Ectha PRO

Concrete digital test hammer

1
Table of contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Ectha PRO........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
3 General safety ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
4 Aims and limits................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
5 Support ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
6 Getting to know .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
7 Safety transport cup .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................10
8 Performing test .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................11
9 Turn ON-OFF and battery ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
10 Menu............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
11 New project ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................17
12 Manual mode................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
13 Saved projects ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22
14 Settings .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23
15 Download of data ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
16 Calibration.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................25
17 Standards ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26
18 Correlation curves......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
19 Accessories and technical data .....................................................................................................................................................................................................30

2
1 Introduction

DRC thanks you for choosing Ectha PRO

DRC Diagnostic Research Company designs, manufactures and markets equipment for non-destructive testing and investigations in the field of civil engineering
since 1978.

Operating manual

The operating manual that follows has been designed to help you get maximum use from the Ectha PRO rebound hammer.
Read this manual with care before using the instrument and always keep it within reach during investigation phases.
This user manual contains safety regulations as well as all instructions necessary for rebound hammer use and any subsequent processing of the data obtained.
To take full advantage of instrument use, please read all instructions carefully.

This document is available in pdf format, available for download in Support/Download area of www.drcitalia.it.

3
2 Ectha PRO

Ectha PRO concrete test hammer is the result of over 30 years of mechanical manufacturer experience and unique Italian design.

Equipped with Bluetooth technology for the transmission of data in real time, with the ECTHA R application the test hammer allows the operator to capture
and display the values acquired both in the instrument and in the paired device, record the test excel files, share files quickly and print the test report directly
on site through the portable Bluetooth printer (optional, purchasable separately at DRC).

Thanks to the new icons, Ectha PRO has a simple and intuitive navigation menu and is really easy to use on site.

Ectha PRO is constantely subjected both to rigorous qualitative controls on mechnaical parts and calibration with TAM 100 (IrB 80 +/-3), TAM 50 (IrB 40 +/-2)
and TAM 200 anvils for impact force measurement.

4
3 General safety
To prevent the risk of damaging the equipment or provoking damages to the operator or third parties, carefully read the following general safety standards
prior to using the concrete test hammer. These standards should always be provided with the instrument, so that it may be consulted at any time by the
user/operator.
The manufacturer will not assume any responsibility for direct or indirect damages to persons, objects or domestic and non-domestic animals, due to the
noncompliance of the safety standards contained in the present documentation.

The instrument must be used by adequately trained personnel, in order to avoid the improper use of the equipment

The instrument must be solely used for its destined use for which it was designed

The tampering and modification of the instrument are to be considered as negligent and isolate the manufacturer from any
responsibility deriving from the misuse. In such a situation the guarantee for eventual spare parts or calibration verification will
immediately cease to exist
Do not perform or carry out any type of test with the instrument on any body part of persons or animals: permanent damage and even
grievous bodily harm may be caused by the use of the instrument on certain parts of the human/animal body
In the case of faults or malfunction, the instrument must only be repaired by qualified expert personnel. If, after dropping the
instrument, the external plastic of the instrument breaks, remove the batteries and power cable and contact a DRC Customer Service
Centre for the necessary repairs. Contact with the components inside the instrument may cause injury
In the case of accidental breakage of the monitor, take care to not injure yourselves with the glass fragments and avoid contact of the
liquid crystals with skin, eyes and mouth. The monitor is protected by break-proof plastic casing
Cable. In order to preserve the conformity of the instrument, use only the cables supplied for connection to the input/output terminals
of the concrete test hammer

5
4 Aims and limits
The tests that may be performed on hardened concrete in operation, normal and pre-compressed reinforced concrete, in order to control the quality and
estimate the mechanical characteristics are divided into Destructive and Non-Destructive Tests.

The mechanical method for the determination of the surface hardness via the use of the concrete test hammer is among the non-destructive tests.
This method is based on the corresponding existence between the unitary load for compression breakage and the surface hardness of the conglomerate, by
measuring the remaining elastic energy (rebound method).

