5.1 The impulse-response method is used to evaluate the condition of concrete slabs, pavements, bridge decks, walls, or other concrete plate structures. The method is also applicable to plate structures with overlays, such as concrete bridge decks with asphalt or portland cement concrete overlays. The impulse-response method is intended for rapid screening of structures to identify potential locations of anomalous conditions that require more detailed investigation.

5.2 This practice is not intended for integrity testing of piles. For such applications refer to Test Method D5882.

5.3 This practice can be used to locate delaminated or poorly consolidated concrete. It can also be used to locate regions of poor support or voids beneath slabs bearing on ground.

5.4 Results are used on a comparative basis for comparing concrete quality or support conditions at one point in the tested structural element with conditions at other points in the same element, or for comparing a structural element with another element of the same geometry. Invasive probing (drilling holes or chipping away concrete) or drilling of cores is used to confirm interpretations of impulse-response results.

5.5 The flexural stiffness of a plate is directly proportional to the elastic modulus of the material and directly proportional to the thickness raised to the third power (6). As a result, variations in thickness will have a greater effect on variations in the amplitude of the frequency response function than variations in elastic modulus.

5.6 Research shows that it is difficult to detect the presence of defects deeper than about 200 mm in plate-like elements using the methodology in this practice (7).

5.7 For highway applications, results may be influenced by traffic noise or low frequency structural vibrations set up by normal movement of traffic across a structure. The intermittent nature of these noises, however, may allow testing during traffic flow on adjacent portions of the structure. Engineering judgment is required to determine whether the response has been influenced by traffic-induced vibrations.

5.8 Heavy loads on suspended slabs may affect test results by altering the frequencies and shapes of different modes of vibration. Debris on the test surface may interfere with obtaining a sharp impact and with measuring the response.

5.9 The practice is not applicable in the presence of vibrations created by mechanical equipment (jack hammers, sounding with a hammer, mechanical sweepers, and the like) impacting the structure.

5.10 Tests conducted next to or directly over structural elements that stiffen the plate will result in reduced mobility and not be representative of the internal conditions of the plate.

5.11 The practice is not applicable in the presence of electrical noise, such as that produced by a generator or other electrical sources, that is captured by the data-acquisition system.

1.1 This practice provides the procedure for using the impulse-response method to evaluate rapidly the condition of concrete slabs, pavements, bridge decks, walls, or other plate-like structures.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 The text of this practice refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.