How to Analyse the Health of Concrete Using Proceq’s Non-Destructive Testing Instruments

Concrete may appear solid on the surface; however, assessing its internal condition is essential to fully understand its structural integrity. Engineers, contractors, and asset managers need reliable insights into the condition of concrete structures — without causing damage. That’s where non-destructive testing (NDT) methods come into play.

Using a combination of Proceq’s industry-leading tools — Profoscope Rebar Locator & Cover Meter, SilverSchmidt UN Concrete Test Hammer , Resipod Concrete Resistivity Meter, GPR-Live Concrete Ground Penetrating Radar and Pundit PL-200PE Ultrasonic Concrete Test System, you can build a comprehensive picture of concrete health, from surface hardness to deep structural integrity.

Here's a Step-By-Step Guide on How to Perform a Multi-Tool Concrete Health Assessment

1. Surface Preparation

Before testing begins, prepare the surface for accurate readings:

✔ Clean off dust, debris, moisture, or paint.

✔ Mark grid lines or testing points if scanning or mapping is required.

Good preparation ensures reliable, reproducible results across all devices.

2. Rebar Detection with the Profoscope Rebar Locater & Cover Meter

Purpose: Locate reinforcement bars and estimate cover depth.

Understanding rebar positioning is crucial. It prevents interference with subsequent tests like rebound hammer readings or resistivity measurements.

Steps:

✔ Power on and calibrate the Profoscope.

✔ Move the probe across the surface to detect embedded rebars.

✔ Mark positions, orientations, and estimate diameters and cover depth.

✔ Document the layout for future correlation with other data.

3. Surface Hardness Assessment with the SilverSchmidt UN Concrete Test Hammer

Purpose: Determine surface hardness, which correlates with compressive strength.

This non-destructive method helps assess uniformity and identify weaker zones.

Steps:

✔ Use rebar-free areas (from Step 2).

✔ Hold the SilverSchmidt UN Concrete Test Hammer perpendicular to the surface.

✔ Take 10–15 readings per location, discard outliers, and calculate the mean.

✔ Convert rebound values to compressive strength using standard charts or the device app.

4. Electrical Resistivity Measurement with the Resipod Concrete Resistivity Meter

Purpose: Evaluate the potential for corrosion in reinforced concrete by measuring surface resistivity.

Resistivity readings offer an early indicator of long-term durability.

Steps:

✔ Slightly moisten the surface if dry.

✔ Position the four-point Wenner probe on the concrete.

✔ Collect multiple readings to ensure consistency.

✔ Analyse the results:

- Low resistivity = higher corrosion risk.

- High resistivity = better durability.

5. Subsurface Imaging with GPR-Live Concrete Ground Penetrating Radar

Purpose: Detect voids, delamination, cracks, and thickness variations in the concrete.

After confirming rebar layout and surface integrity, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) offers a deeper look.

Steps:

✔ Connect GPR-Live Concrete Ground Penetrating Radar to a tablet or smartphone.

✔ Configure scan settings (depth, resolution, antenna).

✔ Scan marked grids or target zones.

✔ Interpret results in real time: look for anomalies such as honeycombing, cracks, or embedded objects.

✔ Save and export scan data for analysis or client reporting.

6. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Testing with the Proceq Pundit PL-200PE

Purpose: Evaluate internal concrete quality, detect flaws, and estimate compressive strength.

Ultrasonic testing adds another layer of non-destructive structural insight.

Steps:

✔ Apply coupling gel if needed.

✔ Place the transmitter and receiver probes in direct or indirect transmission mode.

✔ Measure travel time of ultrasonic pulses through the concrete.

✔ High velocities typically suggest dense, sound material.

✔ Low velocities may indicate cracking, voids, or deterioration.

7. Data Consolidation and Structural Health Assessment

Bring together all the data collected from the tools:

Profoscope Rebar Locator & Cover Meter = Rebar location and depth

SilverSchmidt UN Concrete Test Hammer = Surface hardness and compressive strength

Resipod Concrete Resistivity Meter = Corrosion potential via resistivity

GPR-Live Concrete Ground Penetrating Radar = Subsurface condition mapping

Pundit PL-200PE Ultrasonic Concrete Test System = Internal consistency and structural soundness

By cross-referencing this data, you can diagnose the structural integrity of the concrete, identify areas of concern, and plan for remediation or further investigation.

8. Report Generation and Presentation

Proceq's ecosystem of apps and software enables seamless reporting:

✔ Export graphs, tables, 3D maps, and imagery.

✔ Generate location-specific analysis with visual evidence.

✔ Provide recommendations for maintenance, repair, or continued monitoring.

Concrete health analysis doesn’t have to be invasive or destructive. With the right combination of Proceq instruments, you can uncover hidden issues, validate structural performance, and make informed decisions — safely and efficiently.

Whether you’re performing condition assessments for infrastructure, heritage preservation, or pre-purchase evaluations, this integrated NDT approach ensures your concrete testing is comprehensive, accurate, and defensible. TechRentals is ready to help you hire exactly what you need.