Cover Meter Test
Table of Contents
Background Information
Basic Information
It will be useful if we can determine the cover or distance of the reinforcement from the nearest concrete surface of the structure without destroying or cutting the member. A large number of attempts have been made but only the method involving electromagnetic principles has been successful. (Rao, 1949)
How a Cover Meter Works?
The change of inductance of an iron cored inductor known as ‘search unit’ due to the proximity of the reinforcing bar is used to measure the ‘cover’. The search unit is moved on the surface of the concrete and rotated till the maximum deflection is seen on the indicator. The meter is calibrated with the concrete block and thereafter the search unit is used to find the position of the reinforcement in structures. (Rao, 1949)
Importance of Cover Meter in the Industry Diameter and position of the reinforcement in concrete structures are important parameters for the evaluation of the durability and the stability of the building structures. A lot of samples are needed to assess the remaining life time and to determine the optimum date for rehabilitation of a building structure. A reliable durability analysis can be yield only by nondestructive testing methods. Even when detailed structural-drawings are available they often must be regarded as a useful tool by means of additional information about the structure under investigation. (Reinhardt, 1991) Nondestructive control of the cover and size of reinforcement in addition to other testing parameters like for example, the permeability of the concrete, immediately after construction may be help to improve the durability of the building structure in an early stage. (Reinhardt, 1991)
Accuracy if Cover Measurement It must be indicated clearly that the overall accuracy of concrete cover measurements depends in an equal way on the combination of:
i) The characteristics of the devices, in term of: stability, insensibility to
Background Information
Basic Information
It will be useful if we can determine the cover or distance of the reinforcement from the nearest concrete surface of the structure without destroying or cutting the member. A large number of attempts have been made but only the method involving electromagnetic principles has been successful. (Rao, 1949)
How a Cover Meter Works?
The change of inductance of an iron cored inductor known as ‘search unit’ due to the proximity of the reinforcing bar is used to measure the ‘cover’. The search unit is moved on the surface of the concrete and rotated till the maximum deflection is seen on the indicator. The meter is calibrated with the concrete block and thereafter the search unit is used to find the position of the reinforcement in structures. (Rao, 1949)
Importance of Cover Meter in the Industry Diameter and position of the reinforcement in concrete structures are important parameters for the evaluation of the durability and the stability of the building structures. A lot of samples are needed to assess the remaining life time and to determine the optimum date for rehabilitation of a building structure. A reliable durability analysis can be yield only by nondestructive testing methods. Even when detailed structural-drawings are available they often must be regarded as a useful tool by means of additional information about the structure under investigation. (Reinhardt, 1991) Nondestructive control of the cover and size of reinforcement in addition to other testing parameters like for example, the permeability of the concrete, immediately after construction may be help to improve the durability of the building structure in an early stage. (Reinhardt, 1991)
Accuracy if Cover Measurement It must be indicated clearly that the overall accuracy of concrete cover measurements depends in an equal way on the combination of:
i) The characteristics of the devices, in term of: stability, insensibility to
References: Rao, K. 1949. Calculation, design and testing of reinforced concrete. London: Pitman & Sons. Reinhardt, H. W. 1991. Testing during concrete construction. London: Chapman and Hall.