Development of a model to estimate concrete compressive strength using ultrasonic testing based on previous models

Abstract

Ultrasonic pulse velocity test is one of the most important non-destructive tests for exploring the essential properties of concrete such as compressive strength. Many previous researchers have examined relationship between ultrasonic pulse velocity and the compressive strength of concrete, developing equations to link these factors; however, comparing the calculated compressive strengths created by applying different equations to the same ultrasonic pulse velocity value, the results are rarely even close. This research aimed to develop new model based on seven such previous equations using a statistical program (Minitab) to calculate the compressive strength of concrete more accurately. The compressive strength thus obtained was equal or very close to the average results obtained from all seven equations, and the results were verified against a dataset of 100 results from ultrasonic pulse velocity test for multi-story concrete building. The obtained results were also compared with the average results from the seven equations used within the experimental program. The comparisons confirmed that, the new model can be used as an alternative approach to calculating compressive strength instead of using all seven equations.