NDT ON CONCRETE

PULL OFF TEST

By
Subhodeep Neogi
Sai Prakash Vaddi
PULL-OFF TEST LIMPET APPARATUS:

• It is microprocessor based, portable hand operated/machine

operated unit used for measuring the tensile strength of in situ
concrete.

• It is a Semi Destructive Test.

• The tensile strength obtained can be correlated with the

compressive strength using empirical correlation chart.

• It has 50mm dia. steel disc with threaded rod screw and Pull off
tester.

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EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
 Working Principle:
• Tensile force required to pull a metal disk, together with a layer of
concrete is related to compressive strength of concrete.
Failure Pattern observed:

(a) Indicates that the bond strength is greater than the tensile strength of
the substrate.
(b) A failure at the interface (b) provides a measure of the tensile bond
strength between the overlay and the substrate.
(c) Indicates that the bond strength is greater than the tensile strength of
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the overlay.
Methodology:
• Remove any laitance from the concrete surface to expose the top
of the coarse aggregate particles.
• This is usually done using some sort of abrasion, using typically a
wire brush.
• On exposed concrete surface and metal disk adhesive is applied.
• The adhesive is generally a two part epoxy system.
• A thin layer of adhesive is spread over the disk area and the metal
disk is pressed firmly onto the concrete surface.
• The curing time needed for the adhesive depends upon the type of
epoxy used, curing time of not more than 24 hours is required.
• After the adhesive has cured sufficiently, the metal disk is “pulled”
from the concrete surface.
• The apparatus used for applying and recording this tensile force is
known as “Limpet” and this applies a tensile force through a
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threaded rod screwed into the metal disk.
• Equipment are available from 5 KN to 100 KN tensile force
capacities.
• The instrument mechanism makes it possible to preselect the
rate of loading and actual tensile force applied is displayed on
LCD monitor.
• The memory allows transferring of recorded data to PC.

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Limpet Pull Off Test System
Emperical relation
ADVANTAGES:
• They are simple, quick and can be used to test a wide range of
construction settings.
• Consistently accurate and reliable results can be achieved by an
unskilled operator
• Does not require planning in advance of placing the concrete.
• Is very light, easy to handle and so is very suitable for site use, even
overhead testing.
• Provides a check on safety in relation to when shuttering can be
stripped, shoring can be removed, prestress can be applied, or check
in situ strength, if cubes do not achieve the design strength

LIMITATIONS:
 Curing time required for adhesives is generally around 24 hours.
 Any human error during surface preparation can cause the adhesive
to fail easily.

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USES AND APPLICATIONS:

The pull of test could be used to establish:

• The compressive strength of concrete.
• Tensile strength of in situ concrete.
• The adhesive strength of all kinds of applied
Coatings (pavement).
• The bond strength of repairs and renovation
works on concrete surfaces.
• Measurement of the effect of curing of concrete
• Quality assurance of building materials
Thank You