Title:
Laboratory and Field Studies of the Impact-Echo Method for Flaw Detection in Concrete
Author(s):
M. Sansalone and N. J. Carino
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
112
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
1-20
Keywords:
concretes; concrete slabs; impact; nondestructive tests; ultrasonic tests; voids; General
DOI:
10.14359/3688
Date:
1/1/1989
Abstract:
A nondestructive test method has been developed for locating defects in concrete. The technique is referred to as the impact-echo method and is based on monitoring surface displacements resulting from the interactions of transient stress waves with internal discontinuities. Paper describes the technique and presents results of laboratory studies designed to evaluate the capabilities of the method. These laboratory studies were carried out on 500 mm thick slabs that contained a variety of artificial flaws embedded at known locations. Frequency analysis of recorded time-domain waveforms is explained and shown to be a quick and simple signal processing technique. Finally, results are presented from a field study in which the impact-echo method was used to investigate a 150 mm thick slab believed to contain voids.