-out test for the assessment of the strength of HAC concrete.
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© BSI 12-1998 11
BS 6089:1981
12 © BSI 12-1998
BS 6089:1981
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© BSI 12-1998 13
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© BSI 12-1998 14
Figure 2 — Comparisons between design strength and estimated in-situ cube strength
BS 6089:1981
BS 6089:1981
© BSI 12-1998
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