Evaluating the Application of Reinforcement Correction Factor for Concrete Core Testing

This study investigates the reinforcement correction factor of concrete core in more detail to prepare appropriate outlines for interpretation of results. This investigation aims to minimize uncertainties involved to carry out the more realistic condition assessment of suspect buildings before taking up retrofitting/strengthening measures. For this purpose, an extensive experimental program including different concrete strength level, moisture condition, core size, length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of core and steel bar size with various configurations was under taken. The effect of variation of foregoing parameters on the ratio of average compressive strength of cores containing steel bars to that of corresponding plain specimens was probed. The results show that the correction factors are highly dependent on the values of volume percentage and position of reinforcing bars in the core, which are extremely interrelated. Hence, the experimental results do not show a good agreement with the provisions by the British Standard 6089 and Concrete Society Report No.11. Therefore, a statistical analysis on the prediction of cube compressive strength using linear and nonlinear regression models is accomplished. The results showed that regression models have great ability as a feasible tool for prediction of compressive strength on the basis of core testing in the presence of steel bars. However, the most accurate results obtained by nonlinear equations in comparison with linear models.