IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)

e-ISSN: 2278-1684,p-ISSN: 2320-334X, Volume 12, Issue 3 Ver. I (May. - Jun. 2015), PP 85-89
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Study on Retrofitted R.C.C. Building by Different NDT Methods

Nikhil L. Jagtap1, Prof. P.R. Mehetre2
1

(Final year student of M.E.(Structure),Civil, SND COE & RC, Yeola / SPPU, Pune, Maharashtra, India)
2
(Department of Civil Engineering, SND COE & RC, Yeola / SPPU, Pune, Maharashtra, India)

Abstract : In this project, condition of the existing structure is assessed using NDTS and it is proposed to
extend the structure. The building was designed according to the state of the art over 40 years ago, it did not
meet the present day requirement. The project study deals with strengthening and enhancement of performance
of existing structure by means of Retrofitting, so that structure can perform well when it would be subjected to
additional loads over it. Building is residential community building having G+2 storey. Utility or purpose of
building is for society gatherings. Number of floors proposed to extend are three. The present work deals with
NDT on existing structural elements, determination of load and moment carrying capacity of structural elements
before and after extension, method applied for strengthening of structure and design of the existing structural
elements such as R.C.C. beams and columns according to the load carrying capacity required.
Keywords - Confinement, jacketing, NDT test, strengthening.

I.

Introduction

A R.C.C structure is designed to have a capacity to carry combined loads (dead, live and seismic loads)
at certain safety level and at certain degree of reliability. When this design is finally executed in construction
process, the expected performance of the structural building should come into satisfaction. However, this ideal
condition is not always realized. Almost all the structures are constructed of R.C.C and even though it is a
wonderful construction material, but once set it is very difficult to increase its strength. The performance of
building reduces in terms of safety level, strength or capacity due to the variety of causes or situations such as
deterioration of concrete, unskilled work, alteration of building units, larger loads due to extension of structure
etc. These structures behaves or performs normally during their entire life span but at the end of design period of
structure, the structure may not be capable to take the existing loads and obviously it will not be possible to take
the extra loads on it. This pose a more difficult scenario for a structural engineer than designing and constructing
a new building. Enhancement of the performance of such a deficient buildings can be done by increasing the
strength and the strength of building can be increased by the process of retrofitting. R.C.C Buildings can be
made to undergo three different Rs namely Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting. Repair is partial
improvement of the degraded strength of a building after an earthquake. Rehabilitation is a functional
improvement, wherein the aim is to achieve the original strength of a building after an earthquake. Retrofitting
means structural strengthening and enhancement of performance of deficient structural elements of a building to
a pre-defined performance level whether or not an earthquake has occurred. The performance of a retrofitted
structure is aimed higher than that of original structure. The structural elements are strengthened according to
the load carrying capacity required. Retrofitting of deficient existing building to improve the performance will
be a pathway to assure the future safety of the structure. There are several retrofit techniques for strengthening
the structure and one of the retrofit technique named as jacketing is applied for strengthening proposed existing
structure in this project. In recent years, RCC jacketing is commonly used to increase the seismic strength of a
R.C framed structure, for rehabilitation of structures damaged by an earthquake or for strengthening of an
undamaged structure made necessary by revision on structural design or for taking additional loads.

II.

Jacketing Techniques

Jacketing is one of the most frequently and popularly used technique to strengthen reinforced concrete
structures. It is mostly for strengthening the R.C columns. With this method, axial strength and stiffness of the
original column is increased. Jacketing is a process of fastening durable material over concrete and filling the
gap with grout. Jacketing restores the section of an existing member by encasement in a new concrete. This
technique is applicable for protecting the member against further deterioration as well as for strengthening.
Strengthening of existing structures is needed when a) Load carried by the column is increased due to either
increasing the number of floors or due to mistakes in the design. b) The compressive strength of the concrete or
the percentage and type of the reinforcement is not according to the codes requirement.

