ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY

OBJECTIVE:

To study about the ultrasonic pulse velocity and its application in the laboratory
and determine the quality of concrete.

REFERENCE:

IS 13311(PART -1)-1992

WORKING PRINCIPLE:

i. Ultrasonic pulse is produced by the transducer which is held with the one
surface of concrete member under test
ii. After traversing a known path length in concrete, pulse of vibration is
converted into an electrical signal by the second transducer held in contact
with the other surface of concrete member
iii. Electronic timing circuit enables the transit time of the pulse to be measured
iv. To ensure the ultrasonic pulses generated at the transmitting transducer pass
into the concrete and detected by the receiving transducer there must be
adequate coupling between concrete and face of each transducer. Typical
couplants are petrolleum jelly, grease or liquid soap

FORMULA:
Velocity = Distance between transducer

Time taken
APPARATUS REQUIRED:

i. Electrical pulse generator (v meter)

ii. Transducer – one pair
iii. Amplifier
iv. Electronic timing device
PROCEDURE:

1. The Surface of the member is smoothen with stone by rubbing gently .

2. Grease is applied to transmitting -face of both the transducer.
3. Depending on Member a method measurement (Direct, Semi direct &
Indirect) is chosen.
4. Both the transducers are placed effectively at a taken known distance and
path length is measured
5. The electric pulse generator is turned on, the time, velocity to travel the path
length member are rolled from digital monitor
PULSE VELOCITY CONCRETE QUALITY

>4.0 km/s Very good to excellent

Good to very good, slight porosity

3.5 – 4.0 km/s
may exist

Satisfactory but loss of integrity is

3.0 – 3.5 km/s
suspected

<3.0 km/s Poor and los of integrity exist.

Method Width (mm) Time (μsec) Velocity Inference
Direct
Indirect
Semi direct

Model calculation:

RESULT:

Thus the study of ultrasonic pulse velocity and concrete quality is determined.