Use of Non-Destructive Tests to Avert the Risk of Building Collapse

Structural integrity assessment involves the determination of reliability and soundness of a structures over time and has evolved greatly over the years. The use of destructive testing is not acceptable in integrity assessment of structures since it leads to partial or wholesome destruction of the structure. This makes the use of nondestructive tests as the most viable option. As the need for structural assessment continue to acquire a high level of significance in relation to the great economic and social importance of safety and minimization of structural failures, the use of nondestructive tests (NDTs) methods continue to acquire more relevance in structural health monitoring. Due to a high rate of structural failures in Nigeria, caused by internal defects that cannot be easily detected by visual inspection, it has become necessary to adopt modern structural health monitoring tool such as NDT to assess the integrity of structures. This study assesses the integrity of a concrete columns via NDTs method as a way of reducing the risk of building collapse. The appropriateness of concrete cover was gauged using Profoscope’s rebar locator because defects related to poor concrete cover can often lead to complications in structural integrity. Six columns of the ground floor of a two story building were assessed and 10 tests were performed on the each column. Statistical method was used to validate the tests data, resulting in the mean value and standard deviation for each column. Of the six columns, one failed the reliability test showing that this particular NDT method can be valuable tool in effectively assessing buildings prone to the risk of building collapse. By being able to diagnose the risk, then it will contribute in reducing the occurrence of building collapse in nations prone to structural failure.