The concrete test hammer tests are used to estimate, with due limitations in the procedure, the compression resistance of the concrete in previously
constructed structures. In fact the UNI EN 12504 -2, at point 1, note 2, prescribes that the test method is not intended as an alternative to compression tests
for the determination of the concrete resistance but, with appropriate correlations, may provide an estimate of the resistance on site.

The rebound index obtained by this method may be used for the evaluation of the uniformity of the concrete on site, to delineate the zones or areas of poor
quality or deteriorated concrete present in the structures.

Read the manual carefully before using the instrument and keep always it handy during the survey phases.

6
5 Support
For support, assistance and calibration of equipment, download and fill in each part the RMA form (Return Material Authorization), present in Support area of
www.drcitalia.it.
Send the document first by email to [email protected] and then enclose the document with equipment.

Tool model Serial number Date of calibration

7
6 Getting to know
Ectha PRO is made up of a mechanical model N rebound hammer with the electronics necessary for data acquisition, analysis and reporting.
Below is a diagram of the Ectha PRO digital rebound hammer and its main components.
The instrument is provided with an IP67 rigid case, which includes its components and accessories.

General components
o A = Safety transport cup
o B = Plastic case for electronic PCB
o C = Display
o D = Keyboard
o E = USB interface socket (mini USB) and SD slot card
o F = Mechanical hammer housing
o G = Hammer lock botton
o H = Wrist strap
[E] Connection USB and SD
o e1 = Reset
o e2 = Mini USB interface
5 o e3 = Mini SD slot card
[F] Keyboard
1 o 1 = Move UP menu
o 2 = Move RIGHT menu
4 2
o 3 = Move DOWN menu
o 4 = Move LEFT menu
3 o 5 = ON-OFF and confirm

8
 o 1: Move UP menu
5 o 2: Move RIGHT menu
o 3: Move DOWN menu
o 4: Move LEFT menu
1 o 5: ON-OFF and confirm selection

4 2

9
7 Safety transport cup
Remove safety cup

Concrete test hammer Ectha PRO is delivered to the end user with the
safety transport cup to prevent damage during trasport.

Remove it before use the concrete test hammer.

Do it following below instruction.

If while you are removing safety cup the ring is removed as well, please
follow the procedure to restore the hammer as before:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dv9zHMMV4c

10
8 Performing test

Below are the general procedures for the proper execution of the sclerometric survey.
Steps to follow:

 Calibration check
 Selection and preparation of the test surface
 Performing test
 Test result (or report)

Calibration check

For test hammer calibration check, please see par. 16 “Calibration”.

Select and preparation of the test surface

The concrete elements to be subjected to the test must be at least 100 mm in thickness and fixed inside a structure. Smaller sample pieces may be subjected to
testing as long as these pieces are rigidly supported.
Areas that contain the presences of gravel nests, flaking, course textures or other porous elements and in the proximity of significant inertia must be avoided.
It should also be avoided, by performing a preliminary Rebar Locator investigation, the carrying out of sclerometric strikes in areas of passing armatures and in
the vicinity of pre-compression cables and wires.

In the selection of an area to be subjected to the test, the following factors should be considered:

 Identification of the areas interested in the passage of armatures

 Type of surface
 Status of the surface humidity
 Carbonatation of concrete
 Movement of the concrete during the test
 Evaluation of the damage level of the surface subject to the test
 Test direction
11
  Other appropriate factors as, for example, the type of concrete and the declared resistance class

The area to be subjected to the test must be approximately 300 mm x 300 mm. Ensure that
the distance between the two points of impact is not less than 25 mm and that neither is
less than 25 mm from the edge.

The preparation of the test is carried out using an abrasive medium grain carborundum
stone, provided with the instrument, to rectify the surfaces with rough or tender textures or
surfaces with traces or mortar, in order to render the surfaces smooth.

The smooth or float surfaces may be subjected to testing without rectification.

Remove eventual water residue present on the cement surface.

12
Do a test

Unscrew the safety cap upon removing the sclerometer from its covering, lightly push the
piston inwards, compressing it towards a rigid surface.
The piston will unhook and exit from the instrument body which is now ready for the test.

