Strength of Concrete through Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity and Uniaxial Compressive Strength

Abstract

The noninvasive technique of ultrasonic pulse rate (UPV) is increasingly used in the evaluation of the quality of concrete, providing information about the integrity of structures and preventing possible disasters. Therefore, for its direct application, it is necessary to have a prior correlation between the noninvasive UPV technique and the invasive uniaxial compression resistance (UCS) assay. While correlations have been determined by various authors, each has been given specific conditions and guidelines by the authors because there is no standardized way to perform the correlations. Rather, there are only experimental tests that have generated experimental correlations-both linear and logarithmic-with different graphic shapes. Therefore, this research aims, first, to validate the aforementioned relationship, which allows the compressure resistance of concrete (f'c) to be determined for a given design of concrete mixtures following the American Concrete Institute (ACI. 211.1.). Second, it aims to determine the most accurate trend and the possibly correct form of the correlation plot between the UPV and UCS. In the first instance, 15 plain concrete specimens were designed with an f'c of 28 MPa, whose dosage was carried out following the method of ACI. 211.1. Then, UPV and UCS tests were performed according to regulations in the first 28 days of curing the specimens. Finally, a logarithmic correlation was obtained between the UPV values and the values of the invasive tests for the UCS of concrete. A graphical analysis with some existing correlations of other investigations was then performed, and a similarity in the logarithmic tendency, with a coefficient of determination greater than that of the linear trend, was observed.

Mechanical Characteristics and Self-Monitoring Technique of Smart Cementitious Mixtures with Carbon Fiber and Graphite Powder as Hybrid Functional Additives

“…By taking a careful look at Figure 01, the UPV values of the mixtures reinforced with steel fibers are the best in pulse speed (4328 m/s), followed by those reinforced with polyolefin fibers at a speed of 4129 m/s. These results are consistent with what was reached by [35] at 28 days, while all the mixtures reinforced with polypropylene showed a significant decrease in pulse speed, even with the plain mixtures, which reached 3,639 m/s. However, all mixtures can be regarded as good homogeneous mixtures.…”

Compressive strength assessment of high strength concrete after fire using ultrasonic test method

“…More recently, Hedjazi & Castillo (2020) evaluated the effect of the addition of different types of fibers in concrete through resistance testing and its correlation with the measurement of ultrasonic pulse velocity at the ages of 7, 28 and 56 days; a new empirical equation of correlation was obtained by the authors for the different types of fibers. Zárate et al (2022) obtained linear and logarithmic correlations with good correlation between the measurement of ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and resistance at 28 days for cylindrical concrete specimens. A similar work was carried out by Ofuyatan et al (2021), but with cubic specimens of concrete; the correlation obtained between compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) was linear.…”

Correlation of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity with Porosity and Compressive Strength of Mortar with Limestone for Building Quality Assessment

“…It can be understood well because the denser the test object, the higher the ultrasonic wave propagation speed. Therefore, the UPV test is suitable for evaluating existing buildings [17]- [25]. However, at present, no standard correlation equation can be used to estimate the quality of mortar in various quality ranges by means of non-destructive test (NDT) techniques.…”