Civil Engineering Dept, ISM Dhanbad

Structural Engg Laboratory (MTech)

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
Objective of the experiment: To determine the quality of the concrete using ultrasonic pulse
velocity.
Theory: This is one of the non-destructive testing methods for concrete. The ultrasonic pulse
velocity method could be used to establish the homogeneity of the concrete, the quality of the
concrete in relation to standard requirements, the quality of one element of concrete in
relation to another, and the values of dynamic elastic modulus of the concrete. The ultrasonic
pulse is generated by an electro-acoustical transducer. When the pulse is induced into the
concrete from a transducer, it undergoes multiple reflections at the boundaries of the material.
A complex system of stress waves is developed which includes longitudinal (compression),
shear (transverse) and surface (Rayleigh) waves. The receiving transducer detects the onset of
the longitudinal waves, which is the fastest. Because the velocity of the pulses is almost
independent of the geometry of the material through which they pass and depends only on its
elastic properties, hence pulse velocity method is a convenient technique for investigating
structural concrete. In case of poorer quality, lower velocities are obtained. If there is a crack,
void or flaw inside the concrete which comes in the way of transmission of the pulses, the
pulse strength is attenuated and it passes around the discontinuity, thereby making the path
length longer. Consequently, lower velocities are obtained. The actual pulse velocity obtained
depends primarily upon the materials and mix proportions of concrete. Density and modulus
of elasticity of aggregate also significantly affect the pulse velocity.
The pulse velocity is determined by
Path length (l )
Pulse velocity
Transit ti me (t )
Where path length is the distance of pulse velocity travelled from transmitter to receiver in
mm, transmit time in microsecond (s) gives the velocity in Km/s.

Methods of propagating ultrasonic pulse:

In the figure
a. Direct transmission.
b. Semi-direct transmission.
c. Indirect or surface transmission.
Procedure:
Connect the mains led to the socket at the back power supply.
Connect the crystal probes to TRANS and REC terminals.
Put Sl.No
Path
Transmit
Pulse
Quality of
on
.
length (l)
Time (t)
Velocity (l/t)
Concrete
of
and

the grease
the faces
the probes
press the
faces
together
and if required use the SET ZERO control for initial correction, so that the display
reads 00.0+/-1.
Now the grease the opposite face of the specimen across which the measurement has
to be made. Put a probe on these greased spots and apply pressure on them.
Now read the display and note down the reading, which is a transmit time in
microseconds.
Measure the distance between the two faces of the specimen.
Velocity of the ultrasonic pulse can be calculated from the above equation.
The quality of the concrete is known by comparing the velocity from the Table 2 of Indian
Standard code IS 13311 (Part 1):1992.
Velocity Criterion for Concrete Quality Grading [IS13311 (Part 1):1992]
Sl.No
Pulse velocity by cross probing (Km/s)
1
Above 4.5
2
3.5 to 4.5
3
3 to 3.5
4
Below 3
Note - In case of doubtful quality it may be necessary to carry out further tests.

Observation table:

Concrete quality grading

Excellent
Good
Medium
Doubtful

Result: The quality of the concrete mould (block/cylinder) is found _______.

The relation of pulse velocity and the properties of materials can be given as
E
V=
---- (1)

Where E is Elasticity modulus in N/mm2;

is density of material in KN/mm3