Evaluating hardened concrete constituents by chemical analysis

This study emphasises the vital role of concrete quality in its service life, impacting structural integrity and longevity. Structural challenges may arise from factors such as material quality, construction methods, curing, design, and supervision. Despite advancements in non-destructive testing, accurately determining concrete constituents remains challenging. The research aims to review and experimentally investigate precise methods for determining concrete constituents, focusing on chemical analysis to quantify cement and aggregate content. The study meticulously examines 18 concrete mixtures with varying water-to-cement ratios, achieving 85%–72% precision for cement determination and 88% for aggregate determination. Higher cement content is associated with increased error margins in both determinations. This study serves as a comprehensive guide, illuminating forensic investigation methods and their strengths and limitations in determining concrete constituents. It significantly advances understanding of concrete composition and offers supportive documentation of substandard material quality in construction. Addressing this issue enhances construction practices, underscoring the importance of concrete quality throughout its service life. Enabling forensic accountability empowers necessary actions against defaulters, fostering a culture of structural integrity and excellence in forensic structural engineering.