Estimation of Nondestructive Compressive Strength of Concrete Using Impact Force Response Signal

Abstract

Abstract This study examined the potential of the impact force response signal induced by impacting an object to estimate the compressive strength of concrete nondestructively. For this study, an automatic impacting device was devised, a system was set up to measure impact force signal, and a program was developed to analyze the obtained signal and estimate the compressive strength. Concrete test specimens were manufactured and tested. Impacts were carried out on the specimens, and the impact force signals were obtained. The signals were analyzed to obtain the total impact force signal energy, and a uniaxial compressive strength test was carried out on each specimen to measure the compressive strength directly. A good relationship was formed between the total impact force signal energy and the uniaxial compressive strength. The strength was estimated from the obtained relationship for new test specimens and compared with the directly measured strength. The comparison indicated that the estimated strength and the measured strength had a close relationship. In addition, a Schmidt hammer test was carried out on the new specimens before the uniaxial compressive test, and the test results were compared with those from the impact force signal energy. The strength estimation using the impact force signal energy had a better result. The study results show that the compressive strength of concrete materials could be estimated nondestructively using the proposed method.