Title: In situ concrete strength assessment: Part I – the use of multiple combined nondestructive testing

Authors: Raffaele Pucinotti

Addresses: Department of Mechanics and Materials, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito, I-89122, Reggio Calabria, Italy

Abstract: A series of nondestructive tests was performed with the purpose of investigating the mechanical properties of the concrete employed in civil buildings. A series of specimens were prepared to correlate the in situ concrete strengths obtained by multiple combined nondestructive methods with the cubical and cylindrical strength obtained by destructive methods. The multiple combined methods (SonReb methods + Windsor Probe tests) were used for the quality control and strength estimation of the concrete. In particular, a series of specimens by aggregates having various Mohs hardness and by aggregates with only a class of Mohs hardness was prepared. The comparison between nondestructive and destructive tests, conduced on cores from the specimens, were evidenced, as the use of Windsor methods is generally justifiable only if a reliable correlation for a particular type of concrete is developed and as both the SonReb and SonReb-Win methods give resistance values that are close to the actual ones.

Keywords: nondestructive testing; NDT; concrete strength; Schmidt rebound hammer; ultrasonic pulse velocity; Windsor Probe system; SonReb; combined methods; Mohs hardness; casting; core; materials properties; buildings; quality control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2009.028433

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2009 Vol.4 No.1, pp.57 - 73

Published online: 17 Sep 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article