A H M 531

Schmidt Hammer test

By: Ahmed Essam Mansour

Objectives:
Measuring the compressive strength of concrete using the Schmidt hammer.

Standards:
ASTM designation C 805 75T

General Discussion:
Testing the compressive strength of concrete using the Schmidt hammer (Also called: rebound hammer, impact hammer and sclerometer), is considered as a non destructive test as no destroyed specimens takes place in it.

A H M 531 The Civil Engineering Center

The main principle of this test is that it measures the rebound of an elastic mass when it collides with the concrete surface under the test, this rebound depends on the hardness of concrete and on the energy it absorbs from the collision. The tested concrete has to be smooth and firmly supported. The hammer is pressed against the concrete, and then the mass inside the hammer is rebounded from the plunger and gives a reading on the scale. This reading is called Rebound Number which is the distance traveled by the mass expressed as a percentage of the initial extension of the spring. Note that the rebound number is an arbitrary measure that means different device might give different rebound numbers in the same test. The rebound number depends on energy stored in the spring and on the size of the mass, consequently each device is combined with a graph contains calibrating curves relating the rebound number with the
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A H M 531

Schmidt Hammer test

By: Ahmed Essam Mansour

compressive strength. As this test is sensitive to the presence of aggregate and voids, we have to take at least 10 reading in the test area, which is 15 cm diameter circle, and there average is taken as the compressive strength of the concrete. Readings where the hammer crashes or breaks into a near surface air voids shall not be taken. The plunger should always be normal to the concrete in test. The hammer position relative to the vertical affects the rebound number because of the affect of gravity on the mass in side the device. (The rebound number for the floor is smaller than it for the ceiling) The calibration graph relating the rebound number and the compressive strength contains a curve for each angle (measured from the horizontal to the hammer axis). After 10 readings are taken, the average is calculated and all the readings must not deviate 7 degrees from the average, an allowance is two reading only can excess 7 degrees, but if more than two readings existed the test shall be terminated. The error of the device is written in the graph and the taken values shall be corrected in accordance with the error value. The Schmidt hammer test results cant be used to reject or accept the concrete as there are many other factors affecting the results including surface smoothness and finish, moisture content, coarse aggregate type, and the presence of carbonation.

A H M 531 The Civil Engineering Center

The Civil Engineering Center

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A H M 531

Schmidt Hammer test

By: Ahmed Essam Mansour

Apparatus and Materials:

Schmidt hammer:

It consists of a spring loaded steel hammer which when released strikes a steel plunger in contact with the concrete surface. A scale which measures the rebound number takes place on the surface of the instrument. And the calibration graph that relates rebound number with compressive strength is glued on the instrument.

A H M 531 The Civil Engineering Center

Abrasive stone: Consisting of a medium grain texture silicon carbide or equivalent material. It is used to smooth the concrete surface and remove the finishing of it.

Procedures:
1. Preparing the test area by smoothing it and removing mortar and paint from the surface. The test area is a circle of 15 cm. 2. The hammer is placed in touch with the testing area and pressed till the hammer impacts and the release button

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A H M 531

Schmidt Hammer test

By: Ahmed Essam Mansour

is pressed to get the reading. 3. The previous step is held for 10 times, and 10 readings are obtained. The distance between any two readings must not be more that 25 mm.

Discussion and Conclusion:

All the reading where considered in calculations as the deviation of all the points from the average is less than 7 degrees, I think that can be related to the homogeneity of the mix. The gained compressive strength is satisfactory, but errors might be occurred in placing the hammer orthogonally on the concrete surface. The more the rebound number is the more compressive strength of the concrete.

A H M 531 The Civil Engineering Center

The Civil Engineering Center

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