IE–SASW method for nondestructive evaluation of concrete structure

The Impact–Echo (IE) method has been widely used to evaluate the integrity of concrete structures. In this method, the P-wave velocity of concrete is a crucial parameter in determining the thickness of concrete slab and the location of cracks or other defects. To determine P-wave velocity of concrete, in this paper, Spectral Analysis of Surface Wave (SASW) method was employed, and IE–SASW method was suggested by combining two nondestructive testing methods. IE method was used for the detailed nondestructive evaluation of concrete whereas SASW method was employed for the measurement of the average P-wave velocity and for the status evaluation of concrete. The feasibility study of SASW method was performed by using finite element method. Experimental studies were also performed in the slab type concrete model specimens in which various types of defects or boundaries were included at known locations. SASW tests showed the potential of determining the P-wave velocity of concrete accurately and IE tests were able to determine the thickness of structures and locations of defects. Based on both experimental and numerical studies, the feasibility of the proposed method was verified.