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Evaluating the Pull-Out Load Capacity of Steel Bolt Using Schmidt Hammer
and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test

Article  in  Structural Engineering & Mechanics · March 2018

DOI: 10.12989/sem.2018.65.5.601

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Structural Engineering and Mechanics, Vol. 65, No. 5 (2018) 601-609
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2018.65.5.601 601

Evaluating the pull-out load capacity of steel bolt using Schmidt hammer
and ultrasonic pulse velocity test
Muhammad Saleem

Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, College of Engineering, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University,
P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

(Received July 29, 2017, Revised December 16, 2017, Accepted January 3, 2018)

Abstract. Steel bolts are used in the construction industry for a large variety of applications that range from fixing permanent
installations to temporary fixtures. In the past much research has been focused on developing destructive testing techniques to
estimate their pull-out load carrying capacity with very little attention to develop non-destructive techniques. In this regards the
presented research work details the combined use of ultrasonic pulse velocity and Schmidt hammer tests to identify anchor bolts
with faculty installation and to estimate their pull-out strength by relating it to the Schmidt hammer rebound value. From
experimentation, it was observed that the load capacity of bolt depends on its embedment length, diameter, bond
quality/concrete strength and alignment. Ultrasonic pulse velocity test is used to judge the quality of bond of embedded anchor
bolt by relating the increase in ultrasonic pulse transit time to the presence of internal pours and cracks in the vicinity of steel
bolt and the surrounding concrete. This information combined with the Schmidt hammer rebound number, R, can be used to
accurately identify defective bolts which resulted in lower pull-out strength. 12 mm diameter bolts with embedment length of
70 mm and 50 mm were investigated using constant strength concrete. Pull-out load capacity versus the Schmidt hammer
rebound number for each embedment length is presented.
Keywords: steel bolt; embedment length; bond quality; non-destructive testing; load carrying capacity; impact loading;
rebound number; ultrasonic pulse velocity test

1. Introduction faulty installation. This new innovation along with studying

the effect of varying the embedment length on the pull-out
Non-destructive testing (NDT) technology has load carrying capacity has led the researcher to develop the
revolutionized the construction industry. NDT is used presented new method that can be reliability used to judge
extensively in the construction industry to evaluate the the pull-out strength of concrete anchor bolts using non-
condition of existing structures and provides engineers with destructive evaluation.
a tool to estimate the strength of materials and components In-addition, the presented manuscript also details the use
without destroying or modifying them. In this regards of ultra-sonic pulse velocity (UPV) test to judge the bond
Saleem et al. 2016 presented a new non-destructive testing quality of concrete anchor bolt by relating the pulse velocity
procedure to evaluate the pull-out load carrying capacity of to the presence of internal cracking. Saleem et al. (2017)
concrete anchor bolts by relating their pull-out strength to recently developed a new application of ultra-sonic pulse
the Schmidt hammer rebound number. The researchers were velocity test by relating the variation in pulse velocity to the
successfully able to identify defects related to anchor bolt bond quality of reinforced concrete beams. The benefit of
installation and were able to accurately estimate the combining the use of Schmidt hammer and ultra-sonic pulse
reduction in pull-out strength owing to the defects using the velocity test is to give researchers/practicing engineers the
proposed non-destructive testing procedure. During ability to accurately identify bolts with improper
experimentation it was observed that the bond strength of installation, which result is lower pull-out strength. By
the bolt was influenced by its diameter, its embedment using the presented non-destructive testing strategy the
length, alignment and the concrete strength. However, in the research team was successfully able to pin-point bolts with
past research work the embedment depth and concrete improper installation which resulted in low pull -out
strength was kept constant and only the variation in the bolt strength. This breakthrough also adds a new dimension to
diameter was investigated. The presented manuscript is an the previously proposed findings. By taking into account
advancement in terms of improvement in reliability and the information provided by UPV test about the bond
accuracy as it combines the use of two non-destructive condition of the embedded anchor bolt along with the
testing techniques instead of one, to provide reliable data rebound number the researchers can effectively identity
that can be used to accurately identify anchor bolts with defects in the installation of anchor bolt. Thereby resulting
in increased efficiency and accuracy of the testing
Corresponding author, Associate Professor procedure. Eligehausen et al. (2008a), (2008b), Guillet et
E-mail: [email protected] & [email protected] al. (2011), Jie et al. (2007), Philipp et al. (2016), Saleem et
al. (2016), (2014), (2010) researched the response of
Copyright © 2018 Techno-Press, Ltd.
http://www.techno-press.com/journals/sem&subpage=7 ISSN: 1225-4568 (Print), 1598-6217 (Online)
602 Muhammad Saleem

