Bengin A Herki, Jamal Khatib , Zina Ramadhan, Banaz Hamadameen

CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING CONCRETE STRUCTURES USING NDTs – CASE STUDY

Introduction

Condition assessment of building concrete structures using ndts – case study. Assess old building concrete structures using NDT methods like rebound hammer & ultrasonic pulse velocity. Evaluate deterioration, guide repair/demolition decisions, and extend service life. Reliable tools for fire-damaged concrete.

Abstract

The quality of concrete and serviceability for three old buildings utilizing non-destructive testing (NDT) method of rebound hammer (RH) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) was assessed in the present study. Identification, classification and evaluation of in-situ concrete have helped us to decide whether these three buildings need to be repaired and in result extent their service life or it is not acceptable for its intended usage and they need to be demolished. To evaluate the level of deterioration in historical and fire-damaged buildings or infrastructures, non-destructive testing (NDT) methods can be used. In fact, NDT method employs inspection techniques to evaluate engineering properties to see if it is acceptable for its intended usage that does not need specimens to be crushed like the destructive testing method. The NDT method of rebound hammer (RH) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) in combination with conventional methods such as internal and external visual inspection and concrete color change to locate deterioration was used to evaluate the quality of concrete structures for three old buildings. According to the results obtained the RH and UPV can be used as reliable tools to predict the mechanical properties of concrete structures subjected to fire and/or weathering deterioration. In addition, combining the two NDTs decreased inaccuracies caused by utilizing one method alone to evaluate concrete quality.

Review

This study presents a timely and relevant application of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for the condition assessment of existing concrete structures. The case study approach, involving three old buildings, effectively demonstrates the practical utility of combining the rebound hammer (RH) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) techniques. The clear objective—to inform critical decisions regarding repair, demolition, or service life extension—addresses a significant challenge in managing aging infrastructure. The emphasis on utilizing multiple NDTs to enhance accuracy is a sound methodological choice, acknowledging the inherent limitations of individual assessment tools. The methodology described integrates RH and UPV with visual inspection and concrete color change, making it a comprehensive initial assessment strategy. The abstract effectively conveys the applicability of these NDT methods for evaluating deterioration due to various factors, including fire damage and weathering. However, while the abstract asserts that RH and UPV are reliable tools for predicting mechanical properties, it does not provide specifics on how this reliability was established or validated against actual concrete strengths, for example, through correlation with core samples or established material properties. Further detail on the quantification of "inaccuracies" caused by single methods and how their combination specifically mitigates them would greatly enhance the abstract's scientific rigor. In conclusion, this work offers promising insights into the practical application of NDTs for structural health monitoring and decision-making in real-world scenarios. The findings suggest that a combined NDT approach can be a valuable asset for engineers evaluating the integrity of concrete structures. For a full paper, it would be beneficial to expand upon the experimental details, present quantitative results for each case study, thoroughly discuss the correlation coefficients or statistical significance of the NDT readings, and address any limitations encountered. A detailed economic analysis tied to the NDT outcomes for repair versus demolition decisions would further strengthen the practical contribution of this research.

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