DOI: 10.9790/1684-12318589

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Study on Retrofitted R.C.C. Building by Different NDT Methods

2.1 Jacketing of column
Column failures have caused the most significant failures of reinforced concrete structures. To prevent
the column failure mechanism during earthquakes, column should never be the weaker components in the whole
structure. Practical methods available for strengthening existing R.C column include adding concrete jackets,
steel jackets, FRP jackets, external prestressing wires, strands or belts and steel collars.
2.2 RCC jacketing of column
RCC jacketing of column consists of adding concrete with longitudinal and transverse reinforcement
around the existing columns. Additional concrete and reinforcement contributes to the increase in strength.
Reinforced concrete jacketing can be employed as a repair or strengthening scheme. R.C.C jacketing increases
the member size significantly, also increases the members stiffness and is useful where deformations are to be
controlled. Shear and axial load carrying capacity of the structural members can be enhanced by this method.
This method provides better solution for avoiding buckling problem, if the column in building is found to be
slender. The resulting cured member not only strengthens the reinforced concrete member but also acts as an
excellent barrier to the corrosion agents, which are detrimental to concrete and the reinforcement. In addition,
the original function of the building can be maintained, as there are no major changes in the geometry of the
building with this technique.
2.3 Steps in the jacketing process
Adding steel connectors into the existing column in order to fasten the new stirrups and vertical steel bars of
the jacket at spaces not more than 50cm. These connectors are added into the column by making holes 3 4
mm larger than the diameter of the used steel connector and 1015cm depth.
Filling the holes with appropriate epoxy material and inserting the connector into the hole.
The size of the jacket and the number and diameter of the steel bars used in jacketing process depend on the
structural analysis of the column.
Installing the new vertical steel bars and stirrups according to the designed dimensions and diameters.
Coating the existing column with appropriate epoxy material which would guarantee the bond between old
and the new concrete.
Pouring the concrete of the jacket before the epoxy material dries. Concrete used should be of the low
shrinkage consisting of small aggregates, sand, cement and additional materials to prevent shrinkage.

Fig 1. Picture showing column jacketing

III.

Methods Of Ndt Test

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is defined as the determination of the physical condition of an object
without affecting that objects ability. NDT methods have been in use for about 4 decades, and in this period, the
development has taken place to such an extent that it is now considered as a powerful method for evaluating
existing concrete structures with regard to their strength, durability and quality.
Various non-destructive methods of testing concrete have been developed:
1. Surface hardness tests
2. Rebound test
3. Ultrasonic test
4. Penetration and pull out tests
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Study on Retrofitted R.C.C. Building by Different NDT Methods

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Dynamic or vibration tests

Combined methods
Radioactive and nuclear methods
Magnetic and electrical methods
Acoustic emission techniques

The commonly used non-destructive tests are the Rebound hammer tests and Ultrasonic pulse velocity test. So
the methods used in this work are also Schmidt rebound hammer test and ultrasonic pulse velocity test.
3.1 Ultrasonic pulse velocity test
UPV is the important NDT method used for testing concrete. This method has gained considerable
popularity all over the world. This method involves a measurement of travel time over a known path length
pulse of ultrasonic compressional waves. The pulses are generated by use of pulse generator circuit. The pulse
generator circuit consists of electronic circuit for generating pulses and a transducer. The pulses are introduced
into concrete by a piezoelectric transducer and similar transducer acts a receiver to monitor the surface vibration
cause by the arrival of the pulse. A timing circuit is used to to measure the time for the pulse to travel from the
transmitting to receiving transducers. The path length between the transducer divided by time of travel gives the
average velocity of wave. The pulse velocity is determined by the equation.
Pulse Velocity

Path Length
Transit Time

Generally, the higher the pulse velocity, the higher the quality and durability of concrete or lower quality
concrete is by lower velocity.

Fig 2. Ultrasonic pulse velocity instrument.

