New NDE technologies for evaluating reinforced concrete masonry
Researchers at the Waterways' Experiment Station (WES) have demonstrated that two new nondestructive evaluation technologies show promise in making a more accurate diagnosis of the structural condition of concrete masonry walls than prior technologies. Traditionally, sounding with a hammer has been used to determine the presence and quality of the grout fill around the reinforcing bars in concrete masonry units (CMU's). First, WES has developed a new grout detection system, which senses the reverberating energy in the CMU's with a microphone. This energy is introduced into the CMU by using a pistol to fire a metal BB against the face of the block. A microphone and spectrum analyzer replaces the function of the human ear to distinguish different pitches of sound through sounding. Since a technician is more likely to get consistent results with the new system, it is not as subjective as sounding. Next, WES has evaluated the new digital steel detectors. A reinforced concrete masonry structure can contain many combinations of steel: vertical bars, horizontal bars, size of bar, number of bars, splices, etc. Digital steel detectors with microprocessors have the potential to provide much more information than traditional analog types.
- Research Organization:
- Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20003790
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Symposium on Masonry: Materials, Testing, and Applications, Nashville, TN (US), 12/08/1998; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Masonry: Materials, testing, and applications. ASTM special technical publication 1356, by Brisch, J.H.; Nelson, R.L.; Francis, H.L. [eds.], 169 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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