Analysis of up-to-date methods of non-destructive testing of performance properties of reinforced concrete building structures

Abstract

In the process of engineering survey of the operated reinforced concrete structures of buildings and erections, various methods are being used. According to their approach, they are divided into two groups: destructive and non-destructive testing methods. The main disadvantage of destructive testing methods is the violation of the “testing integrity”, i.e. only the part of a structure is used in tests. When selecting core samples, for example, concrete cores from the “body“ of a structure, a new, essentially independent, structural element is formed. In other words, the behavior of a sample that is the part of a reinforced concrete structure may differ from the behavior of the same part in the structure as a whole during experimental testing. The noted shortcomings can affect the accuracy of the research results, which means that the answers to the questions posed before the technical inspection of a facility cannot be adequate. Methods of reinforced concrete structures’ inspection that partially or completely solve the problems of destructive testing are non-destructive methods. The paper concerns the system analysis of up-to-date methods of non-destructive testing of main performance properties of reinforced concrete structures.