Fig. 1 Sample anchor bolt

Fig. 3 Cube specimen depicting the Schmidt hammer and

UPV testing

engineers/researchers the ability to accurately identify

faulty steel bolts using non-destructive testing.
Furthermore, the results provided in the manuscript give
additional validity to claim of relating the Schmidt hammer
rebound number to the steel bolt pull-out strength for
Fig. 2 Concrete samples for testing varying embedment length. Various factors effecting the
pull-out load carrying capacity such as bolt alignment,
presence of internal cracking, air voids, water pockets are
concrete anchors subjected to various types of loading also distinguished by combining the results provided by
under stressed and non-stressed conditions. They also Schmidt hammer rebound number and ultrasonic pulse
investigated the deformational behavior of the anchor bolts velocity. 12 mm Ф steel bolts as shown in Fig. 1 having an
and their design details to refine the dynamic response of embedment length of 50 mm and 70 mm, embedded in
anchor bolts. However, all of the research work is focused normal strength concrete are investigated in the presented
on the destructive evaluation of the anchor bolts without manuscript.
any emphasis on the non-destructive evaluation. Torabi et
al. (2010), Cargill and Shakoor et al. (1990) realized the
potential use of impact energy imparted by the Schmidt 2. Methodology
hammer and utilized it to the correlate the strength of rock
specimens. They also produced quantitative analysis results. Forty 150×150×150 mm cube specimens and six
Similarly, Jen et al. (2009), Katalin et al. (2013), Brozovsky 150×300 cylindrical specimens for compressive strength
and Zach et al. (2011) provided experimental evidence testing were casted as shown in Fig. 2, using ordinary
related to the angle of impact, surface properties of concrete Portland cement (Type-I) with a specific gravity of 3.15 in
and their effect on the rebound number. They also took into accordance with ASTM C150. The chemical composition of
consideration the design parameters of concrete. Mutlib et OPC by weight (%) was as follows: CaO = 64.3, SiO2 = 22,
al. (2016), Mandel et al. (2016) and Umais et al. (2017) Al2O3 = 5.64, Fe2O3 = 3.8, MgO = 2.11, Others = 2.15.
used ultrasonic pulse velocity test to investigate the Desert sand was used as fine aggregate possessing bulk
performance of buildings and bridges. They also specific gravity and water absorption of respectively, 2.66
investigated the effect of rapid-hardening cement, aggregate and 0.60%. The water-cement ratio of 0.41 with water
type, its size, influence of age of concrete, its workability content was 120; cement 290 kg/m3, air entrainment 4.2%;
and found that UPV test is a useful tool to investigate the sand and gravel 828 and 1043 kg/m 3 , respectively.
properties of concrete in a non-destructive manner. Limestone course aggregate with a maximum size of 19
Similarly, Qasrawi et al. (2013) and Zongping et al. (2014) mm was used and it was graded in accordance with ASTM
investigated the effects of additives such as GGBFS, C33, having a bulk specific gravity and water absorption of
chloride intrusions on the response of ultrasonic pulse 2.45 and 2.05%, respectively. The slump was 100 + 25 mm,
velocity. Saleem et al. (2017), (2010) used ultrasonic pulse curing was done in the temperature-controlled water tank
velocity test to investigate the bond of concrete elements and the average 28 days compressive strength was 34.1
and found that ultrasonic pulse velocity can be related to the MPa. Pre-construction installed steel anchor bolt with
presence of internal cracking at the interface of concrete varying embedment length were studied in the presented
and embedded steel. research work as shown in the Fig. 1. The total length, LT,
Keeping in mind the past mentioned research the main of the anchor bolt was 150 mm. Embedment length, Ld, of
objective of the presented research work is to combine the 50 mm and 70 mm along with exposed length, Le, 100 mm
UPV test with the Schmidt hammer rebound value to give and 80 mm respectively. Anchor bolt was centered in the
 Evaluating the pull-out load capacity of steel bolt using Schmidt hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity test 603

