ISSN: 1945-7553
CODEN: JTEVAB
Published Online: 15 November 2007
Page Count: 8

Ultrasonic Testing of Concrete Structures Using Indirect Transmission

Stergiopoulou, Christina
Research Assistant and Professors, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

McCuen, Richard H.
Research Assistant and Professors, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Aggour, M. Sherif
Research Assistant and Professors, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

(Received 23 March 2007; accepted 10 October 2007)

Abstract

Laboratory studies and computer simulation were used to develop a procedure for the interpretation of the results of nondestructive testing of concrete structures using the indirect transmission method. The results of the laboratory studies indicate a 10-cm spacing is best for making ultrasonic pulse measurements. A new method of calculating the velocity of the pulse is presented. The method enables concrete quality to be evaluated over short distances rather than the existing method which gives a mean velocity over an extended distance. The method can thus determine the extent of delamination of concrete at a specific location. The laboratory analyses verified using computer simulations show the effect of concrete heterogeneity on the detection of variation in concrete quality. Ultrasonic pulse velocities have a coefficient of variation of about 2 %.

Keywords:
concrete, nondestructive testing, computer simulation, ultrasonic testing, indirect transmission

Paper ID: JTE101158
DOI: 10.1520/JTE101158
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