Contribution to research of concrete strength prediction by ultrasonic

pulse velocity test: influence of cement consumption

Andr Luiz Santos Alves; Francisco David Meneses dos Santos; Francisco Carvalho de Arruda Coelho;
(1) Undergraduated Researcher, Science Without Borders Student (CAPES / HEA), NUI Galway, Universidade Estadual Vale do Acara
(2) Professor, PhD, Universidade Estadual Vale do Acara
andre.eng.civ@hotmail.com

MOTIVATION

RESULTS

The non-destructive testing (NDT) are tests that when

are applied cause little or no damage to the evaluated
structure. The NDT are generally less expensive than
conventional tests, because they are faster and applied
in most cases in situ. To get good results, some
researchers say that two or more NDT should be applied
in a structure. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy
of the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) used alone to
determine the strength of concrete, and to create a
numerical model that correlates compressive strength
and UPV, in order to reduce costs in the evaluation
process of the resistance of concrete specimens.

Figure 1: Compressive strenght test results

METHODS
The UPV test is based on the fact that mechanical
waves are faster through solids than fluids, so a denser
concrete and theoretically stronger, so the concrete let
the ultrasonic pulse go faster through it. So we can
conclude that as greater is the strength of the concrete
faster will be the ultrasonic wave through it.
Three concrete with different mix design have been
made (T1, T2, T3) (table 1) by varying the cement
consumption by 322, 437 and 544 kg/m, respectively
and keeping constant the mortar content (51%).

Figure 2: Ultrasonic pulse velocity test results

Table 1 Mix Design Proportions (mass)

Referen
Cement
ce

Sand

Coarse
Aggrega
te

Water

Aditive

T1

2,1

3,09

0,66

T2

1,47

2,43

0,44

0,005

T3

1,05

1,99

0,38

0,005

For each mix design were made 36 cylindrical samples

(CS) (10x20 cm) that were analyzed at the ages of 3
days (4 CS), 7 days (4 CS), 14 days (8 CS), 28 days (12
CS), 91 days (8 CS). Each CS was analyzed by the
resistance to axial compression test and ultrasonic
pulse velocity test.

Figure 3: Correlation between both test results

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
The variation in cement consumption has significant
influence on concrete compressive strength but has
little influence on UPV. To go deeper on this analysis, it
is needed to analyze some concretes with different
mortar content and same cement consumption.