Fig. 4 Pull-out testing setup

middle of the cube mold with the help of guide wires. The
embedment depth was also maintained using the guide wire
mechanism. Fig. 3 shows the prepared sample after curing.
Five rebound readings of Schmidt hammer were recorded
on bottom the anchor bolt, average value of these readings
were used for analysis. During the reading recording
procedure, care was taken to vertically align the bottom of
anchor bolt to the tip of Schmidt hammer, the verticality
was ensured through visual inspection. Through past
experiment, Saleem et al. 2016, noticed that the verticality Fig. 5 Flow chart of research methodology and effective test
of the anchor bolt plays a crucial role in its load carrying setup
capacity. Anchor bolts with ill-alignment greater than 15o
were not suitable for rebound testing as the tip of the
rebound hammer would slip owing to large ill-alignment. removed in order to avoid any interference with the
However, in the presented experimental evidence much care ultrasonic pulse velocity testing. UPV readings were
was exercised to avoid this error and the reported reading recorded in accordance with ASTM C597 (2003). The
are free from large ill-alignment effects. The reported ill- sample dimension, aggregate size, size of anchor bolt,
alignment was measured using image analysis technique frequency, concrete moisture condition, temperature and the
where the image of ill-aligned anchor bolt was presence of anchor bolt perpendicular to the pulse
superimposed on the straight anchor bolt and the ill- propagation path were all taken into consideration in
alignment was recorded in degrees accordance with BS 1881 (1986); RILEM (1972) and Tarun
Fig. 4 presents the pull-out test setup. The author et al. 2009. Furthermore, the transducer and receiver were
invested a new anchor cage (US Patent Pending) as shown firmly placed on the opposite ends of the cube as shown in
in the Fig. 4 that can be employed to conduct pull-out Fig. 3; and petroleum jelly was used to ensure proper
strength testing with the help of universal testing machine coupling between the transducer and the cube specimen.
(UTM). The cube specimens were inserted in the anchor The wave velocity was calculated by dividing the fastest
cage and whole assembly was fixed in the UTM. This test time in microsecond (μs), taken by the ultrasonic wave to
setup is not only economical as it eradicates the need of a travel through the 150 mm width of the specimen. 54 kHz
separate pull-out testing device but it also has the added frequency with the wavelength of 68 mm in was chosen for
benefit that the pull-out load versus displacement plots can the normal strength concrete with the maximum aggregate
be obtained from the UTM directly further eradicating the size of 19 mm, in accordance with BS 1881 (1986) and
need of complex data recording setup, LVDTs and RILEM (1972). Prior to testing it was ensured that the UPV
measuring gauges. Thereby, leading to a simple, efficient testing equipment is calibrated and their exist no air pocket
Fig. 5 presents the flow chart of research methodology. between the transducer and the concrete cube. Three
Initially trial batches were casted to finalize the mix design, reading locations were chosen along the embedment depth
afterwards anchor bolts were installed inempty concrete of anchor bolt. Furthermore, three readings were recorded
cubes prior to concrete casting. The embedment depth and at each location. The shortest transit time corresponding to
the bolt alignment was adjusted using guide wires. After the fastest wave travel time is reported in the presented
curing the samples were demolded and guide wires were manuscript. The reason behind reporting the fastest wave
604 Muhammad Saleem

