Structural O

wners and designers may find them-

selves confronted with the task of
deciding what to do with an exist-

Testing
ing masonry building, particularly if
there will be a change of use or modifications to
the structural system. Part of that decision should
include determination of whether the structural
system is adequate in its current condition for
issues and advances related
the building’s intended use, whether minor or
to structural testing extensive repair and retrofit measures are required,
or whether the building has deteriorated to a state
that it is beyond its usable life. Nondestructive
and minimally invasive diagnostic techniques play Figure 1: Using a fiber optic borescope inserted into a
a vital role in determining properties of existing drilled hole in a mortar joint to view the inside of a
masonry construction without causing excessive concrete masonry lintel.
disturbance or disruption to the building fabric. ®

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This article discusses the different methods avail- on connections to the structural system, mois-
able for identifying masonry distress conditions ture management, and energy issues rather than

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and evaluating engineering properties such as strength properties.
strength and stiffness.

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Material Voids and Reinforcing

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Properties
Evaluating Existing When investigating how solidly an existing
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The masonry material masonry wall was built, simply tapping with a
Masonry Construction i
properties needed by then sounding hammer may be sufficient to determine

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engineer will ultimately if CMU cells are grouted or empty. For smaller

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depend on the role of voids and cracks in thicker, multi-wythe walls,

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masonry in the overall structural system, but more sophisticated techniques and equipment
Nondestructive and
In -Situ Methods a
may include compressive strength, shear strength, may be needed. Ultrasonic methods, such as pulse

By Andrew Geister, P.E.

m
presence and extent of voids, existence and condi-
tion of reinforcing, and even moisture resistance.
The use of destructive techniques may be unde-
velocity which measures the transit time of stress
waves between transducers, or impact-echo which
measures the stress wave reflections from discon-
sirable due to the cost, damage and potential tinuities in the structure, are both good tools for
structural instability resulting from creating large assessing the extent of internal cracks and voids.
openings or removal of several material samples. These types of irregularities can also be observed
Fortunately, many nondestructive and in-situ visually through the use of a fiber optic borescope
methods exist, several of which have standard- inserted into an existing opening or small diam-
ized procedures to determine necessary material eter drilled hole within a mortar joint (Figures 1
Andrew Geister, P.E. has been
properties without causing undue damage to and 2). This method is also useful in cavity wall
involved in masonry nondestructive,
the structure. construction for observing veneer ties or excess
in-situ, and laboratory material
The keys to establishing a successful masonry mortar inside the wall cavity. Somewhat larger
testing while working for Atkinson-
testing program include determining which scale voids can be detected through the use of
Noland & Associates, Inc. in
material properties are critical to the building’s Surface Penetrating Radar (SPR) which locates
Boulder, Colorado. He is also a
intended use, as well as selecting an appropriate material differences indicated by reflected micro-
member of The Masonry Society’s
number of tests and test locations. For reinforced wave energy, and Infrared Thermography (IRT)
Existing Masonry Committee
masonry, quantifying the presence of voids in
and Design Practices Committee.
grout, and location of reinforcing are likely to
Andrew can be reached at
be some of the most important properties. For
[email protected].
unreinforced masonry, particularly in historic
construction, determination of compressive
strength, elastic modulus, and shear strength is
especially important in order to take advantage
of these inherent material properties in design.
In situations where variable construction or
workmanship are encountered or suspected, addi-
tional testing can also help determine appropriate
design values for different construction phases or
parts of the building. For nonstructural masonry
such as veneers, the focus will more likely be Figure 2: Borescope view of voided grout space around a
reinforcing bar.

34 March 2013
 throughout the structure. Half-cell testing, thin hydraulic bladders inserted into slots
however, has been used successfully to deter- cut in masonry bed joints, and pressurized
mine the potential for metal corrosion in to perform an in-situ compressive strength
reinforced masonry at locations that are elec- test while monitoring the surface strain of
trically connected to the exposed bar, such as the masonry between Flatjacks to generate a
along a single vertical reinforced cell or along stress-strain curve (Figure 3). Although this
a bond beam. method requires sawcutting two slots in the
mortar joints to insert the Flatjacks, it is much
Masonry Strength and Stiffness
less destructive than the removal of masonry
An estimate of masonry compressive strength prisms, which may be damaged during sam-
and elastic modulus is determined through pling or transport.
the use of Flatjacks following the standard If the current stress state of the masonry
test method of ASTM C1197. Flatjacks are is desired at a particular location, the single

Figure 3: Masonry deformability test by

the Flatjack method to estimate masonry

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compressive strength and elastic modulus. t
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Both Flatjacks are pressurized while y
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monitoring surface strain to generate an in-

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place stress-strain curve.

