Ultrasonic signal modality: A novel approach for concrete damage evaluation

Abstract

5In this paper, a new approach for characterizing material damage, using ultrasonic waves, is proposed. Two concrete series with two types of cement with different C 3 A content and similar mechanical properties were subjected to external sulphate attack (ESA) and evaluated using a novel Recurrence Plot Quantification Analysis (RQA) method. This brand new technique was compared with several methods, such as mechanical tests (compressive and flexural strength determination), dynamic test (dynamic modulus) measurements, and traditional 10 ultrasonic measurements (propagation velocity and ultrasonic wave attenuation). In these experiments, RQA showed a high sensitivity to damage in spoiled series, improving the reliability of damage detection with ultrasonics in non-homogeneous materials compared to other non-destructive techniques. Interesting advantages of this new non-destructive technique are: a) the RQA parameter is normalized (range of 0 to 1); b) a calibration process is not required; c) the values of its standard deviation show the dispersion of the damage. It can contribute greatly

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity—Compressive Strength Relationship for Portland Cement Mortars Cured at Different Conditions

“…In general, the sensitivity in the case of little cracking damage remains poor, and then, the results cannot provide a quantitative measure of the damage [26,27]. Porosity of construction materials has been reported previously [28] and Hernández et al [7,8] utilized UPV test to determine the porosity of cement mortars.…”

A Study on Initial Setting and Modulus of Elasticity of AAM Mortar Mixed with CSA Expansive Additive Using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

“…The use of the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), a type of non-destructive testing, can detect the physical properties of a specimen continuously and successively without causing damage. With respect to the analysis of the properties of concrete, UPV has been verified by many researchers [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Öztürk et al detected the early hydration status of cement materials through ultrasonic reflectance measurements.…”

Comparative Study of Coupling Techniques in Lamb Wave Testing of Metallic and Cementitious Plates

“…To determine mortar properties, the same mix was prepared and moulded in 40 × 40 × 160 mm 3 specimens (according to UNE EN 196-1:2005 [92]) and cured in the same conditions. The bulk wave velocities of both stainless steel and mortar were measured experimentally using the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) method [93,94].…”