Ultrasonic Testing for Evaluation of Stabilized Mixtures

Abstract

Tests were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using ultrasonic testing for stabilization applications. The ultrasonic testing consisted of determining primary-wave (P-wave) velocities of stabilized mixtures. The ultrasonic method involves a simple and fast test procedure that allows for repeated assessment of a sample over time. For the testing program, tests were conducted on a high plasticity clay stabilized with lime, cement, and fly ash and a Type F fly ash stabilized with lime and cement. Compaction characteristics of the mixtures were determined using modified Proctor tests. Unconfined compression tests were used to determine compressive strength and modulus of the mixtures immediately after sample preparation and after 7-day and 28-day curing periods. Ultrasonic tests were conducted on the compaction and compression test samples, and the test results were correlated. Variation of velocity with water content demonstrated a similar trend to the variation of dry density with water content for the soil. The velocity increased with increasing density for both soil and fly ash. For compression characteristics, velocity increased with increasing modulus for both soil and fly ash. The velocity correlated well with the unconfined compressive strength of fly ash samples. However, this trend was not as well defined for the soil. Overall, the test program demonstrated that ultrasonic testing can be used effectively to evaluate stabilized materials. P-wave velocity correlations can be used to verify the quality of field placement of stabilized mixtures and to improve mixture design procedures.

Non-destructive testing of cementitiously stabilized materials using ultrasonic pulse velocity test

“…Many studies have been conducted using the ultrasonic pulse velocity tests for quality control and defect detection in civil infrastructures and P-wave velocity related to material density and strength is well known for concrete (Williams and Nazarian, 2007). However, there is a dearth of studies that apply the use of non-destructive testing and its relationship to structural properties for the wide range of CSMs involving binders from cement to fly ash to lime (Su et al, 2013;Toohey and Mooney, 2012;Yesiller et al, 2001). This method is quick and non-destructive for such applications and its correlation with destructive mechanical property tests warrant exploration.…”

“…The use of seismic modulus tests to monitor the curing or maturity of CSM in a non-destructive way is garnering interest from researchers (Pucci, 2012;Su, 2012;Yesiller et al, 2001). Since the ultrasonic pulse velocity test is a non-destructive testing method, the measurement of variation of P-wave velocity (V p ) with curing time for CSMs is possible.…”

“…Tests to evaluate the feasibility of using ultrasonic testing in stabilized mixtures was also conducted (Yesiller et al, 2001). Ultrasonic testing consisted of determining P-wave velocities of stabilized mixtures.…”

Geotechnical Characterization of Clinker-Stabilized Fly Ash - Coal Mine Overburden Mixes for Subbase of Mine Haul Road

“…The ultrasonic pulse velocity method, a nondestructive method to evaluate the quality of the composite materials (Yesiller et al, 2001), is influenced by factors such as direction, travel distance, diameter of sensors, and material properties. Laboratory ultrasonic velocity measurements have been used to study the elastic behavior of geologic materials (Dimter et al, 2011).…”

“…Limited studies have been carried out to evaluate its application on stabilized mixes (Ferreira and Camarini, 2001;Yesiller et al, 2001).…”