Fig. 6 Conceptual diagram of crack propagation around the

embedded anchor bolt Fig. 8 Crack along the anchor bolt embedment length

Fig. 9 Cracking on top of the anchor bolt

Fig. 7 Schematic diagram showing anchor bolt installation

and cracking pattern was exercised in compacting the concrete layers. It was
noticed during experimentation that concrete samples with
poor quality concrete displayed longer transit time for
travel time is based on the rational that since the wave ultrasonic pulse to travel through the concrete cube. A set of
velocity is affected by proper coupling which is ensured by five readings were recorded on the top of each anchor bolt
pressure exerted by the operator. Hence, the fastest travel as shown in Fig. 3. The energy imparted by the Schmidt
time would correspond to the reading which resulted owing hammer is transferred to the concrete surrounding the
to perfect coupling, thereby minimizing human error and anchor bolt. The bolt which had a strong bond was
increasing the reliability of the presented readings. All the successfully able to transfer the impact energy to the
factors affecting the bond performance of the embedded surrounding concrete, resulting in a higher rebound number.
anchor bolt were taken into consideration and much effort Whereas the bolt with porous bond was unable to transfer
was exercised in producing a consistent quality of concrete the impact energy and resulted in cracking in the concrete
in order to ensure uniformity in the bond quality along the surrounding the steel anchor bolt, this lead to a lower
embedment length of anchor bolt. Correction factor of 0.98 rebound number. The presence of internal cracking was
related to the presence of 12 mm Ф diameter anchor bolt successfully detected through the use of ultrasonic pulse
present perpendicular to the propagation path of ultrasonic velocity test. Fig. 6 shows the conceptual schematic
pulse was applied to all the reported readings in the diagram depicting the internal cracking at the concrete steel
presented manuscript. Furthermore, all the UPV testing was interface. The velocity of ultrasonic wave is faster in the
conducted on air dried samples after 28 days of curing and perfect bond specimens while the specimens with lower
attention was paid to the strength and shape of the received bond quality resulted in slower transit time for the same
waveform and only sinusoidal shape waveforms were path length. The combination of rebound number with UPV
recorded. test allowed the researchers to successfully identify anchor
bolts with poor bond thereby resulting in lower pull-out
load carrying capacity.
3. Factors affecting bond and pull-out strength Fig. 7 depicts the conceptual diagram of internal stress
distribution along with the cracking pattern. Traditional
Casting of the concrete samples was conducted in three pull-out tests lead to a cone type of failure however, owing
layers of equal thickness and tampering rod was used to to the reaction provided by the test setup, as shown in Fig.
compact the concrete. 25 evenly distributed blows were 4, anchor bolt experienced radial stress distribution
imparted in each layer and the concrete surface was leveled resulting in circumferential crack propagation. A similar
using a trowel. Since the bond quality of anchor bolt plays a cracking pattern was observed during experimentation as
crucial role on its overall load carrying capacity, much care shown in Figs. 8 and 9 depicting a strong co-relation
 Evaluating the pull-out load capacity of steel bolt using Schmidt hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity test 605

between the conceptual theory and practical Table 1 Pull-out Strength & Rebound Readings for 12 mm
experimentation. The bond between the steel bolt and the Ф Bolt with Embedment Length of 50 mm
surrounding concrete can be categorized into two main Rebound Value (R) Pull-
classes. Namely, mechanical bond resulting from the Bolt No. Avg. (R)
Str. (KN)
Com.
1 2 3 4 5
interlocking between the bolt grooves and the surrounding
concrete. The second category of the bond is referred as the 1 60 61 58 58 66 60.6 34.45
frictional bond that occurs between the bolt and the cracked 2 52 66 49 64 65 59.2 30.54
concrete surrounding the bolt. Upon initial loading, the 3 52 60 52 63 56 56.6 32.30 ** IL
mechanical bond is dominant and is responsible for the load
4 42 50 50 44 44 46.0 27.60 ** IL
carrying capacity, however, as the loading increases beyond
the fracture strength, the micro-cracks develop at the steel 5 58 58 62 52 62 58.4 32.89
concrete interface. Upon further increase in loading these 6 52 54 55 58 61 56.0 31.47 ** IL
cracks bridge together to form large propagating vertical 7 46 56 52 52 50 51.2 30.67
cracks as shown in Fig. 8, where the frictional bond is
8 60 50 58 56 52 55.2 32.28 ** IL
dominant. This process continues till the vertical cracks
traverse the entire embedment length of the steel bolt. At 9 54 58 58 60 56 57.2 33.82

this point in the loading all the mechanical bond along the 10 59 54 57 58 54 56.4 33.48
length embedment length of the steel bolt has shifted from 11 60 50 63 49 64 57.2 38.55
mechanical to frictional bond and afterwards the pull-out
12 62 64 62 62 65 63.0 36.05
process is initiated, where upon further increase in loading
13 58 50 54 58 50 54.0 31.88
the bolt is pulled out of the embedded concrete. At this
stage the radial cracks appear as shown in Fig. 9. The 14 60 63 65 65 66 63.8 37.44
reason behind the delay in occurrence of radial cracking is 15 60 66 62 58 56 60.4 35.40 ** IL
the fact that the vertical cracks move from bottom of the 16 58 50 62 53 52 55.0 35.15
anchor bolt towards the top. Finally, these vertical cracks
17 65 43 60 56 68 58.4 36.97
result in the crushing of concrete leading to the eventual
pull-out of the embedded anchor bolt as shown in Fig. 8 and 18 58 61 60 61 58 59.6 34.50 ** IL
9. 19 58 52 54 56 52 54.4 33.31

