Diagnostics of Constructions - BMEEOEMMsFST01-00

4

name	Dr. Nehme Salem Georges
academic rank	Associate professor
email	salem.nehme@emk.bme.hu

Department of Construction Materials and Technologies

hungarian

1 September 2025

During the course, master's students will acquire the methods of visual inspection, condition assessment and structural diagnosis of civil engineering structures and engineering works: data collection, on-site inspections, sampling, laboratory tests. The student will become familiar with the expert activities of the construction field and must be able to apply the above-mentioned methods when preparing an expertise, e.g. strength, physical and chemical tests of concrete, reinforced concrete, stone, masonry elements, steel and wooden structures. Destructive and non-destructive tests. Diagnostics of structures. Diagnostics of building structures. Wetting and salt contamination of walls. Investigation of the causes of damage.

Lectures, laboratory seminars, written and oral communication, optional individual and group assignments, work organization techniques.

1. Introduction. Tasks of structural diagnostics. 2. Diagnostics of wooden structures. Condition assessment after biological pests. 3. Diagnostics of facade wall structures 4. Diagnostics of damp basement and plinth wall structures. Diagnostics of windows and doors. Determination of layer order, measurement and registration of temperature and humidity, CO2 measurement. 5. Types of cracks. Measurement and registration of crack width on the surface of the concrete structure and on the surface of the steel insert. Determination of crack depth. Waviness measurement, flatness measurement, load cell, stress measurement, 6. Diagnostics of steel structures. Endoscopic examination, thickness measurement, corrosion, welds, carbon content measurement, weldability, surface hardness measurement. 7. Destructive strength tests (preparation and evaluation of samples). Search for reinforcing steel, Determination of concrete cover and the effect of reinforcing steel on the fracture results of core samples. 8. Semi-destructive strength tests (disk tear-off test, pin pull-out test, core breakout test, probe penetration test, angle penetration test, dust sampling, CM concrete moisture test). 9. Non-destructive strength tests (Surface hardness test e.g. Schmidt hammer test, Poldi hammer test; Ultrasonic tests). 10. Tests of physical and chemical characteristics (porosity test, iron search, carbonation test - pH value determination - chloride ion content determination, CANIN test, .....). 11. Diagnostics of masonry structures, on-site tests, causes of cracks, testing of masonry mortar 12. Testing of bauxite concrete structures. Laboratory tests 13. Laboratory tests (chloride migration test, X-ray diffraction, derivatography, Scanning Microscope (SEM) test, SRT pendulum test: also on-site. 14. Semi-annual summary, Case studies
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.

• Everett, Alan: Materials. Mitchel's building series. ISBN 0-7134-5442-3 • Mindess, Sidney: Concrete. Civil engineering and Engineering Mechanics series. ISBN 0-13-167106-5 • Construction Materials Their nature and behaviour Fourth edition Edited by Peter Domone and John Illston ISBN 0-203-92757-5 Master e-book ISBN • Wood Handbook - Wood as an engineering material Forest Products Laboratory. 1999. Wood handbook—Wood as an engineering material. Gen. Tech. Rep. FPL–GTR–113. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 463 p.

-

As stated on the department's website, or by prior arrangement via e-mail (fenyvesi.oliver@emk.bme.hu).

2025/2026 semester II

The learning outcomes stated in point 2.2 are assessed on the basis of a written closed book midterm test (MT), a homework assignment (HW), written and verbal examination and active participation in the lectures. At least 70% of the lectures and laboratory seminars must be attended.

Assessment Name (Type)	Code	Assessed Learning Outcomes
1 midterm test	MT	A1.–A7. B1.-B5.
1 home assignment	HW	A1.–A7. B1.-B5.
Active participation on the classes	A	C1. - C3.
Examination	E	A1-A67 B1-B5, C1-C3, D1.-D2.

The dates of deadlines of assignments/homework can be found in the detailed course schedule on the subject’s website.

50% performance achieved separately in the MT and HW. In the case of an examination course registration (with valid signatire), the better of the previous and recent mid-term results will be taken into account by the final evaluation. Previously obtained mid-term results in the subject that can be taken into account when determining the exam grade can be accepted retroactively for up to 6 semesters.

1) The midterm test assessment (MT) can be made up or improved free of charge during the academic period – for the first time – and for the second time during the make-up week, for an extra fee. 2) Active participation – due to its nature – cannot be made up, improved, or otherwise excluded or replaced. 3) Homework assignments can be submitted late, for a fee, until 4:00 PM on the last day of the repetition period.

1 September 2025

2025/2026 semester II