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which is capable of detecting temperature

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differences between the solid masonry

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materials and voided air spaces.
The existence of metal reinforcing bars,
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steel sections, or even pipes and conduit
may be detected using SPR, relying on the a
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highly reflective nature of metal objects
to the transmitted radar energy. Other
types of metal-detection devices such as
a pachometer are also useful for locating
veneer ties, joint reinforcing, and rein-
forcing bars that are located near the wall
surface. Once the reinforcing is located,
information about its size or quality may
be desired. If a small opening exists or can
be made to expose a portion of the metal
reinforcing, its thickness can be measured
using an ultrasonic thickness gauge with-
out having to uncover the entire bar to
take a physical measurement. The device
transmits a sound signal into the exposed

Star Seismic BRBs

surface of the metal, and measures the
amount of time required for the sound to
travel through the material and its echo to
reflect back to the surface. Half-cell test-
ing measures the potential for corrosion land bigger projects
of metal reinforcing by first connecting a
wire from the device to a small exposed It’s no fish story. Contact Star Seismic to see how
portion of reinforcing, and then surface we can help you land your next trophy project.
measurements are made throughout the
structure. This method has been used
more commonly in reinforced concrete
structures containing mats of reinforcing Call: 435.940.9222
bars that are in contact or close proxim- www.starseismic.net
ity with one another, and thus has been
able to provide good electrical continuity

STRUCTURE magazine 35 March 2013

 deterioration can occur more quickly if
masonry remains saturated. Keep in mind,
when investigating masonry moisture issues,
that both the source of the moisture and the
water penetration properties of the masonry
are important. When weather conditions
permit, IRT is useful for locating moisture
paths and damp areas (Figure 4). Many types
of electric capacitance-based moisture meters
Figure 4: Infrared thermograhpy image and resistance-based probes are available for
showing areas of rising damp and path of detection of wet areas and are useful for trac-
moisture travel. ing the moisture path to its source. The rate
of moisture penetration through masonry
Flatjack method of ASTM C1196 provides
walls is determined using the standard test
a means to measure this property. First, the
method of ASTM C1601. The standard test
stress is relieved by cutting a horizontal slot in Figure 5: Moisture
® penetration testing for masonry
chamber mounted to the masonry surface walls using ASTM C1601 water chamber.
the bed joint, which also causes the masonry

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applies water and pressure, creating condi-
above to deform slightly. The Flatjack is then
tions that simulate wind-driven rain (Figure

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inserted and pressurized, and the pressure is with water, resulting in a pressure head being
5). The rate of water loss from the chamber
measured as the masonry above is restored to applied to the masonry surface. This type of
into the masonry is measured, and is used to

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its original position. testing is attractive because many tests can be
determine its water ht penetration resistance.
Similarly, masonry mortar joint shear yrig performed quickly, and is useful for getting

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Visual observations of the opposite wall face
strength may be measured using the stan- an impression of masonry absorption, or for
during the test can also give useful informa-

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dard test method of ASTM C1531, which comparing water repellent treatments.
tion about the path the moisture takes as
utilizes a single specially sized Flatjack, also
e Quality & Performance
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it travels through the wall. A very fast and
known as a “Shearjack,” to fit within a head
joint, which is pressurized until it moves the
simple method for measuring water move-
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ment through a masonry surface is the water

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adjacent brick unit sideways into the opposite, Quality Control

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absorption tube test given by RILEM method
previously opened head joint.
II.4. RILEM (English translation from A successful construction or repair project