20 63 56 57 60 49 57.0 32.89

4. Results and discussion ** IL - Non-vertical anchor bolts with ill-alignment less

than 10o and porous quality of bond between concrete and
Table 1 presents the values of Schmidt hammer rebound bolt
number corresponding to the pull-out load strength. Table 2
presents the time taken by the ultrasonic pulse to travel 150
mm width of the cube specimen. The presented reading has noticed that cube specimens number 3, 4, 6, 8, 15 and 18
been adjusted for correction factor related to a single steel depict higher ultrasonic wave transit time. Furthermore, the
bar embedded perpendicular to the path of wave analysis of data presented in Table 1 shows that these
propagation in a good quality concrete with the maximum specimens also depict a large variation in rebound value.
aggregate size of 19 mm. This correction factor was applied One important observation during the experimentation was
in accordance with BS 1881 and RILEM 1972 owing to the that the UPV reading close to the surface of the cube results
variation in ultrasonic pulse propagation speed though in the slowest time. This phenomenon can be attributed by
concrete and steel. Through the combined analysis of data improper compaction of the surface layer of concrete since
presented in Tables 1 and 2, the researchers are able to majority of water and air bubbles are present near the
identify the anchor bolts with poor quality of bond. As concrete surface. Further analysis of the presented data
mentioned in the previous section the anchor bolts with reveals that anchor bolts which show a slower wave
good quality of bond depict a higher rebound number as propagation correspond also the lower Schmidt hammer
they are successfully able to transfer the impact energy to rebound number. These two set of indicators can be used to
the surrounding concrete. Furthermore, these anchor bolts identify anchor bolts with lower pull-out load carrying
depict a lower pulse velocity transit time resulting in a capacity.
faster ultrasonic pulse velocity. On the contrary the anchor Fig. 11 shows the pull-out strength versus the Schmidt
bolts with porous bond depict lower rebound number with hammer rebound number. From the presented result it can
larger variation among individual rebound readings and be seen at the Schmidt hammer rebound number, R,
longer transit time resulting in a slower ultrasonic pulse increases the pull-out loading carrying capacity, P, also
transit velocity. increases. However, there exists a clear range starting from
Fig. 10 presents the variation in ultrasonic pulse velocity 50 to the peak value near 65. The bolts situated at the lower
along the depth of the 12 mm Ф diameter anchor bolt with spectrum represent the bolts with slight ill-alignment. The
50 mm embedment length. The data presented in the figure analysis of the presented data also reveals that the faculty
is for three location along the depth of the anchor bolts, bolts depict a much lower pull-out strength and hence were
where each location represents the average of three ignored in the presented data of Fig. 11. Thus, in light of the
readings. From the analysis of the presented result is was above-mentioned discussion it can concluded that it is to
606 Muhammad Saleem

Table 2 Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Readings for 12 mm Ф

Bolt with Embedment Length of 50 mm & 70 mm
50 mm 70 mm
Bolt No. Avg. Time Avg. Time
Avg. Vel. (m/s) Co. Avg. Vel. (m/s) Co.
(μs) (μs)
1 31.32 4788.89 30.24 4960.11

2 30.89 4855.78 31.07 4828.33

3 31.63 4741.78 ** 30.90 4854.78

4 31.79 4718.33 ** 30.81 4868.56 **

5 31.39 4778.44 30.61 4900.22

6 31.80 4716.98 ** 30.53 4912.44

7 31.39 4779.33 30.93 4848.89

Fig. 11 Pull-out load versus rebound number relationship
for 12 mm Ф anchor bolt with embedment length of 50 mm
8 31.73 4727.00 ** 31.01 4837.78

