Description
Several non-destructive and partially destructive tests are available for assessing of the in-place concrete quality. In this article, rebound hammer and pull-off tests are used to check the in-place concrete quality of reinforced columns after one year of exposure to natural conditions, and which have been previously characterized in compression based on the influence of core diameter. Both tests were performed on different locations through the height of the columns (top, middle and bottom). Results of the compressive strength values derived from the rebound hammer test reveal a variability through the different zones, with a standard deviation greater than 13%. On the other hand, the results of the partially destructive test (pull-off test) show an increasing trend of the tensile bond strength toward the bottom of the columns (tensile bond strength of the upper zone is lower than that of the middle and bottom zone), with a standard deviation greater than 11% for each reinforced concrete column. Based on these results, the reliability of both tests has been discussed.
