International Concrete Abstracts Portal

On the basis of the acoustic emission (AE) measuring technique, a diagnostic method for nondestructive evaluation of cracks in concrete is proposed. The diagnostics consist of a mechanical criterion of crack initiation, a quantitative waveform analysis of AE, the evaluation of deterioration by a test of core specimens, and the ultrasonic spectroscopic investigation of cracked members. Results of basic studies on these methods are summarized. Results of basic studies confirm the feasibility and the usefulness of the proposed method as diagnostics of cracks in concrete structures.

The fracture process of a composite material involves crushing or slippage of adjacent particles, microcracking, etc., resulting in changes in the load-versus-displacement behavior. A study of the fracture process is necessary to develop a rational material model. Laser holographic interferometry was applied to study the whole field deformation pattern. Speckle photography was used to measure quantitatively displacement discontinuities at bond cracks at various stages of loading. Acoustic emission (AE) techniques were applied to monitor microseismic activities resulting from the various fracture phenomena. The rate of microfracture was measured from the AE event rates. A source location algorithm was used to calculate the locations of the AE events. Specimens were made with different aggregate and void sizes to study their effect on crack patterns and load-displacement behaviors.

Presents an investigation to determine the within-test variability of various nondestructive test methods (NDT) and the correlation between NDT test results and the corresponding compressive strength of cores. The size effects of coarse aggregate on the variability and correlation were also evaluated. The NDT test methods evaluated in the test series include rebound hammer, pulse velocity, probe penetration, pullout, and CAPO (cut and pullout). Companion tests of field-cured standard cylinders and cores were also made at the ages when the NDT tests were made. Results show that the within-test variability of the in situ tests reported (except the pulse velocity test) is two to five times higher than that of the corresponding standard compression test and is affected significantly by the amount of coarse aggregate and its size. There is a good relationship between the results of in situ tests and the compressive strength. In general, the highest degree of correlation is for the pullout test followed by that for the CAPO (cut and pullout) test and rebound test, probe penetration test, and pulse velocity test.

Aim is to analyze the correlations between several nondestructive measured values (ultrasonic velocity and attenuation, rebound number) and the compressive strength of concrete. A computational program performs a step-by-step analysis. First, isolated linear correlations are established for each one of the three nondestructive tests. Then the results are compared with each other in the sense of a general multiple correlation of the values. Since the results obtained from the nondestructive tests are equally scattered, the program determines interactively, in a second step, the multiple coefficients of correlation and restarts the analysis several times by tentatively disregarding the presumably bad experimental results. Since the measured values also comprise a large spectrum of magnitude, limits of validity of the assumed correlations are investigated concomitantly with the process of analysis. A last step is performed to identify a tendency of deviation of the single and multiple correlations from the basic linear ones.

A case history of methods used to evaluate the allowable form removal time for a large diameter tunnel concrete lining is presented. To meet schedule requirements, a concrete placement was to be made every alternate day. A triad of testing was done to evaluate the time at which the reusable, self-propelled, steel-skinned form could be stripped from an existing placement. This testing consisted of field-cured cylinders and nondestructive testing that included embedded thermocouples in the concrete placements and penetration-resistance testing. Reference curves and tables were developed for use in the form removal evaluation. Statistical methods were used on test data obtained from results of testing done with the actual concrete mix to be used in the placements. Control curves were then developed. Target values were selected to be used in determining when the concrete was of sufficient strength to allow for the form removal.