Course detail

Diagnostic methods in building

FAST-BIA007Acad. year: 2025/2026

Overview of destructive and non-destructive diagnostic testing methods for determination of building materials properties.
Determination of deformable characteristics of building materials.
Changes of material properties affected by outer conditions (degradation, temperature influence and moisture).
Load tests of elements and members.
General methodologies of diagnostic methods and their application on concrete, reinforced concrete, wooden, steel and masonry construction.
Special diagnostic methods according to types of construction.
Long-term monitoring of deformations, cracking and cracks development and failure of mentioned types of constructions.
Durability methods of testing concerning to projected lifetime.
Radiometric measurement of volume mass of shielding constructions and loose materials.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Petr Cikrle, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Building Testing (SZK)

Entry knowledge

Building materials, Testing and technology, Fundamentals of building mechanics

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Aims

Theoretical acquainting and practice realizing of diagnostics methods used for material properties detection in various types of structures. Student will be able to choose the optimal method for given material and structure.
Student will be able to do practikly use diagnostic methods for material properties detection in various types of structures. Student will be able to choose the optimal method for given material and structure.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Balayssac, J.P., Garnier, V. Non-destructive Testing and Evaluation of Civil Engineering Structures. 1st Edition Amsterdam, ISTE Press - Elsevier, 2017. (CS)
Cikrle, P. a kol. Diagnostické metody ve stavebnictví, modul M01. Studijní opora, VUT v Brně FAST, 2011. (CS)
CIKRLE, P. a kol.: NDT Zkoušení ve stavebnictví. Brno: Ústav stavebního zkušebnictví, VUT v Brně FAST, 2010. s. 1-133. ISBN: 978-80-214-4198- 9. (CS)

Recommended reading

ČSN EN 13791 Posuzování pevnosti betonu v tlaku v konstrukcích a v prefabrikovaných betonových dílcích. Praha: ÚNMZ, 2021. (CS)
CIKRLE, Petr. Význam nedestruktivních diagnostických metod pro hodnocení železobetonových konstrukcí. Brno: Vysoké učení technické v Brně, VUTIUM, 2017. ISBN 978-80-214-5464-4. (CS)
ČSN ISO 13822 (730038) A Zásady navrhování konstrukcí - Hodnocení existujících konstrukcí. Praha: Úřad pro technickou normalizaci, metrologii a státní zkušebnictví, 2014. (CS)
KLOIBER, Michal a Miloš DRDÁCKÝ. Diagnostika dřevěných konstrukcí. Praha: ČKAIT, 2015. Technická knižnice. ISBN 978-80-87438-64-0. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-SI Bachelor's

    specialization M , 3 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Petr Cikrle, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Pilot reading. Building surveys.
  • 2. Hardness measurement methodology.
  • 3. Pull-off tests, ultrasonic method.
  • 4. Radiating defectoscopy I. - radiometry
  • 5. Concrete structures diagnostic.
  • 6. Masonry diagnostic.
  • 7. Timber and steel structures diagnostic.
  • 8. Cracking and cracks development in constructions.
  • 9. Reinforcement bar diagnostic.
  • 10. Radiation flaw detection II. - radiography
  • 11. Durability and lifetime of structures.
  • 12. GPR method.
  • 13. Long-term monitoring of historical buildings defects.

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Petr Cikrle, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Task of seminar paper, draft of diagnostic of reinforced concrete structures.
  • 2. Homogenity of concrete, ultrasound method.
  • 3. Hardness testing of concrete.
  • 4. Testing of cores, the characteristic compressive strength of concrete.
  • 5. Electromagnetic indicators of reinforcement.
  • 6. Testing of structures with Georadar (GPR).
  • 7. Radiating defectoscopy I. – radiometry.
  • 8. Radiating defectoscopy II. – X-ray, gamma ray.
  • 9. Testing of brick masonry.
  • 10. Monitoring of structures, deformation measurements.
  • 11. Methods for the monitoring of surface properties.
  • 12. Presentation of seminar papers.
  • 13. Test, classificated credit.