ADVANCED CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

CE484/CE684
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
(Date:18-11-2019)

Anshul Kaushik
1901204004
Research Scholar
Department of Civil Engineering
IIT Indore
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Contents
 Introduction
 Apparatus
 Procedure
 Assessments using UPV
 References

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INTRODUCTION
• It is an in-situ NDT which is used to check the quality of concrete
• Done as per IS 516(Part5/Sec 1): 2018

Principle:

• It is based on the measurement of pulse transmission velocity through concrete

• Ultrasonic pulse is generated by electroacoustical transducer, and induced in
concrete.
• After undergoing multiple reflections, at boundaries of different material
phases, wave is detected by receiver.
• For good quality concrete: Higher values of pulse velocity
• Pulse velocity depends on the elastic properties of material and is independent
of material geometry

Fig. Ultrasonic Pulse

Velocity test

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INTRODUCTION
• Pulse velocity ‘v’ is given as:
v=L/t

Where, L=Path length

t=Time taken by wave to travel path length

• Following assessments can be done using UPV:

1. Qualitative assessment of strength of concrete

2. Discontinuity like cracks and voids
3. Depth of surface cracks
4. Homogeneity of concrete
5. Change in structure of concrete with age
6. Dynamic elastic modulus

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APPARATUS
1. Electrical pulse generator
2. Transducers
3. Amplifier
4. Time measuring device

• Frequency range- 10 to 200 kHz

• High frequency (60-200 kHz) for
short path length (50 mm)
• Low frequency (10-40 kHz) for path
length upto 15 m
• Generally 25-100 kHz used

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PROCEDURE
1. Surface Preparation
2. Ultrasonic measurements:
• Ultrasonic pulse is generated by transducer in contact with one surface of
concrete
• Pulse is received by receiving transducer at other surface of concrete

Arrangement of Transducers:
i. Direct transmission (Cross probing)

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PROCEDURE
ii. Semi-direct transmission

iii. Indirect transmission (surface probing)

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PROCEDURE

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PROCEDURE
Influence of test conditions:
1. Surface condition and moisture content of concrete
2. Path length, shape, and size of member
3. Temperature of concrete
4. Influence of stress
5. Presence of reinforcing bars

Interpretation of test results:

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ASSESSMENTS USING UPV
1. Determination of concrete uniformity
2. Detection of defects:
i. Estimating depth of surface cracks:
• Crack depth(h) is given as

𝑇𝑐2
ℎ =𝑥 2−1
𝑇𝑠
Where, Tc=Travel time around the crack
Ts= Travel time along surface without crack

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ASSESSMENTS USING UPV…
ii. Estimating thickness of layer (BS 1881-203:1986):

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ASSESSMENTS USING UPV
Thickness of concrete layer is given as,
𝑥0 𝑣𝑠 − 𝑣𝑑
𝑡=
2 𝑣𝑠 + 𝑣𝑑
Where, vs =pulse velocity in underlying concrete
vd =pulse velocity in upper concrete

3. Determination of Dynamic Young’s Modulus:

𝜌(1 + 𝜇)(1 − 2𝜇)

𝐸=
1−𝜇

Where, 𝜌 is the density of concrete in kg/m3

𝜇 is the poisson’s ratio which varies 0.2 to 0.35 having average value 0.24

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Some other codes of practice for testing of
concrete
ASTM standard:
• C597-09 : Standard test method for pulse velocity through concrete

British standard:
• BS 1881-203:1986 : Recommendations for measurement of velocity
of ultrasonic pulses in concrete

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REFERENCES
 IS 516(Part5/Sec 1): 2018. Ultrasonic pulse velocity testing
 C597-09 : Standard test method for pulse velocity through concrete
 BS 1881-203:1986 : Recommendations for measurement of velocity of
ultrasonic pulses in concrete

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