Assessment of thermally deteriorated concrete by drilling resistance test and sound level

Abstract

Concrete being the most versatile and widely used construction material finds application in varied range of structures. Many of these like chimneys, furnaces and reactors have to sustain high temperatures and perhaps all structures have to perform at elevated temperatures in the event of fire accidents. Concrete at elevated temperatures undergoes changes in its physical structure and chemical composition and loses its strength characteristics. Need for quick assessment of fire damaged concrete for strength characteristics, has motivated this work, which explores the potential of drilling resistance test on concrete as a Non Destructive Testing (NDT) tool. Drilling times, penetration depths and sound level measurement while drilling have been recorded and analysed to provide monograms that are handy as reckoners in failure forensics.