CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURES

Condition Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Structures

- Systematic and logical examination of the structure to identify the area and cause of
distress.

Condition evaluation is generally carried out under any of the given circumstances

• Change in resistance of structure due to deterioration owing to time-depending processes

such as corrosion or fatigue
• Structural damage due to accidental loadings like earthquake, tsunami, fire, blasts, etc.
• Structures subjected to change in use, operational changes or increased load where it is
necessary to check the adequacy of the structure to resist additional loads.
Condition assessment generally leads to two major findings
• Condition of the structure is satisfactory and requires no further intervention
• Structures require any of the following
Preservation: The process of maintaining a structure in its present condition and
arresting further deterioration
Rehabilitation: The process of repairing or modifying the structure to its desired useful
condition.
Repair: The process of replacing or correcting deteriorated, damaged, or faulty
materials, components, or elements of a structure.
Restoration: the process of re-establishing the materials, form, and appearance of the
structure.
Strengthening: The process of increasing the load-resistance capacity of a structure or
portion.
Retrofitting: the process of strengthening the structure along with structural system.
Objectives of Condition Assessment

– To provide insight into the current condition of the structure i.e. to identify the
cause & source of observed distress.
– To assess the extent and development of the deterioration
– To assess the influence of the deterioration on the safety and life expectancy of
the structure i.e. determining the residual strength of structure and its possibility
of being repaired.
– To accurately assess the scenario of concrete in structure in terms of its physical,
chemical and electro-chemical properties.
– To prioritise the repair of the distressed elements in order of the seriousness of the
deterioration.
– To chart out an effective and economically feasible concrete-repair program.
Stages of conditional Assessment

– Preliminary investigation

– Detailed investigation
Preliminary Investigation

• It helps to understand the past record of the structure in

terms of the distresses and repair carried out if any.
• It helps to assess the apparent physical condition,
robustness, structural integrity and strength of structure.
Objectives of Preliminary Investigation
• To obtain the initial information regarding the condition of structure by studying past
records based on the information obtained from the owners, occupants of the
buildings and general public.
• To get an overview of the existing state of the structure to obtain a reliable
assessment of the available structural capacity.
• To understand the type and the seriousness of the problems affecting the structure
• To determine the feasibility of performing the required repairs and rehabilitation
works.
• To identify the need for detailed investigation
• To plan the necessary site preparations, procurement of the required field-testing
equipment and tools for sampling.
 Review of record:
• The original plans & specifications
• The original design and construction documents like design, drawings,
specifications, structural calculations, and record of modification if any
• A record of materials used in construction-tests reports of the material
• Building inspection records
• Design construction and testing personnel involved
• Service history of building-record of maintenance, repairs, alterations, settlement,
weather record and seismic-activity record.
 Condition survey:
• Condition survey is a qualitative and systematic inspection for making the correct evaluation
of the distressed structure.
• It is rapid visual inspection of the structure which provides a fair idea about the signs of
distress and deterioration, the structural and non-structural deficiencies, irregularities in
building configuration and construction defects.
• Condition survey when carried out as a part of preliminary investigation is just a rapid visual
inspection.
• Limited non-destructive and destructive testing techniques can sometimes be used to confirm
the measurements and observations made during the condition survey.
• This can include non-destructive physical testing such as visual inspection to find cracks and
staining, localization of voids, measurement of the concrete cover around the reinforcement,
measuring the size of cracks, estimate the widths and length of the cracks etc
Things one must look for while carrying out the visual inspection
• Verification of information collected during desk study, i.e., to verify if the on-
site conditions are in conformance to the available designs and drawings.
• Structural framing
• Record of the existing condition of concrete, i.e., note of construction faults
like bug holes, cold joints, honey combing, exposed reinforcement, corrosion
etc.
• Presence of cracking (location, depth, width, nature of cracking, the surface
appearance of the cracks, current state of activity, physical state of concrete
when the cracking occurred)
• Surface appearance of cracks (pattern of cracks, length of cracks, short
cracks or interconnected)
• The surface appearance of concrete (texture, discolouration, staining,
spalling, delamination and erosion)
• Sources of leakage or seepage due to concealed
services, through joints or cracks, inadequate systems of
rain water disposal, improper terrace slope or absence of
rain water pipes, ponding of water and discolouration due
to dampness must be noted.
• Movements of structures in the form of excessive
deflections, heaving or settlement.
• Damage to structural elements & finishes like blistering
membranes and coatings.
Rapid Visual Inspection (RVI):
RVI is carried out to make a through and an accurate inspection of the building. This
kind of inspection is carried out in any of the following situations:
• To carry out the periodic structural inspection of the buildings.
• To have a quick inspection of the structure to determine, if it is unsafe for the
inhabitants in case of severe damage due to fire or natural calamity.
 Condition Survey

