Tests to Verify Low Strength Concrete ACI Georgia Chapter Virgil D. Skipper Seminar June 2009 Robert Jenkins, P. E.

Available Testing Procedures Cores Cores Nondestructive Evaluation Nondestructive Evaluation Load Tests Load Tests

Core Strength Tests Core Strength Tests SPECIFICATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL CONCRETE ACI a Where required by the Architect/Engineer, obtain cores in accordance with ASTM C 42/C42 M Core tests—Strength level of concrete in the area represented by core tests will be considered adequate when the average compressive strength of the cores is equal to at least 85% of fc′, and if no single core is less than 75% of the specified compressive strength fc′.

Nondestructive Evaluation Unanticipated testing of hardened concrete Unanticipated testing of hardened concrete Rebound Hammer ASTM C805Rebound Hammer ASTM C805 Penetrating Probe ASTM C803Penetrating Probe ASTM C803 Ultrasonic Wave VelocityUltrasonic Wave Velocity Through transmission testing ASTM C597 Through transmission testing ASTM C597 Impact Echo testing ASTM C1383 Impact Echo testing ASTM C1383 Pullout Test ASTM C900Pullout Test ASTM C900

Nondestructive Tests SPECIFICATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL CONCRETE ACI Nondestructive tests—Test results will be evaluated by the Architect/Engineer and will be valid only if tests have been conducted using properly calibrated equipment in accordance with recognized standard procedures and an acceptable correlation between test results and concrete compressive strength has been established and is submitted. * * * Nondestructive tests—Nondestructive tests shall not be used as the sole basis for accepting or rejecting concrete, but may be used, when permitted, to evaluate concrete where standard molded and cured cylinders have yielded results not meeting the criteria in

Load Test Evaluation ACI — If the effect of the strength deficiency is not well understood or if it is not feasible to establish the required dimensions and material properties by measurement, a load test shall be required if the structure is to remain in service.

Available Nondestructive Test Methods Rebound Hammer ASTM C805Rebound Hammer ASTM C805 Penetrating Probe ASTM C803Penetrating Probe ASTM C803 Ultrasonic Wave VelocityUltrasonic Wave Velocity Through transmission testing ASTM C597 Through transmission testing ASTM C597 Impact Echo testing ASTM C1383 Impact Echo testing ASTM C1383 Pullout Test ASTM C900Pullout Test ASTM C900

Rebound Hammer ASTM C805

Rebound Number Correlations

Penetrating Probe ASTM C803

Penetrating Probe Correlations

Ultrasonic Wave Evaluation

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity ASTMC597

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Correlation

Impact - Echo Testing ASTM C1383 T=C p /2*f C p =T*2*f

Pullout Test ASTMC900

Pullout Test - CAPO

Pullout Test cracking patterns

Pullout Test – CAPO correlation

In-Place Methods to Estimate Concrete Strength ACI Report ACI Report Review of Test MethodsReview of Test Methods Statistical Characteristics of Test ResultsStatistical Characteristics of Test Results Development of Strength RelationshipDevelopment of Strength Relationship Implementation of In-Place TestingImplementation of In-Place Testing Interpretation and Reporting of ResultsInterpretation and Reporting of Results In-Place Tests for Acceptance of ConcreteIn-Place Tests for Acceptance of Concrete

Construction Project Scenario  High Rise Construction – Office Tower  Concrete Placement  Columns – days 60 yards  Floor slab – days 240 yards

Cylinder Test Reports  7 day strengths  Set 1 (slab) psi  Set 2 (slab) psi  Set 3 (slab) – 2865 psi  Set 4 (column) – 3580 psi

Ultrasonic Testing at 12 days age Columns Top11500 fps Middle12000 fps Bottom12500 fps Slabs12000 fps

Validity of Ultrasonic Wave Velocity  Water content of concrete can have an effect on the wave velocity.  At higher strengths the spread of wave velocity verses compressive strength is less.  The tests of vertical elements must consider the top to bottom effect.  Ultrasonic wave tests are affected by discontinuities in the concrete.

