Cracking is a common observation in concrete structures. Cracks can be a result of plastic shrinkage, or constructional movements. Moreover, cracks can happen as a result of overloading concrete elements, or creep. Chemical reactions such as alkali-aggregate reactions and corrosion can induce cracking. Material and Structural engineers are interested in the main reasons behind concrete cracks, and determine the extent and severity of existing cracks. Two parameters are often used by engineers to characterize cracks: crack width, and crack depth. In this article, we will review 3 methods for evaluating crack depth in concrete.

What is Crack |  Why Does Concrete Crack?

A crack is a linear fracture in concrete which extends partly or completely through the member (OSIM, 2008). In a concrete element, tensile stresses are initially carried by the concrete and reinforcement. When the tensile stresses in the beam exceeds the tensile capacity, the concrete cracks. After this point the tensile force is transferred completely to the steel reinforcement.

Cracks can occur during the concrete construction, placement and curing. They can also at any time during the service life of the structure. Cracks cab be sign of structural problems, or a result of concrete deterioration. Several issues can result in cracks in concrete, including:

  • excessive external loads
  • external restraint forces
  • internal restraint forces
  • differential movements
  • settlements

In a concrete element, the crack (shrinkage, thermal, and service loads) width and distribution is mainly controlled by steel reinforcement. In fiber-reinforced concrete, fibers help control cracking. Cracks that are caused by internal or external chemical reactions, or a result of accidental loads (i.e. blast, or impact load from accidents) are different in their nature and require further investigation to assess their impact on structural integrity and durability performance of the element.

How To Evaluate Concrete Cracks ?

Visual inspection and monitoring is the first step towards understanding the nature of existing cracks, and the underlying causes. For example, inclined cracks over concrete beams near the supports can be a sign of shear stress, or cracks with a sign of rust can be a result of steel corrosion. Usually, crack widths are used to assess the severity of concrete cracks, whereas crack depth is used to evaluate overall structural integrity of the element.

3

1. Crack Width

Crack severity  on the surface of concrete is normally measured using a crack width ruler (crack gauge). Depending on the opening of the cracks on the surface, cracks can be described (as tiny as hairline, or severe (few millimetres opening).

2. Crack Depth

There are cases where structural engineers are interested in the crack depth measurement. Crack depth is used to evaluate structural integrity, and verify durability performance. Crack depth measurement can help repair contractor in evaluating the repair costs.

Depending on the nature of the project, engineers rely on different intrusive and non-intrusive techniques to estimate the crack depth.

Crack Depth Measurement in Concrete

I. Visual Examination of Concrete Cores

Extracting core samples from the defects is considered a popular method among inspectors and engineers. Depending on the nature of the crack, and the location of crack (is it located in critically damaged area?, is located on or around post-tensioning cables), core samples can provide information about the extent, depth, and severity of cracks.  One approach is simply extracting cores, and visually examining the corehole and the core for possible causes of the crack. In another method, dye is injected (using pressure) into surface cracks. Later, concrete cores will be taken from the area under investigation. The sample is studied under microscope for determining the depth of cracks in concrete.

Concrete Crack at Cold Joint - Visual Examination of Coreholes

II. Impact-Echo Method

In Impact-Echo test, a stress pulse is generated at the surface of the element. The pulse spreads into the test object and is reflected by cracks, flaws or interfaces, and boundaries. The surface response caused by the arrival of reflected waves, is monitored using a high precision receiving transducer (Malhotra and Carino, 2004). When stress waves travel within the concrete element, a part of emitted acoustic waves by the stress pulse on the surface is reflected over the boundary layers, where different the material stiffness changes. The data received by the transducer is normally analyzed in the frequency domain to measure the wave speed and the thickness. This procedure has been standardized as the ASTM C1383, “Standard Test Method for Measuring the P-Wave Speed and the Thickness of Concrete Plates Using the Impact-Echo Method”.

Impact-Echo can be used to assess the depth of surface cracks. To do so, an impact-echo test setup with two transducers is needed.

Impact Echo for Evaluation of Concrete Crack Depth

where L1 is the distance between the horizontal impact point and the crack; L2 denotes the distance between the second sensor and the surface-opening crack; L3 represents the distance between the impact point and the first sensor; VP is the P-wave velocity; and Δt denotes the travel time for the P-wave from the start of the impact to its arrival to the transducer 2.


How To Test Concrete Using Impact-Echo ?

III. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) is an effective non-destructive testing (NDT) method for quality control of concrete materials, and detecting damages in structural components. The UPV methods have traditionally been used for the quality control of materials, mostly homogeneous materials such as metals and welded connections. With the recent advancement in transducer technology, the test has been widely accepted in testing concrete materials. Ultrasonic testing of concrete is an effective way for quality assessment and uniformity, and crack depth estimation. The test procedure has been standardized as “Standard Test Method for Pulse Velocity through Concrete” (ASTM C 597, 2016).

Concrete Crack Depth Measurement using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

To learn more about UPV method, and its applications, click here. UPV method can be used for estimating the depth of surface cracks. To do so, each transducers should be place on one side of the crack, for a given distance. Then, the distance between transducers is changed in the same trajectory. The UPV measurement will be repeated for different spacing of transducers.