Overall building Component

Assessment assessment

 Inspector must look for any  Inspector needs to focus on specific building elements
abnormal deformation or
for presence of any kind of defects or deterioration
deflection
 Check for any leaning of the  properly documented along with sketches showing
building, soil displacement under particular distressed structural member, location,
foundations, load bearing wall or classification and extent of distress, besides the
settlement of the floor. Water
photographic record of defects like cracks, spalls and
leakage, ponding areas, areas of
poor drainage or other other surface defects, honey combing, corrosion of
indications of water problems. reinforcement, loss of c/s, deflections and other
misalignments.
1
5
 Output of preliminary Investigation
• Description of the actual condition of the existing structure including the
location, extent and nature of the deterioration or distress.
• A quality classification of the components or the whole structure and the
repair/rehabilitation option based on condition and degree of damage.
• Is there any need for detailed investigation
Damage classification based on preliminary
investigation
Damage classification is based upon the findings of visual inspection
Rating Damage classification Description Repair strategy

1 Cosmetic No structural distress except for insignificant Redecoration

crazing or spalling of plaster or finishes

2 Superficial surface damage Surface finishes locally damaged. Local spalling of concrete without Superficial Repairs
reinforcement being exposed. No structural cracks observed

3 Structural surface damage Finishes totally damaged, moderate spalling with partly exposed rfm, Minor structural repairs
minor structural cracks observed, bond b/w concrete & steel rfm
intact

4 Structural damage to c/s Spalling of concrete all around the member with the major part of Principal Repairs
rfm exposed, major structural cracks, bond b/w rfm & concrete
locally destroyed due to corrosion leading to reduction in load
carrying capacity, minor distortion
noticeable

5 Structural damage to member Excessive spalling resulting in a major reduction of c/s, almost all Major repair/ Demolition and recasting
rfm exposed, extensive cracking along rfm indicating the bond
failure b/w concrete & rfm noticeable deformation or
distortion, major structural loss necessitating replacement of
members
• Cosmetic repairs: Such repairs are carried out only to
restore the initial appearance of the structure.
• Structural repairs: The minor, principal and major
structural repairs fall under this category. During these
repairs, the distressed sections are either repaired or
replaced to restore the structural integrity of the section.
Such repairs reduce or eliminate the cause of
deterioration.
• Replacement/recasting/demolition: Such repair
practice is resorted to when the assessed damage levels
are found to be extensive which lead to expansive
repairs.
Detailed Investigation:
• Conducted when the pertinent data like the original
construction drawings and design of the structure,
foundation details and structural details are not available.
• When the information furnished by the preliminary
investigation is not conclusive and further investigation is
required to design a repair/retrofitting works.
• May not necessarily be done to document the condition of
the whole building, but only the elements subjected to
investigation in detail based on recommendations of
preliminary investigation.
 Scope and methodology of detailed investigation
• Procure complete documentation of information related to design, construction,
maintenance and the history of the building.
• Assess the structural adequacy by checking the structural plans and calculations
and verifying the same by measuring the dimensions of the elements of the
existing building on site.
• Carry out the tests on the materials used like concrete, steel and masonary with
the help of destructive, semi-destructive and non-destructive test methods in the
field and also laboratory investigation of the samples collected from the field.
• Conduct all the necessary geotechnical investigations to collect data of the soil
profile and its characterization.
• Carry out load tests on parts of the building, if necessary.
 
Non destructive tests, semi- destructive tests are conducted to determine typical
parameters like:

• Verification/identification of current geometry/member size

• Estimation of the in-situ compressive strength of concrete
• Detection of hidden flaws and defects, presence of cracks, voids and other imperfections
• Location and spacing of embedded items like reinforcement profile, measure of cover and bar
diameter, etc.
• Assessing the extent of damage, i.e., corrosion, chemical attack (chlorides, sulphate, alkali
content) and degree of carbonation
• Determining the material properties, i.e., concrete and reinforcing steel properties
• Mapping of the cracks
• Installation of instruments to monitor the changes in structure of concrete over time,
movement of cracks.
 Visual tactile/Sounding method

• This method involves sounding which is simple and effective method to locate
delamination.
• When striking the areas of delamination the sound of the hammer changes from solid
sound (“ping”) to a hollow sound (“pluck”).
• Steel chain is dragged in case of slabs, whereas hammer is used for small areas.

Application: To identify & locate the delamination in concrete

 
Advantage: low cost & time.
 