9 31.40 4777.67 30.90 4854.00 Table 3 Pull-out Strength & Rebound Readings for 12 mm
10 31.53 4756.89 31.00 4838.89 Ф Bolt with Embedment Length of 70 mm
11 30.97 4843.56 31.10 4824.00 ** Rebound Value (R) Pull-
Bolt No. Avg. (R) Com.
12 31.41 4775.22 30.64 4896.11 ** 1 2 3 4 5 Str. (KN)

13 31.50 4761.90 31.32 4788.00 1 44 56 60 58 62 56.0 47.97

14 31.49 4764.00 30.90 4856.67 ** 2 55 62 62 60 60 59.8 49.87
15 31.74 4725.89 ** 31.09 4826.44 ** 3 58 60 58 63 48 57.4 51.66
16 31.39 4779.22 30.69 4887.78 4 42 40 50 60 62 50.8 45.12 ** IL
17 31.32 4790.22 30.76 4877.11 5 53 60 64 66 61 60.8 50.34
18 31.70 4732.44 ** 30.50 4917.89 6 52 65 65 64 63 61.8 51.94
19 31.31 4790.44 30.73 4880.67 ** 7 58 64 55 61 60 59.6 49.07
20 30.88 4858.56 30.77 4875.44 ** 8 55 60 58 60 59 58.4 50.83

** Slower ultrasonic pulse velocity transit time result in 9 57 62 64 62 67 62.4 52.85

lower pulse transit time 10 55 62 62 64 64 61.4 49.86

11 60 52 58 63 65 59.6 58.64 ** IL

12 62 62 62 58 62 61.2 46.50 ** IL

13 55 58 60 58 60 58.2 49.72

14 60 65 66 65 68 64.8 45.63 ** IL

15 58 63 64 65 65 63.0 39.92 ** IL

16 60 60 62 59 64 61.0 49.67

17 58 58 62 62 54 58.8 50.92

18 54 63 67 66 65 63.0 52.76

19 62 64 62 58 66 62.4 47.97 ** IL

20 54 61 64 66 63 61.6 44.81 ** IL

** IL - Non-vertical anchor bolts with ill-alignment less

Fig. 10 Variation in ultrasonic pulse velocity along the than 10o and porous quality of bond between concrete and
embedment depth of anchor bolt for 12 mm Ф anchor bolt bolt
with embedment length of 50 mm

anchor bolts.
possible to identify anchor bolts with lower pull-out load From the analysis of results presented in the Table 3 and
carrying capacity by combining the UPV test readings with 2 the researcher was successfully able to identify seven
the Schmidt hammer rebound number. Furthermore, faulty anchor bolts which resulted in lower pull-out load
Schmidt hammer rebound number, R of 52 can be treated as carrying capacity. The methodology involved in identifying
cutoff number below which anchor bolts with 12 mm Ф faulty anchor bolts is based on the rational, as presented in
having an embedment length of 50 mm cannot be relied Fig. 6, that UPV velocity is faster in the solid medium as
upon for large load carrying capacity. Table 3 presents the compared to a porous medium, furthermore the ultrasonic
result of Schmidt hammer rebound testing for 12 mm Ф pulse travels faster through the steel anchor bolt as
bolt with a 70 mm embedment length. Table 2 presents the compared to the concrete. Thus, by testing the ultrasonic
results of ultrasonic pulse velocity testing for the same pulse transit time perpendicular to the anchor bolt
 Evaluating the pull-out load capacity of steel bolt using Schmidt hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity test 607

Fig. 12 Variation in ultrasonic pulse velocity along the Fig. 14 Average pull-out load versus rebound number
embedment depth of anchor bolt for 12 mm Ф anchor bolt comparison for 12 mm Ф anchor bolt
with embedment length of 70 mm

