The operation of rebound hammer is shown in the fig.1.

When the plunger of

rebound hammer is pressed against the surface of concrete, a spring controlled
mass with a constant energy is made to hit concrete surface to rebound back.
The extent of rebound, which is a measure of surface hardness, is measured on a
graduated scale. This measured value is designated as Rebound Number
(rebound index). A concrete with low strength and low stiffness will absorb more
energy to yield in a lower rebound value.
.
.
.
.

Fig: Operation of the rebound hammer

Fig: Rebound Hammer

IS 13311 Pt-2 1992 and BS 6089-81 and BS: 1881: Pt-202 explains the
standard procedure for test and correlation between concrete cube crushing and
strength rebound number. The results are significantly affected by the following
factors:
a) Mix characteristics
1.
Cement type
2.

Cement content

3.

Coarse aggregate type

b) Angle of inclination of direction of hammer with reference to horizontal (fig2).

c) Member characteristics
1.
Mass
2.

Compaction

3.

Surface type

4.

Age, rate of hardening and curing type

5.

Surface carbonation

6.

Moisture condition

7.

Stress state and temperature

Fig.2 cube compressive strength is N/mm2 plotted against rebound number

Since each of these may affect the readings obtained, any attempts to compare
or estimate concrete strength will be valid only if they are all standardised for the
concrete under test and for the calibration of specimens.
A) Strength Assessment
This test is conducted to assess the relative strength of concrete based on the
hardness at or near its exposed surface. Carrying of periodic calibration of
rebound hammer using standard anvil is desirable. However for new concrete
construction, rebound hammer is calibrated on concrete test cubes for a given
source of constituent materials (i.e. cement, sand, stone aggregates), this
calibration data can be used with reasonable accuracy In arriving at equivalent insitu cube strength of relatively new concrete (not more than three months old
concrete. This calibration exercise may be carried out in a concrete lab by casting
cubes of designed mix and testing these under controlled condition with rebound
hammer as well as test to destruction in compression. Calibration graphs then can
be drawn. Large number of readings are desirable to reduce the affects of
variability in readings due to various localized as well as instrument factors. This
method may give highly erroneous results for concrete whose surface is exposed
to atmosphere for longer periods say more than three months. This is due to
hardening of concrete surface due to carbonation, which may cause
overestimation as much as 50% for old structure. Hence strength assessment by
rebound hammer test should generally be restricted to relatively new structures
only,
B) Survey of weak and delaminating concrete
as the test requires a flat surface and large number of readings to reduce
variability, this test is not generally suitable for use on spalled concrete surfaces

of distressed structures. However, comparison of rebound numbers which indicate

the near surface hardness of the concrete will help to identify relative surface
weakness in cover concrete and also can be used to determine the relative
compressive strength of concrete. Locations possessing very low rebound
numbers will be identified as weak surface concrete and such locations will be
identified for further investigations like corrosion distress, fire damage and or any
other reason including original construction defects of concrete. This survey is to
be carried our on each identified member in a systematic way by dividing the
member into well-defined grid points. The grid matrix should have a spacing of
approximately 300mm x 300mm. Table 1 gives guidelines for qualitative
interception of rebound hammer test results with reference to quality.
Table: 1 Quality of concrete from rebound values
Comparative Hardness

Average Rebound

Quality of Concrete

>40

Very good

30 40

Good

20 30

Fair

<20

Poor and / or delaminated

Very poor and/or

delaminated

Procedure
i) Before commencement of a test, the rebound hammer should be tested against
the test anvil, to get reliable results, for which the manufacturer of the rebound
hammer indicates the range of readings on the anvil suitable for different types of
rebound hammer.
ii) Apply light pressure on the plunger it will release it from the locked position
and allow it to extend to the ready position for the test.
iii) Press the plunger against the surface of the concrete, keeping the instrument
perpendicular to the test surface. Apply a gradual increase in pressure until the
hammer impacts. (Do not touch the button while depressing the plunger. Press
the button after impact, in case it is not convenient to note the rebound reading
in that position.)

iv) Take the average of about 15 readings.