Application of the Combined Method for Evaluating the Compressive Strength of Concrete on Site

Samia  Hannachi; Mohamed Nacer  Guetteche

doi:10.4236/ojce.2012.21003

Samia Hannachi, Mohamed Nacer Guetteche

Abstract: Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and rebound hammer (RH) tests are often used for assessing the quality of concrete and estimation of its compressive strength. Several parameters influence this property of concrete as the type and size of aggregates, cement content, the implementation of concrete, etc. To account for these factors, both of the two tests are combined and their measurements are calibrated with the results of mechanical tests on cylindrical specimens cast on site and on cores taken from the existing structure in work progress at the new-city Massinissa El-Khroub Constantine in Algeria. In this study; the two tests cited above have been used to determine the concrete quality by applying regression analysis models between compressive strength of in situ concrete on existing structure and the nondestructive tests values, the combined method is used, equations are derived using statistical analysis (simple and multiple regression) to estimate compressive strength of concrete on site and the reliability of the technique for prediction of the strength is discussed for this case study.

Keywords: Nondestructive Testing; Rebound Hammer; Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity; Combined Method; Compressive Strength; Specimen Samples; Cores; Regression Analysis

Cite this paper: S. Hannachi and M. Guetteche, "Application of the Combined Method for Evaluating the Compressive Strength of Concrete on Site," Open Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 2 No. 1, 2012, pp. 16-21. doi: 10.4236/ojce.2012.21003.

References

[1] D. Breysse, “Quality of NDT Measurements and Accuracy of Physical Properties,” Concrete NDTCE’09, Nantes, 30 June-3 July, 2009.

[2] International Atomic Energy Agency, “Guidebook for the Fabrication of Nondestructive Testing Training Course,” Series No. 13, 2001.

[3] B. Hobbs and K. Tchoketch, “Nondestructive Testing Techniques for the Forensic Engineering Investigation of Reinforced Concrete Buildings,” Forensic Science International, Vol. 167, No. 2-3, 2007, pp. 167-172. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.06.065

[4] J. H. Bungey and S. G. Millard, “Testing of Concrete in Structures,” 3rd Edition, Blackie Academic & Professional, London, 1996.

[5] D. Breysse, “Combining Information, Reliability and Maintenance,” Diagnosis of NEC Works, 2008

[6] V. M. Malhotra and N. J. Carino, “CRC Handbook on Nondestructive Testing of Concrete,” CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1991.

[7] Rilem Report TC43-CND, “Draft Recommendation for In Situ Concrete Strength Determination by Combined Non-Destructive Methods,” 1983.

[8] Y. Lin, C. Lai and T. Yen, “Prediction of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) in Concrete,” ACI Materials Journal, Vol. 100, No. 1, 2003, pp. 21-28.

[9] K. Komlos, S. Popovics, T. Nurnbergerova, B. Babal and J. S. Popovics, “Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test of Concrete Properties as Specified in Various Standard,” Cement and Concrete Composites, Vol. 18, No. 5, 1996, pp. 357-364.

[10] L. Divet, “Techniques for Diagnosing the Condition of Concrete,” LCPC Presentation, Nantes, 2005.

[11] I. Facaoaru, “Non-Destructive Testing of Concrete in Romania, Symposium on NDT of Concrete and Timber,” Institute of Civil Engineers, London, 1970, pp. 39-49.

[12] M. Erdal, “Prediction of the Compressive Strength of Vacuum Processed Concretes Using Artificial Neural Network and Regression Techniques,” Scientific Research and Essay, Vol. 4, No. 10, 2009, pp. 1057-1065.

[13] Hindo and Bergstrom, “Statistical Evaluation of the Inplace Strength of Concrete,” Concrete International, Vol. 7, No. 2, 1985, pp. 44-48.