I.S. 13311-1992 code of practice for Ultra sonic pulse Velocity explains the details of pulse velocity and
condition of concrete.
Table 1. Quality of concrete as per IS 13311(part I) 1992
1
2
3
4

Ultrasonic pulse velocity

(km/sec)
Above 4.5 km/sec
3.5 to 4.5 km/sec
3 to 3.5 km/sec
Below 3 km/sec

Quality of concrete
Excellent
Good
Medium
Doubtful

3.2 Schmidt rebound hammer test

Schmidt rebound hammer developed in 1948 by a Ernst Schmidt a Swiss engineer for testing concrete,
based upon rebound principle when a hammer strikes concrete. The degree of rebound is an indication of
hardness of concrete. It consists of a spring control hammer that slides on a plunger within a tubular housing.
The plunger is extended from the body of the instrument, which causes a catch mechanism to grab hold of the
hammer. The body of the instrument is then pushed towards the concrete surface which stretches the spring
attached to the hammer and body. When pushed to the limit, the catch is released and the hammer is propelled
towards the concrete by combination of gravity and spring forces. After then hammer strikes up to the shoulder
of plunger and it rebounds. The rebound distance travelled by a spring control mass is called the rebound
number and it is measured on a scale which is attached to a rider. This test can be conducted horizontally,
vertically or at any intermediate angle. After knowing rebound number, the calibration chart is used which
shows the relationship between compressive strength and rebound number.
DOI: 10.9790/1684-12318589

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Study on Retrofitted R.C.C. Building by Different NDT Methods

Fig 3. Schmidt rebound hammer instrument

Fig 4. Calibration chart

3.3 Picture showing performance of NDT test

Fig 5. Performance of UPV & Schmidt rebound hammer test

Fig 6. Line plan of R.C.C. building

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Study on Retrofitted R.C.C. Building by Different NDT Methods

IV.

Results

To evaluate concrete condition of R.C.C structure, we have performed Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity test
and rebound hammer tests on various R.C.C members.
Table 2: Schmidt rebound hammer test result
Sr. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Particulars
C-13
C-08
C-02
C-10
C-15
C-17
C-19
C-23
C-39
C-20
C-18
C-16
C-11

Rebound No.
36,32,24, 28,26
30,28,26, 30,28
34,28,32,30,28,26
34,30,26, 28,20
36,32,28,22,22
34,32,30,26,26
32,28,26,22,32
34,30,24,26,22
24,28,34,26,22
28,24,2634,24,32
32,32,30,28,24,26
34,30,28,30,28,24
32,26,32,22,36,20

Average
29.2
28.4
29.6
27.6
28
29.6
28
27.2
26.8
28
28.6
29
28

Compressive Strength in
N/mm2
22.1
20.6
22.2
18.8
20.2
22.4
20.2
18.4
18
20.2
20.8
22
20.2

Based on the NDT results:

As per the Non destructive Tests carried out on existing structure, it is observed that the Ultrasonic Pulse
Velocity Results with direct, semi direct and indirect methods indicates the maximum readings are below
3km/sec and between 3.0 km/sec to 3.5km/sec.
As per the Ultrasonic pulse velocity test (refer to IS 13311 (Part I) 1992 Non Destructive Testing of
concrete methods of test, Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity).It is observed that quality of concrete is medium and
doubtful.
As per Rebound Hammer test (refer to IS 13311 (Part II) 1992 Non- Destructive Testing of concrete methods of test,
Rebound Hammer ) the readings of Rebound Hammer indicates the probable
compressive strength of concrete is M18 TO M22.

V.

Conclusion

The project study deals with strengthening and enhancement of performance of existing structure so
that structure can perform well when subjected to additional loads over it. The present work deals with NDT on
existing structural elements/determination of load and moment carrying capacity of structural elements before
and after extension, method applied for strengthening of structure ,design of the existing structural elements
such as R.C.C beams and columns according to the load carrying capacity required.
This work can be further extended to:
Strengthening of the existing structure with different retrofitting techniques.
Study on the performance of the existing structure after retrofitting.
Study can be done by increasing the additional floors on existing structure and requirement of strengthening
for that.
Study of R.C.C. column may be checked by different NDT methods.

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DOI: 10.9790/1684-12318589

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