Limitations: since human perception has limitations, accuracy of judgements is
sometimes questionable.
 Rebound Hammer Test:
• The rebound hammer also called Schmidt hammer

• A swiss hammer is one of the oldest & best known methods for comparing the concrete in
different parts of structure.
• A simple hand held device measures the hardness of concrete surface through a rebound of
a spring loaded mass rebound measured on a graduated scale giving a rebound number.
• Larger the rebound number - harder the surface concrete.
• Most hammers come with a calibration chart relating the compressive strength of concrete
and rebound number.
Factors affecting rebound number readings

• Mix Characteristics- Cement type and content and coarse aggregate content.

• Angle of inclination of hammer

• Member Characteristics- Mass, compaction and surface type
• Age of concrete and Rate of hardening, curing type

• Surface texture
• Concrete mix characteristics

• Carbonated concrete, and

• Moisture content

 
Application: For estimating the uniformity & quality of concrete, monitoring the
strength development, in-situ strength estimation and assessing relative quality of
structural members.

Advantage: It is simple & quick method. A large number of measurements can be

rapidly taken so as to map large exposed areas of concrete.
Limitation: Results are affected by the angle of test, surface smoothness and mix
proportions of concrete. It does not provide a reliable prediction of the strength of
concrete. The possible error may be up to ± 25%.
Ultrasonic pulse Velocity (UPV) test

• Widely used test in evaluation of in-situ concrete.

• Principle - Velocity of an ultrasonic pulse through any
material depends upon the density, modulus of elasticity,
the presence of the reinforcing steel & poision’s ratio of
the material.
• The principle of assessing the quality of concrete is that
values of ultrasonic pulse velocities are found to be higher
when it encounters a dense, homogeneous and uniform
concrete along its path. Lower velocities are obtained in
case of poorer quality.
UPV value km/sec. (V) Concrete quality

Greater than 4.00 Very good

Between 3.50 and 4.00 Good, but porous

Between 3.00 and 3.50 Poor

Between 2.50 and 3.00 Very poor

Between 2.00 and 2.50 Very poor and low integrity

Less than 2.00 No integrity, large voids suspected

• Applications: To determine the homogeneity of concrete, changes in structure of
concrete with time, to assess the extent and severity of cracks in concrete. Precisely
describes the areas of deteriorated and poor quality concrete.
 
• Advantage: Equipment is portable, can be performed quickly and has sufficient power to
penetrate about 11m in good continuous concrete.
 
• Limitations: Does not give the precise strength of concrete. A large number of factors
affect the values of pulse velocity that include surface condition and moisture content,
temperature of concrete, micro-cracks in concrete, age of concrete, presence of steel rfm,
aggregate type, content & size. When the concrete is subjected to abnormally high stress,
pulse velocity value is reduced due to development of micro-cracks.
IDENTIFICATION OF CORROSION PRONE-LOCATIONS BASED
ON UPV AND REBOUND HAMMER READINGS
Sl Test Results Interpretation
No
1 High UPV Values, High Impact Not Corrosion Prone
Hammer Number
2 Medium range UPV values, low Surface delamination, low quality of surface
impact hammer numbers concrete, corrosion prone
3 Low UPV, High impact hammer Not corrosion prone, however to be
numbers confirmed by chemical tests, carbonation,
pH
4 Low UPV values, low impact hammer Corrosion prone-Requires chemical and
numbers electrochemical tests
Windsor Probe test
• Penetration resistance method
• Based on the determination of the depth of the penetration of probes (steel rods or pins)
into the concrete
• Principle - Penetration depth is inversely proportional to the compressive strength of
concrete, but the relation depends on hardness of aggregate.
• Penetration will be effected by the presence of reinforcing bars within the zone of
influence of the penetrating probe. Thus the location of the reinforcing steel should be
determined prior to selecting test locations.
• Manufacturers provide calibration charts of strength versus penetration for the normal
probe for aggregates with hardness between 3 and 7 on Mohrs scale.
• The penetration resistance should be correlated with the compressive strength of a
standard test specimen or core of the actual concrete used.
• Application: Used for estimating the uniformity & quality of concrete. An area of poor
concrete can be easily described by making a series of penetration tests at regular
spaced locations. This method provides excellent means for determination of relative
concrete strength in the same structure or in different structures without extensive
calibration.
• Advantage: Equipment is simple, durable and requires less maintenance and can be
easily used with least training given to inspectors. Can also be used in places where
access is limited.
• Limitation: Does not give reliable results on strength values. Type of aggregates
affects the penetration depth; hence a separate calibration chart needs to be prepared for
each type. This test damage the concrete leaving a hole of about 8 mm in diameter for
the depth of the probe, hence minor cracks of exposed surface becomes necessary.
Damage in the form of cracking may be caused in case of slender members.
Semi-destructive tests for strength estimation of
concrete :– Pull off Test
• Used to determine the tensile strength of concrete by application of the in-situ
concrete by application of direct tensile force, for measuring the bond of surface
repairs.
Procedure –
• A circular steel probe is glued to the concrete with an epoxy resin.
• Before applying the adhesive, the concrete surface is roughened with sandpaper and
then degreased with the help of suitable solvent.
• After the epoxy resin has cured sufficiently, the metal disk is pulled off from the
concrete surface manually or mechanically.
• The tensile strength of the bond being greater, the concrete fails in tension.
• The tensile force required to cause failure is recorded from which the tensile
strength is calculated on the basis of the disk diameter i.e., 50 mm, and this may be
converted to the compressive strength using a calibration chart appropriate to the
concrete.
• Application: Assessment of the bonding strength of all kinds of applied coatings &
repairs.