Operate the instrument at least three times prior to take any readings, in order to ensure
that the mechanics are operating correctly.

In order to facilitate the testing an appropriate station-template supplied with the

instrument permits the marking of a normal line grid, with lines distancing from 25 to 50
mm and the intersection of the lines as examination points, on the element subjected to the
test.

Push the piston against the concrete surface under examination, maintaining the apparatus in perpendicular to the surface.
Apply gradual to increasing pressure until the hammer unhooks.
Maintain the apparatus firmly pressed against the examined surface, depress the halt pawl and read the value of the bounce index.

Do not touch the halt bottom while pressing the piston.

13
 Carry out at least nine hits in order to obtain a reliable estimate of the sclerometric index of
the test area.

Record test hammer position and orientation for each measurement.

Examine all the prints left on the surface after the impact and discard the result if the impact
has shattered or perforated due to a gap near the surface.

Test hammer calibration check must be done BEFORE and AFTER the survey.

The presence of carbonatization on the investigated element must be verified.

The concrete altered by the carbonatization will cause an over-estimation of the resistance which in extreme cases may reach 50% (in effect the formation of
calcium carbonate provokes a hardening of the surface strata).
The presence of the carbonatization may be ascertained via a colorimetric test. Ectha PRO is provided with fenolftaleina to make the colorimetric test.

Test result (or report)

The report includes:

 Identification of the element / concrete structure
 Position of the test area/s
 Concrete test hammer identification
 Description of the test area/s preparation
 Concrete details and conditions
 Date and hour of the test run
 Test result (average value) and orientation of the sclerometer for each test area
 Eventual deviations from the standardized test method
 Declaration of the person responsible for the test, whom can attest that the 12504-2 test has been performed, excepting that referred to
in point 8.

14
Where necessary, the report may also include the single concrete test hammer readings.

9 Turn ON-OFF and battery

To turn ON the test hammer keep press button n. 5 for 2 seconds.

Connecting the batteries, if not appear any writing on the display

put the instrument on charge by connecting the charger provided with the instrument.

Rechargeable feeder

Connect the USB cable, supplied with the instrument, with the mini USB connector located under the cap interface E.

During the battery charging process, the icon located in the upper right of the screen, shows the “battery state of charge”, until the battery is full charged.
Ectha PRO has a new power supply system which allows for improved job autonomy (over 10 hours continuously).
The hammer must be charged for at least 8 hours continuous to ensure this performance.

Keep under charge 8 hours to get better performance

To turn OFF the test hammer keep press button n. 5 for 3 seconds.
Stand-by mode after 3 minutes of non-scheduled use of the instrument. Press button n. 5 to activate the tool.
After 10 minutes of non-scheduled use, the hammer turns off automatically

15
10 Menu
The Ectha PRO navigation menu allows, clearly and quickly, the operator to set and record test parameters and acquire measurement.

PROGECT: this function allows the operator to open and name a

new project and test area, set angle of hit, set and record test
parameters and acquire measurement

MANUAL MODE: this mode allows the operator to carry out hits,
visualize rebound index value and Rck value of material without
logging data

SAVED PROJECTS: include files of saved projects and, if required,

new areas with new hits can be added to the saved project.
For more information, see par. 13

SETTINGS: settlement of test hammer general parameters and

test parameters

16
11 New project
In this section it is possible to open a new survey project.

New project

Select project icon with button n. 1, After confirming the project name, a After confirming the name of the After confirming the angle of hit,
2, 3, 4 and press button n. 5 to new screen will open and you can area, a new screen will open and you press button n. 5 to acquire
confirm. name the test area. can select the angle of hit. measurement.
In the new screen, name the project. Letters and numbers can be selected Use buttons n. 2 and 4 and button n.
With buttons n. 1 and 3, choose as described in the previous point. 5 to confirm.
letters and numbers. Use buttons n. Press button n. 5 to confirm.
2 and 4 to write the project name.
Press button n. 5 to confirm.

