Multi-objective optimization to evaluate the compressive strength of concrete by combining non-destructive techniques

Abstract

The compressive strength of concrete is one of the most important mechanical parameters in the evaluation of the mechanical performance of reinforced concrete structures. The recent methodology for the evaluation of the mechanical strength of concrete of an existing structure combines non-destructive testing (NDT) measurements, such as rebound measurement and ultrasonic wave propagation velocity measurement, with destructive measurements (sampling) in order to develop a conversion model, between mechanical strength and non-destructive measurements. The conversion model is then used to estimate the local value of the resistance at each location of the non-destructive measurements and thus to represent the spatial variability. The goal of this study is to propose a new methodology based on multi-objective optimization to predict the compressive strength of concrete and its variability based on NDT measurements. To this end, a large experimental and synthetic database of destructive and non-destructive tests was used. The conclusions drawn from the synthetic data will be compared with the results obtained on the real database in order to test the potential of the proposed methodology. This study shows the principle of the methodology and the first results of its effectiveness in predicting compressive strength and its variability.