Non-destructive (NDT) and minor-destructive (MDT) testing tools to support the structural characterization of adobe constructions

Adobe constructions are widely used worldwide as low-cost vernacular buildings and also as monuments and historical constructions. Beside low cost these materials have excellent thermal and acoustic properties. Some challenges of this material involves durability and high vulnerability to seismic motions due to its relatively high weight and brittleness. To improve safety levels of existing adobe structures it is often necessary to strengthen or retrofit them based on a structural characterization. The structural characterization requires assessment of the in situ condition, geometry, engineering properties of existing adobe construction and buildings using minimal to no intrusion. In this chapter we present a general overview of commonly used NDT and MDT methods for the assessment of existing adobe construction to obtain information such as: detailed geometry information, damage mapping, and multi-scale mechanical and physical characterization. Additional to literature review summarizing different applications of NDT and MDT, this chapter presents four case studies related to projects in Peru recently performed by the research group led by the first author. The descriptions and results of NDT and MDT tests carried out at these case studies highlight how the use of several NDT and MDT methodologies complement each other and allow a suitable multi-scale characterization of existing adobe structural systems, that can successfully be used for the diagnosis, and design of intervention and retrofit measures as needed.