Rebound Hammer test

Lebanese Consulate
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Purpose:
This report aims to identify the quality of concrete in the columns present at the Lebanese Consulate
in Lagos.

Interpretation:
The estimated age of concrete in question is above 50 years.

The method used is Indirect test (Rebound Hammer) in accordance with EN12504-2, the relationship
between in-situ compressive strength and indirect test data is calculated based on EN13791:2007 (E).

The columns tested are marked on the drawing below (Pic.1)

Each column was tested at three different height level (Low, Mid, High), column 6 was tested only at
one level because there was no access to it, column 8 was tested at 10 cm away from the rusted iron
bars as shown in the picture. All tests were executed horizontally.

The Rebound data (R) is registered in the table 1, each value is the average of 10 rebound executed
at each point.

Column front Back

Low Mid High Low Mid High

1 48 49 44 52 47 47

2 51 44 49 50 48 48

3 45 46 48

4 46 48 49

5a 26 27 29 41 44 44

5b 34 32 37 48 47 48

6 46

7 48 51 56 55 50 53

8 48

Table 1. Rebound Data (R)

The rebound compressive strength (Fr) is calculated based on EN13791:2007 (E) clause 8.3.3 figure 2
(attached to this file)

Fr = (1.25 x R )-23 if 20≥R≥24

Fr = (1.73 x R )-34.5 if 24≥R≥50

Column front Back

Low Mid High Low Mid High
1 48.54 50.27 41.62 55.46 46.81 46.81
2 53.73 41.62 50.27 52 48.54 48.54
3 43.35 45.08 48.54
4 45.08 48.54 50.27
5a 10.48 12.21 15.67 36.43 41.62 41.62
5b 24.32 20.86 29.51 48.54 46.81 48.54
6 45.08
7 48.54 53.73 62.38 60.65 52 57.19
8 48.54
Table 2. (Fr) Rebound compressive strength (in situ)
Visual inspection:

The concrete in the areas that were tested was of color gray and showing a strong outer layer and we
had to use a grinding machine to smoothen the surface of contact to execute the test.

All the bottom part of the columns were moist and showed sign of rust and carbonation going from
10 to 50cm from the ground.

On column number 8 as shown in the picture the test was taken 10 cm away from the iron bar and
still gave a result of 48.54 MPa.

Column 5a and 5b showed good result at the inner side, while a very poor result on the outer side
(colored in red in Table 2), this was due to a demolition work of a wall going from each column to the
perimeter of the Hall room.

Conclusion:

Considering the accuracy of the rebound hammer test to be 15 to 20% and if we exclude columns 5a
and 5b, the lowest in situ result obtained was 41,62 MPa.

0.8 x 41.62= 33.296 MPa

Based on BSEN 206 classification, the corresponding class of concrete is of minimum grade 25/30.

Column 1
Column 2

Column 3
Column 4

Column 5a
Column 5b

Column 6
Column 7

Column 8