• Advantage: The test is simple & quick to perform. Damage caused to concrete is
minor and can be repaired easily.

• Limitation: The main limitation is the curing time of the adhesive which is 24 hours.
During testing is adhesive fails because of its inferior quality, then the entire test
result becomes meaningless. Hence, six discs are to be used to determine the
strength.
 Semi-destructive tests for strength estimation of
concrete :– Core Test
• The testing of the cores cut from hardened concrete is quite a well established method used for
analysis of concrete.
• Cores are sometimes sectioned or drilled to provide samples for chemical analysis. Cores are
usually extracted by drilling using a diamond tipped core cutter cooled with water.
• The selection of location of the cores is made after conducting NDT which can give guidance
on the most suitable area of extraction.
• Cutting of cores require special equipment. Most of the cores are either 100 mm or 150 mm in
diameter. If the core size is small in relation to the maximum aggregate size, then care must be
taken during analysis.
• The choice of the core diameter will be influenced by length of the specimen. It is generally
accepted that cores for compression testing should have a length/diameter ratio between 1 and
2.
• The measured compressive strength represents the equivalent strength of the cylinder having a
slenderness ratio of w. Equivalent cube strength is determined by multiplying the corrected
cylinder strength by 5/4.
• Application: The cores confirm the findings of non-destructive tests, and helps in
identifying the presence of deleterious matter in concrete, ascertaining the strength of
concrete for design purpose. Cores can also be used for measurement of density. This
provides a useful indication of compaction and void age.
• Advantage: Cores provide the simplest method of obtaining samples of in-situ
concrete. Chemical analysis can be performed on the remains of crushed core. Visual
inspection of the interior of concrete can prove to be very valuable where no records
of concrete are available.
• Limitations: The main limitation is the cost and inconvenience, damage and
localized nature of the results. The test is possible only if the quality of concrete is
reasonably good in the structure that is tested. If the quality is poor, then core
samples will be vulnerable to damage during coring or testing operation.
 Interpretation and Reporting of NDT Results
• Various non-destructive testing techniques are used to assess the structure’s material
condition and quality as well as in-service durability of the component of structures.
• The information gathered during the investigation and the results of the NDT must be
properly analyzed and tabulated in the specific format.
• The results may also be supplemented with required photographs and laboratory test results.
• The summary of results along with the acceptability criteria must be clearly mentioned.
• The variability of the results and the statistical data if any, must be clearly stated.
• The results of the visual inspection followed by the NDT on the distressed element
can be presented in the form shown in Table.

Sl.No Element/ Location/ Type of the NDT Remarks

Component Identity defect results
observed
Final Report of Detailed Investigation
1.Executive summary: This section must capture all the essential facts related to the
investigation in a clear and concise manner
2. Introduction: The following details must be encapsulated in this section of the
report Purpose and scope of investigation
• Scope of work
• Details of existing construction and documentation Project inputs
• Description of investigation
3.Detailed investigation results: Includes the key findings of the destructive and non-
destructive testing performed during the investigation
4. Evaluation and interpretation of results: Includes the summary of the various test
results
5.Conclusion and findings: Summarize the findings of the visible and non-visible defects,
current rate of deterioration in structure, impact of deterioration on long-term
durability/service life, current condition of the structure and feasibility of rehabilitation.
6.Recommendations and Proposed methodology of repair/rehabilitation:
Action plan, cost estimates, scheduling and determination of constraints and
feasibility of carrying out the proposed methodology of remediation. This section
must clearly recommend the methodology taking into considerations the enlisted
factors:
• Available space and accessibility
• Prioritization of repairs and their sequencing
• Propping of the structural members to relieve a part or full component of the
load acting on the member
• Safety measures to avert any mishap during the remediation work
NDT Summary