Fig. 15 Combined pull-out load carrying capacity versus

Fig. 13 Pull-out load versus rebound number relationship Schmidt hammer rebound number
for 12 mm Ф anchor bolt with embedment length of 70 mm

rebound number. It can be seen that for the abovementioned

embedment length the researcher can identify bond quality anchor bolts there exists a large variation in the Schmidt
of anchor bolt. Since the anchor bolts with good bond hammer rebound number. This acts as a verification of the
quality exhibit faster wave transmit time as compared to findings of UPV testing. From Fig. 13 it can be seen that
anchor bolts with porous bond the researcher can use this there exists a clear cut-off rebound number, R of 55, for
data to pinpoint anchor bolts with poor bond quality. It is which a minimum of 47 KN pull-out strength can be
known from past published research (Saleem et al. 2016) achieved. Hence, it can be said that rebound number of 55
that anchor bolts with lower pull-out load carrying capacity can be treated as a cut-off below which bolts with 12 mm Ф
exhibit lower rebound number, the reasoning behind this bolt having an embedment length of 70 mm cannot be
phenomenon is as explained in the previous section. relied upon for large load carrying capacity. Fig. 14 presents
Thereby relating the UPV test results to the lower average the results of average pull-out strength and average rebound
Schmidt hammer rebound number the researchers were number. From the result it can be seen that although the
successfully able to pin-point faulty anchor bolts. average rebound number R is almost the same for anchor
Fig. 12 presents the UPV testing result for anchor bolts bolt with 50 mm and 70 mm embedment length. The
with 70 mm embedment depth. Three reading spots were corresponding pull-out load carrying capacity for 70 mm
selected along the embedment depth as shown in the Fig. 3 embedment length anchor bolts is 29.9% higher than the 50
and three readings were taken at each location. The Fig. 12 mm embedment length. Hence, it can be concluded that for
presents average of three readings. It can be seen from the the same anchor bolt diameter, the pull-out strength for the
presented result that bolt number 4, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19 and larger embedment length is greater than the pull-out
20 all have the UPV readings above the mean average strength for the smaller embedment length.
value. This indicates that the bond quality for these bolt Fig. 15 presents the combined pull-out load carrying
elements is porous since the ultrasonic pulse wave takes a capacity versus the Schmidt hammer rebound number.
longer time to transit the same path length. For several bolt From the presented result it can be seen that their exist a
elements the UPV readings near the surface are slower, this clear range of rebound number for 50 mm embedment
erroneous reading can be explained by the presence of air length and 70 mm embedment length. Anchor bolts with ill-
bubbles near the surface layer, which is responsible for alignment, porous bond, improper embedment depth can be
delay in transit time of ultrasonic pulse. Table 3 depicts the identified using the rebound number as they depict a
pull-out load carrying capacity versus the Schmidt hammer rebound number below the specified cut-off value.
608 Muhammad Saleem

Furthermore, as the embedment depth increases the load Research (DSR) at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal
carrying capacity increases. In-addition the UPV test acts as University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the financial
a confirmation tool to identify anchor bolts with poor support. The publication is part of the project funded by the
installation. DSR under the project ID 2016-244-Eng.

5. Conclusions References

An experimental investigation detailing the use of ASTM Test Designation C 597-02 (2003), Standard Test Method
ultrasonic pulse velocity test and Schmidt hammer rebound for Pulse Velocity through Concrete, Annual Book of ASTM
test to identify anchor bolts with poor bond quality and Standards, West Conshohocken, PA, U.S.A.
reduced pull-out load carrying capacity is presented. From BS 1881, Part 203 (1986), Recommendations for Measurement of
Velocity of Ultrasonic Pulses in Concrete, British Standards
the presented results and discussion, the following Institution, London, U.K.
conclusions can be derived as detailed below; Brozovsky, J. and Zach, J. (2011), “Influence of surface
1. Ultrasonic pulse velocity test combined with Schmidt preparation method on the concrete rebound number obtained
hammer test can be used to successfully identify faulty from impact hammer test, Proceedings of the 5th Pan American
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tension and shear cycling loads”, ACI Struct. J., 108(3), 315-
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and 55 for 47 KN pullout strength can be treated as a cut-off in cracked concrete under tension cycling at near-ultimate
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of 50 mm and 70 mm, respectively. Anchor bolts which Li, J., Gao, X. and Zhang, P. (2007), “Experimental Investigation
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The author is grateful to the Deanship of Scientific
 Evaluating the pull-out load capacity of steel bolt using Schmidt hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity test 609

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PL

Abbreviation

R Schmidt Hammer Rebound Number

P Pull-out Load Carrying Capacity

IL ill-aligned Anchor Bolt

Ld Embedment Length

Le Exposed Length

LT Total Length of Anchor Bolt

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