17
 Micro SD card
Date
Bluetooth
ON-mode
Hour

Project
name
Battery
charge level
Hit of area
name

Instant rebound State of the

index hammer
Push the piston against the concrete When hammer position becomes
surface under examination. green, it means that the instrument
When hammer position is red, it is ready to hit and acquire data. Average rebound
means that a hit is already carried The acquired data are logged.
index
out. All the data acquired during the
hit are saved on the display (please
see next pictures). Angle of hit Number of
hit in the
same testing
area
Rck value related to the
last hit carried out

18
Once all hits of test area have been carried out, press button n. 2. Once all hits of test area have been carried out, press
In the new menu it is possible to choose: button n. 3 to visualize the measurements in a graph.
The yellow line represents the average value.

NEW AREA: it is possible to open a NOTES: Press button n. 2 to exit from this
new area. All the data related to the screen
 Use buttons n. 1 and 3 to scroll
previous area are saved
through the menu
ANGLE: it is possible to change the
 Press button n. 2 to go back
angle settlement for following hits;
the hammer requires the operator 5
to open a new area
SAVE&CLOSE: the entire project can 1
be saved
4 2
DELETE: the last hit can be deleted

19
12 Manual mode
In this section, sclerometric hits are carried out without recording measurements into the instrument memory. This function can be useful fo example for
calibration check with testing anvil. Hits are counted and average rebound index is calculated; the angle of hit can be selected and Rck value can be displayed.

Next picture shows all the information of Ectha PRO – in MANUAL MODE – present on the display.

Micro SD Card
Date
Bluetooth
On-mode
Hou
r

Battery
Instant rebound
charge level
index

Average rebound Number of

index hit in the
series
Angle of hit

Rck value related to

the last hit carried out

20
Once all hits of test area have been carried out in manual mode, press button n. 2 to open a new menu where you can choose:

DELETE ALL: delete all the data NOTES:

acquired until that moment. Average
rebound index and hits are not saved  Use keys n. 1 and 3 to scroll
(since they have been acquired in through the menu
manual mode)
 Press button n. 2 to return to the
ANGLE: it is possible to change angle previous menu
settlement for following hits 5

RcK: you can visualize Rck value, both 1

in MPa and PSI modes, on the main
display 4 2

21
13 Saved projects
In this section you can visualize all saved projects. Press button n. 5 to select a project that has already been saved and add other hits related to new areas.

Select the project using buttons n. 1 After choosing the project, a new After confirming the name of the After confirming the angle of hit,
and 3 and press button n. 5 to screen will open and you can name area, a new screen will open and you press button n. 5 to acquire
confirm. the area of hit. can select the angle of hit. measurement.
Use buttons n. 1 and 3 to change Use buttons n. 4 and 2 and press
letters and buttons n. 2 and 4 for button n. 5 to confirm.
sliding the cursor.
Press button n. 5 to confirm the
name.

Once all hits of test area have been carried out press button n. 2: in the new menu you can make the same choices described at page 20.

22
14 Settings
In this section you can set the instrument. Below are the available options. Use buttons n. 1 and 3 to scroll through the menu.

NOTES:

 It is possible to scroll through the menu with

keys 1 and 3

 Press button n. 2 to return to the previous

menu
5
ANGLE: set the angle of hit (this value can be BLUETOOTH: enable/disable Bluetooth function
changed before starting a new series, as 1
described in previous sections) RESTORE: restore default settings; confirmation is
requested before executing the command; once the 4 2
CURVE: you can visualize the Rck value, both in command is confirmed you can keep the saved
MPa and PSI, on the main display projects or delete them
3
DATE/HOUR: set date and hour FW UPGRADE: firmware is updated; confirmation is
requested before executing the command
LINGUAGE: set language of the menu
INFO: test hammer information and serial number
are displayed

23
15 Download of data
To download the logged data proceed as follows:

 Turn ON the instrument

 Connect the instrument with the USB port of PC using the supplied cable

 The micro SD card is recognized by PC as external memory unit

 Open the micro SD card from “Explore files”

 The files contained in the micro SD card have .xls extension and the same name of the saved projects

