A Study on Non-Destructive Testing of Government Polytechnic Jehanabad Building Using Rebound Hammer

Abstract

In recent years, innovative NDT methods, which can be used for the assessment of existing structures, have become available for concrete structures. The purpose of establishing standard procedures for non-destructive testing (NDT) of concrete structures is to qualify and quantify the material properties of in-situ concrete without intrusively examining the material properties. There are many techniques that are currently being research for the NDT of materials today. This study presents the compressive strength of a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) investigation conducted on the Government Polytechnic Jehanabad building using the Rebound Hammer Test. The primary objective was to assess the surface hardness and estimate the in-situ compressive strength of concrete structural members without causing any physical damage. Concrete compressive strength is one of the most important concrete requirements that can be used to decide if the concrete is structurally acceptable or not. Compressive strength of concrete depends on age of concrete, moisture content, surface carbonation etc. This study provides valuable insights into the current condition of the institution’s structure and highlights the importance of regular NDT assessments.

Introduction

The durability and safety of concrete structures are vital for the long-term serviceability of buildings. Traditional strength testing methods are often destructive and unsuitable for existing structures. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques, like the Rebound Hammer Test, provide a practical way to assess concrete’s surface hardness and estimate compressive strength without damaging the structure.

This study applied the Rebound Hammer Test on various structural elements of the Government Polytechnic Jehanabad building to evaluate the in-situ compressive strength and overall condition of its concrete. The goal was to ensure safety, assess uniformity, detect defects such as cracks or voids, and check reinforcement steel conditions related to corrosion.

The Rebound Hammer, a portable mechanical device developed in the 1950s, works by measuring the rebound of a spring-loaded mass impacting the concrete surface. The rebound value correlates with surface hardness and thus compressive strength, which can be read from a calibration chart. The test is simple, quick, cost-effective, and non-invasive, making it ideal for assessing aging structures.

Multiple readings from different building areas are averaged for accuracy. Concrete quality is classified based on rebound numbers, helping identify areas needing maintenance or repair. This study’s findings provide baseline data for future structural audits and maintenance planning, highlighting the importance and practicality of NDT methods in infrastructure management.

Conclusion

The rebound value of the Column varies between 26 to 43 along the Horizontal direction. The Corresponding to these Rebound Values, Compressive Strength of Concrete Columns varies between 18 MPa to 48 MPa. In this study we found that 8 columns having rebound value greater than 40 which shows very good harden quality concrete and 48 columns having rebound value 31- 40 which shows good quality concrete. However, 11 columns exhibited rebound value between 20 to 30, indicating fair quality of concrete. Based on the results of the non-destructive testing conducted, particularly the Rebound Hammer Test, it can be concluded that the overall condition of the Government Polytechnic Jehanabad building is structurally good. Most of compressive strength values observed fall within the acceptable range as per IS 13311 (Part 2): 1992 standards, indicating that the concrete quality is satisfactory. No major signs of defects or structural distress were observed during the inspection. Therefore, the building is deemed fit for continued occupancy and use. However, periodic inspection and routine maintenance are recommended to ensure long-term durability and safety.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Harsh Kumar, Alok Singh , Aman Raj, Priti Kumari, Kundan Kumar, Er. Digwant kumar Mahto. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.