Potential Use of Drilling Resistance Test as a Non-destructive Testing Tool in Failure Forensics

Abstract

High Performance Concrete (HPC) is being extensively used in a wide and varied range of structural applications to meet specific needs. Stipulated performance levels of HPC are accomplished by carefully selecting high quality ingredients and adopting judicious mix design. Nevertheless, High Performance Concretes at elevated temperatures undergo changes in their physical structure and chemical composition that affect their strength characteristics adversely. 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.