 Move or copy the files into the right folder

 Open the files with Microsoft Excel

 The logged data are displayed in a table as the one below, where each row refers to a single hit

Pillar Zone Face Measure IRb Angle IRbm Area AreaIndex ProjectName
RcK RcKm
0 0 0 1 33 -90 33 A00001 1 PRJ00031 32 32
0 0 0 2 30 -90 31 A00001 1 PRJ00031 26 28
0 0 0 1 33 0 33 A00002 2 PRJ00031 23 23
0 0 0 2 33 0 33 A00002 2 PRJ00031 23 23
0 0 0 1 29 90 29 A00003 3 PRJ00031 10 10
0 0 0 2 33 90 31 A00003 3 PRJ00031 14 12

24
16 Calibration
Insert the test hammer into the plastic guide and run a series of hit (at least Xn = 10). At the end of the test series, calculate the average value and check if it is
within the tolerance range specified on the anvil (80 ± 3).
If the calibration check falls outside the tolerance, contact DRC’s service office for assistance and support.

Testing anvil

The stainless steel calibration anvil TAM100 for the sclerometer verification is characterized by a hardness of
57.60 HRC (Rockwell Hardness type C), a mass of 16 kg and a diameter of about 150 mm. The verification of
the calibration with anvil does not guarantee that diverse sclerometers will produce the same results in other
points of the sclerometric scale. In order to verify the calibration of the sclerometer, the stainless steel anvil
must be placed on a rigid surface. Operate the instrument at least three times prior to initiating the readings
from the calibration anvil, to ensure that the mechanics are operating correctly. Then, following this
procedure, insert the sclerometer in the anvil guide ring and carry out a series of strikes (no. = 10). The
average bounce index of the sclerometric strikes, performed with DRC sclerometers on the calibration anvil
TAM100, must be 80 ± 3.

25
17 Standards
Ectha PRO digital test hammer, Ectha 1000 mechanical test hammer and TAM 100 testing anvil, made by DRC Diagnostic Research Company have been
constructed in full compliance with reference standards.

o Standard ISO/DIS 8045

o EN 12 504-2
o ENV 206
o DIN 1048 parte 2
o BS 1881 parte 202
o ASTM C 805
o NFP 18-417
o B 15-225
o JGJ/T 23-2001
o JJG 817-1993

26
18 Correlation curves
The correlation curves that follow provide an estimate of the compressive strength of the concrete.
The curves are the results of experiments carried out by DRC with the Polytechnic University of Marche on concrete with characteristics of Central Italy.
The curves are indicative and are used to estimate the compressive strength. To determine the compressive strength, is necessary to calibrate the hammer
with the direct evidence and realize the correlation curves of the material.

MPa - Angle +90°

27
 MPa - Angle 0°

28
 MPa - Angle -90°

29
19 Accessories and technical data
Ectha PRO is supplied with a rigid transport case model IP67 complete with the following accessories:

The kit includes: Performance

o Ectha PRO digital test hammer o Measure range: 5-120 N/mm²
o Abrasion stone o Impact energy: 2,207 Nm
o Plastic case for stone o Limit: thickness > 100 mm
o Plastic grid 30x30 cm Mechanical
o Pencil o External part: aluminium Lega 6060 - 11S
o Fenolftaleina 100ml
o Heat treatment: NIT-OX
o Paper note
o Internal organs impact: anodizing oxidation
o Operating manual
OX
o Calibration report
o Rechargeable feeder o Handle: glass-filled nylon
o Rigid case IP67 Physical
o Mini-portable Bluetooth printer o Dimensions: 320 x 65 x 80 mm
(optional purchasable at DRC). o Weight: 1,4 Kg
o Package weight: 5 Kg
If the indicated accessories are not o Package dimensions: 420 x 280 x 180 mm
present, please contact DRC’s offices. Electronic
o PCB board: Intel processor
o Display colours
o Lithium battery life: for 10 continuous
hours
o Reading: optical - capacitive
o Interface: USB
o Memory: micro SD 8 Gb

30