ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY TEST

Ultrasonic testing of concrete or ultrasonic pulse velocity test on concrete is

a non-destructive test to assess the homogeneity and integrity of concrete.

Ultrasonic Pulse velocity Test can be used to access these things:

1. Qualitative assessment of strength of concrete, its gradation in

different locations of structural members and plotting the same.
2. Any discontinuity in cross section like cracks, cover concrete
delamination etc.
3. Depth of surface cracks.

Ultrasonic Testing of Concrete

Ultrasonic pulse velocity test consists of measuring travel time, T of

ultrasonic pulse of 50 to 54 kHz, produced by an electro-acoustical
transducer, held in contact with one surface of the concrete member under
test and receiving the same by a similar transducer in contact with the
surface at the other end.

With the path length L, (i.e. the distance between the two probes) and time
of travel T, the pulse velocity (V=L/T) is calculated.

Higher the elastic modulus, density and integrity of the concrete, higher is
the pulse velocity. The ultrasonic pulse velocity depends on the density and
elastic properties of the material being tested.

The pulse velocity in concrete may be influenced by:

a. Path length: The influence of path length will be negligible provided

it is not less than 100mm when 20mm size aggregate is used
b. Lateral dimension of the specimen tested : Pulse velocity will not
be influenced by the shape of the specimen, provided its least lateral
 dimension (i.e. its dimension measured at right angles to the pulse
path) is not less than the wavelength of the pulse vibrations
c. Presence of reinforcement steel: pulse velocity measurements made
in the vicinity of reinforcing steel may be high and not representative
of the concrete. The influence of the reinforcement is generally small
if the bars runs in a direction at right angles to the pulse path and the
quantity of steel is small in relation to the path length.
d. Moisture Content of Concrete: Moisture content of the concrete can
have a small but significant influence on the pulse velocity. In general,
the velocity is increased with increased moisture content, the
influence being more marked for lower quality concrete.

Table Shows the Quality of Concrete base on the Ultrasonic Pulse velocity Test

S.No Pulse velocity Concrete Quality

1 >4 Km/sec Very good to excellent

2 3.5 – 4 Km/sec Good to very good, slight porosity may exist

3 3 – 3.5 Km/sec Satisfactory but loss of integrity is suspected

4 < 3 Km/sec Poor and loss of integrity exist.

Detection of defects With Ultrasonic Test on Concrete

When ultrasonic pulse travelling through concrete meets a concrete-air
interface, there is a negligible transmission of energy across this interface
so that any air filled crack or void lying directly between the transducers
will obstruct the direct beam of ultrasonic pulses. The first pulse to arrive at
the receiving transducer will have been directed around the periphery of the
defect and the time will be longer than in similar concrete with no defect.

Estimating the Depth of Concrete

An estimate of the depth of a crack visible at the surface can be obtained by
the transit times across the crack for two different arrangements of the
transducers placed on the surface.One suitable arrangement is one in which
the transmitting and receiving transducers are placed on opposite sides of
the crack and distant from it. Two values of X are chosen, one being twice
that of the other, and the transmit times corresponding to these are measured.

Procedure for Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test

i) Preparing for use: Before switching on the ‘V’ meter, the transducers
should be connected to the sockets marked “TRAN” and ” REC”.
The ‘V’ meter may be operated with either:

 The internal battery,

 An external battery or

 The A.C line.

ii) Set reference: A reference bar is provided to check the instrument zero.
The pulse time for the bar is engraved on it. Apply a smear of grease to the
transducer faces before placing it on the opposite ends of the bar. Adjust the
‘SET REF’ control until the reference bar transit time is obtained on the
instrument read-out.
iii) Range selection: For maximum accuracy, it is recommended that the
0.1 microsecond range be selected for path length upto 400mm.
iv) Pulse velocity: Having determined the most suitable test points on the
material to be tested, make careful measurement of the path length ‘L’.
Apply couplant to the surfaces of the transducers and press it hard onto the
surface of the material.
Do not move the transducers while a reading is being taken, as this can
generate noise signals and errors in measurements. Continue holding the
transducers onto the surface of the material until a consistent reading
appears on the display, which is the time in microsecond for the ultrasonic
pulse to travel the distance ‘L’.The mean value of the display readings
should be taken when the units digit hunts between two values.

Pulse velocity=(Path length/Travel time)

v) Separation of transducer leads: It is advisable to prevent the two
transducer leads from coming into close contact with each other when the
transit time measurements are being taken.

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test