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Mortar Qualities French: International Union of Laboratories depends on the quality of work performed
and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems, being as good as it was designed and specified
If there are concerns about the quality or
uniformity of the mortar used in the existing
construction, mortar quality and consistency
m
and Structures) is an international technical
organization which develops standards for
to be. Nondestructive methods such as SPR
and IRT are especially useful to determine
testing materials and structures, similar to the effectiveness of repairs such as rebuild-
throughout the building may be evaluated and
ASTM in the United States. Different tube ing or injection, especially when a “before
compared using a rebound hammer, which
sizes are available, but the configuration and after” comparison can be made with the
measures the amount of rebound of a pendu-
consists of a circular opening perpendicular results. Metal detection methods are also help-
lum weight after striking the mortar surface,
to a vertical graduated tube. The opening ful for confirming the placement of retrofit
similar to the use of a Schmidt hammer device
is attached to the masonry surface and the anchors or veneer ties without visual observa-
used for testing concrete surface hardness. In
graduated tube portion of the tube is filled tion. The costs associated with these methods
addition to surface hardness, knowledge of
the mortar characteristics deeper inside the
wall may be needed, such as in situations Material Characteristics Test Method
where past repairs or repointing have covered Compressive strength, elastic modulus Flatjack (ASTM C1197)
the original mortar with a different type of
material. Resistance drilling techniques have In-situ stress Flatjack (ASTM C1196)
been reported to produce good correlation Shear strength Flatjack “Shearjack” (ASTM C1531)
with mortar compressive strength values, and Surface Penetrating Radar, Infrared
only require small holes drilled in existing Voids Thermography, Borescope, Sounding,
mortar joints. Pulse Velocity
Moisture Management Cracks Impact echo, Pulse velocity (ASTM C597)
Moisture problems can be one of the big- Reinforcing and metal objects Surface Penetrating Radar, Pachometer
gest threats to both structural masonry and Borescope, Ultrasonic thickness gauge,
veneer systems. Although masonry is gen- Reinforcing condition
Half-cell potential (ASTM C876)
erally a very durable material, exposure to
Mortar consistency & quality Rebound hammer, Resistance drill
excessive amounts of moisture can lead to
unsightly efflorescence, plant growth, and Spray chamber (ASTM C1601), IRT, Water
Moisture penetration
premature deterioration. In climates that pro- tube (RILEM II.4)
duce freezing temperatures, especially those Crack width & building movement Structural monitoring
with many cycles of freezing and thawing,

STRUCTURE magazine 36 March 2013

 6). During construction, monitoring is useful
to determine if the ongoing activity is causing
additional building distress or movement. The
activity does not necessarily need to originate
from your site to affect your structure, either.
An adjacent excavation or heavy equipment
can affect your building as well.
After repairs, strengthening, or stabiliza-
tion work have been completed, a long term
structural monitoring program will result in
valuable data that will aid in diagnosing future
distress, aid in detecting potential problems
before they become serious and more expen-
sive to fix and, finally, ease concerns about
long term structural performance.
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Figure 6: Vibrating wire crack monitors used for long-term structural movement monitoring. Conclusions

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A variety of nondestructive and in-situ meth-
are likely to be lower than providing full-time movement is due to natural weather cycles or ods exist to determine material properties and

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inspections, or opening completed repairs for something more serious. Monitoring systems to diagnose problems in existing masonry
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observation and repeating the repair work. that operate onopvibrating
yrig wire technology fea- structures without the need for sample

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ture a central datalogger connected to sensors removal. The information gained from a
Structural Monitoring

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that are capable of measuring crack width, tilt testing program that is well-planned and per-
A good monitoring program can provide peace angle, surface strain, and temperature. The formed correctly, with results interpreted by
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of mind before, during, and after repairs are system itself requires only a low power input, experienced professionals, can reduce costly
conducted. Before deciding which repairs so extended longevity is possible with little
i n repairs to the concentrated areas where they

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are necessary, structural monitoring can help maintenance. These monitoring systems can are needed, and can provide design engineers

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determine if cracks are active or dormant, be installed using adhesives or small anchors, so with confidence about the materials they are

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and if the building is moving, whether the the impact to the structure is minimal (Figure working with on any given project.▪

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STRUCTURE magazine 37 March 2013