LAB 2 : Standard Test Method for Pulse Velocity Through Concrete

Scope & significance

 It used to obtain information about the interior of a concrete structure with two accessible
surfaces.

Apparatus
 Pulse Velocity meter

Related theory
Pulse velocity meter
The most known instrument, which we used in the lab, is the PUNDIT (Portable Ultrasonic Non-
destructive Digital Indicating Tester) this comes with two transducers and one calibration rod to adjust the
readings before any test.
Note : one of important things in this test is having a good acoustical coupling between the face of each
transducer and the concrete surface by using a medium such as grease, hand cream or jelly.

Three Arrangement of Transducer

A. Opposite faces (direct method)
B. Adjacent faces (semi - direct method)
C. Same faces (indirect method)
Advantages

 Low cost
 Fast test
 Simple
 Well established
 No damage to the structure Represent the quality of the concrete (internal compressive strength)

Limitations

 Accessible surfaces are needed

 Mains needed Good contacts needed between concrete surfaces and transmitters
 Calibration is needed to get real readings Indirect results (calculations are needed)
 Accurate measurements needed Calculation

Procedure:

 Switch on the mains and apply little amount of grease to the two transducers faces.
 Use the reference bar to check and adjust the time reading on the instrument to be the same as the
calibration number on the bar.
 In order to determine the pulse velocity it is compulsory to measure the path length between the
two transducers.
 Press the transducers hardly onto the concrete opposite surfaces, and hold for a while to allow
readings to be taken, wait until a consistent reading appears on the display screen of the
instrument.
 Record the stable reading, which is the time (T) in microseconds (μs)