Validity of Ultrasonic Wave Velocity  Water content of concrete can have an effect on the wave velocity.  At higher strengths the spread of wave velocity verses compressive strength is less.  The tests of vertical elements must consider the top to bottom effect.  Ultrasonic wave tests are affected by discontinuities in the concrete.

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

Validity of Ultrasonic Wave Velocity  Water content of concrete can have an effect on the wave velocity.  At higher strengths the spread of wave velocity verses compressive strength is less.  The tests of vertical elements must consider the top to bottom effect.  Ultrasonic wave tests are affected by discontinuities in the concrete.

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Top to Bottom Effect When concrete is placed in a tall vertical placement such as a column or a wall; there is a difference in the concrete strengths from top to bottom with greater strengths at the bottom of the placement.

Validity of Ultrasonic Wave Velocity  Water content of concrete can have an effect on the wave velocity.  At higher strengths the spread of wave velocity verses compressive strength is less.  The tests of vertical elements must consider the top to bottom effect.  Ultrasonic wave tests are affected by discontinuities in the concrete.

Travel time of wave through concrete

Cylinder Test Reports  7 day strengths  Set 1 (slab) psi  Set 2 (slab) psi  Set 3 (slab) – 2865 psi  Set 4 (column) – 3580 psi  28 day strengths  Set 1 (slab) – 4120 psi  Set 2 (slab) – 4280 psi  Set 3 (slab) – 3820 psi  Set 4 (column) – 4480 psi

Rebound Hammer at 35 days age Columns Average Rn = 29 Range Rn 26 to 35 Slabs Average Rn = 26 Range Rn 20 to 31

Validity of Rebound Testing  Testing the hardness (stiffness) of the concrete surface and shallow depth into concrete.  Affected by:  Form material and type and smoothness  Aggregates, closeness to surface  Reinforcing steel, closeness to surface  Moisture content  Surface finish  Hammer orientation

Rebound Number Correlations

Variation of Rebound Numbers

Cylinder Test Reports  28 day strengths  Set 1 (slab) – 4120 psi  Set 2 (slab) – 4280 psi  Set 3 (slab) – 3820 psi  Set 4 (column) – 4480 psi  56 day strengths     Set 4 (column) – 4930 psi

Coring - PROBLEMS Where to core? Where to core? Columns have No. 8 vertical reinforcing bars at 3 inches on center. Clear distance between bars is 2 inches. Columns have No. 8 vertical reinforcing bars at 3 inches on center. Clear distance between bars is 2 inches. ASTM C42 – cores for load bearing elements minimum 3.70 inch diameter. ASTM C42 – cores for load bearing elements minimum 3.70 inch diameter. Core between bars yields 1.75 inch diameter – less than 2 times nominal maximum aggregate size Core between bars yields 1.75 inch diameter – less than 2 times nominal maximum aggregate size

WHAT TO DO???

Other Nondestructive Tests Penetration Probe Penetration Probe Interference from rebarInterference from rebar Pullout Test – CAPO Pullout Test – CAPOProblems Number of tests required and correlation to concrete strength. Number of tests required and correlation to concrete strength.

Load Tests How do you load test a column? Or 15 columns?

Load Tests of Concrete Usual area load of slab Usual area load of slab Pattern loading of slabs and beams Pattern loading of slabs and beams Concentrated loading of beam haunch Concentrated loading of beam haunch Special jacks and tension rods for punching shear around column. Special jacks and tension rods for punching shear around column. Cyclic load testing using closed loop controllers and hydraulic jacks. Cyclic load testing using closed loop controllers and hydraulic jacks.

Discussion of load tests Strength Evaluation of Existing Concrete Buildings ACI Report 437R-03

Redo ultrasonic tests – concrete has dried sufficiently. Take small diameter cores where lower wave velocities are noted. Engineers determine that 5000 psi is sufficient strength for these columns.

Questions