---
title: "Destructive and non-destructive tests in masonry"
subject: "Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure"
chapter: 10
key: "semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure:destructive-ndt-masonry-list"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/destructive-ndt-masonry-list
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Destructive and non-destructive tests in masonry

Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure · Chapter 10: Testing of masonry elements

- Asked in: 2072 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Video: [Non Destructive Testing Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZAw8CRz6J8) — SCOE Youtube
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/destructive-ndt-masonry-list
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/chapter-10

## Question

List the names of destructive tests and non-destructive (NDT) tests in masonry wall.

## Short answer

Destructive tests include compressive strength of wall panels/prisms, diagonal shear, flexural bond tests, flat-jack, push shear, core extraction and mortar sampling. Non-destructive tests include visual inspection, rebound hammer, ultrasonic pulse velocity, sonic tomography, ground penetrating radar, infrared thermography, and borescope.

## Answer

**Destructive (and minor-destructive) tests on masonry wall**

1. Compressive strength test of wall panel or prism (laboratory).
2. Diagonal shear (diagonal compression) test of a panel.
3. Flexural (bond wrench or beam) tests; tensile bond strength.
4. Flat-jack test (minor-destructive, in situ): slot cut in mortar joint.
5. Push shear test (minor-destructive, in situ).
6. Core extraction and testing, and mortar sampling.

**Non-destructive tests (NDT)**

1. Visual inspection and crack monitoring.
2. Rebound (Schmidt) hammer test.
3. Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and sonic tests.
4. Elastic wave (sonic) tomography.
5. Ground penetrating radar (GPR).
6. Infrared thermography.
7. Borescope / endoscopy; moisture meters.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which is a destructive/minor-destructive test?
   A. Diagonal shear test
   B. Rebound hammer
   C. Infrared thermography
   D. Ground penetrating radar
   Answer: A. Diagonal shear loads a panel to failure. (Key point: Destructive)

2. Which is non-destructive?
   A. Ultrasonic pulse velocity
   B. Flat-jack
   C. Push shear
   D. Core extraction
   Answer: A. UPV leaves the wall undamaged. (Key point: NDT)

3. Which pair is minor-destructive in situ?
   A. Flat-jack and push shear
   B. Rebound hammer and UPV
   C. GPR and thermography
   D. Borescope and visual
   Answer: A. Flat jack needs a slot; push shear frees a brick. (Key point: Minor-destructive in situ)

## Related in Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure

- [Non-destructive tests for masonry](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Andt-masonry-tests) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 10, asked 3×
- [Destructive tests of concrete](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Adestructive-tests-concrete) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 5
- [Importance of non-destructive testing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Andt-importance) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 5, asked 4×
- [Non-destructive testing methods for concrete](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Andt-methods-concrete) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 5, asked 4×
- [NDT: importance and methods](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Andt-importance-and-methods) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 5, asked 3×
- [Compressive and diagonal shear tests of masonry](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Acompressive-diagonal-shear-tests) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 10, asked 2×

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