Title: In Situ/Nondestructive Testing of Concrete -A Global Review

Author(s): In Situ/Nondestructive Testing of Concrete -A Global Review

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 82

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-16

Keywords: acount pressive streng tests; measurin tests; pullout stic emission; break-off tests; calibrating; com-th; concretes; flexural strength; impact hammer g instruments; nondestructive tests; penetration tests; radiography; reviews; ultrasonic tests.

DOI: 10.14359/6546

Date: 9/1/1984

Abstract:
During the past 40 years in-situ/non-destruc-tive testing of concrete has achieved increasing acceptance for the evaluation of existing concrete structures with regard to their uniformity, durability and other properties. This paper reviews critically the available in-situ/non-destructive tests for estimating concrete strength and for determining properties other than strength, and discusses their implications. The methods discussed for estimating concrete strength in-clude surface hardness and penetration resistance tests, pullout, ultrasonic pulse velocity, break-off, combined methods, and maturity techniques. The tests reviewed for determining properties other than strength include magnetic, electrical, radioactive, pulse echo, radar, microwave absorption, acoustic emission, nuclear, infrared thermography, and permeability methods. Some of the tests described are relatively easy to perform whereas others require sophisticated equipment and trained personnel, and there are others which are still in the development stage. Regardless of the type of test used, it is emphasized that interpretation of test data must be performed by specialists rather than by technicians performing the tests. Unless comprehensive laboratory correlations have been established between the strength parameters to be predicted and the results of in-situ/non-destructive tests, the use of the latter to predict compressive or flexural strength of concrete is discouraged.