FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING & EARTH RESOURCES

CONCRETE LABORATORY

SUBJECT CODE BAA 1931

SUBJECT ENGINEERING LAB. I

EXPERIMENT TITLE ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY TEST/PUNDIT

DATE OF 16th MAY 2018

GROUP NUMBER 5

SECTION 01G

GROUP MEMBER:
1) AA17105 – LOKE CHEE HOU
ID NUMBER & NAME 2) AA17018 – NUR ATIKAH BT SAMSUN
RAHMAN
3) AA17025 – MAZNIE BT MADRI
4) AA17021 – ENGKU AQILAH SYAKIRAH BT
ENGKU ROSLY
5) AA17030 – MUHAMAD FAIS BIN MOHMAD
RAFI

PERSON IN CHARGE ENCIK HJ MUHAMMAD NURUL FAKHRI RUSLI

REMARKS

ENDORSEMENT
 TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT PAGE NUMBER

i) INTRODUCTION 1

ii) OBJECTIVE 2

iii) APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE 3-5

iv) RESULTS 6-8

v) DISCUSSION 9 - 10

vi) CONCLUSION 11

vii) REFERENCE 12

viii) APPENDICES 12
INTRODUCTION

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity test is used to evaluate the material properties, to detect
defects on the concrete structures. In addition to physical deterioration of the concrete
structure is also access by UPV test.

Concrete material consist of two separate constitutes i.e. matrix and aggregates which
have different dynamic modulus of elasticity and strength properties. Transmitting transducer
is used to create Ultrasonic waves and receiving transducer is used to receive this stress
waves. And travel time of this stress wave from one point to another point is measured.
Distance measured between this points which plays a vital role in case of indirect method of
Transmission. Ultrasonic waves are totally independent to geometry of the specimen. It is
depends on material property, frequency of the stress wave, dynamic modulus of elasticity
and density of the material. In this study, the test on concrete specimens has been carried out
with different three methods namely direct, indirect and semi-direct methods.

1
OBJECTIVES

1) Determine the uniformity of concrete within structure

2
APPARATUS

1. Main control unit

3
PROCEDURES

1. The equipment is calibrated by placing the transducer and receiver at either ends
of the reference bar
2. The suitable 4 test location is choose for each transducer arrangement. The surface
of test location is clean , smooth and dry. Mould or formed surfaces id preferable,
if trowelled surfaces are unavoidable, the surface is rubbed smoothly using a
suitable polish material
3. The path length is measured using measuring tape or calipers.
4. Grease was applied to the surface of test location to ensure proper contact of the
transducers with the concrete surface
5. The transducers is placed at the chosen test location. The transducers are properly
in contact with concrete surface ensured.
6. Three readings was took per test location. Four readings were took for in-direct
transmission will be adequate to plot the best fit straight line.
7. The average reading for each test location is calculated. The best fit straight line is
plotted for in-direct transmission as shown in figure 3.the average velocity is
given by the slope of the best fit straight line.
8. The compressive strength of the test specimen is estimated by using the chart
provided
9. Figure 2 and following expression is used for crack depth detection.

𝑇2 2
h=x√( ) − 1
𝑇1

Where: T1= time taken without cracks

T2=time taken with crack

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5
RESULT

PUNDIT TEST / ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY

Testing result
Part Reading Path Transit Pulse Average

Length, s Time, t Velocity, v

(mm) (𝜇s) (V)

1 1st 150 35.4 4.247

2nd 150 36.3 4.132 4.276

3rd 150 53.7 4.451

2 1st 150 43.2 3.472

2nd 150 43.6 3.440 3.437

3rd 150 44.1 3.401

3 1st 150 37.9 3.958

2nd 150 43.0 3.488 3.726

3rd 150 40.2 3.731

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 Longitudinal Pulse (km/s) Concrete Quality

>4.5 Excellent
3.5-4.5 Good
3.0-3.5 Doubtful
2.0-3.0 Poor
(Table 1)

4.276+3.437+3.726
Average = 3

= 3.813 km/s (Good quality concrete)

Calculation:

Pulse Velocity, V = Path Length, s / Transit time, t ; expressed in 𝑚𝑚/𝜇𝑠

PART 1:
150
1st reading: V = 35.4 =4.237

150
2nd reading: V = 36.3 =4.132

150
3rd reading: V = 33.7 =4.451

Average =

4.247+4.132+4.451
=4.276
3

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PART 2:
150
1st reading: V = 43.2 =3.472

150
2nd reading: V = 43.6=3.440

150
3rd reading: V = 44.1=4.401

3.472+3.440+3.401
Average =
3

= 3.437

PART 3:
150
1st reading: V = = 3.958
37.9

150
2nd reading: V = = 3.488
43.0

150
3rd reading: V = = 3.731
40.2

3.958+3.488+3.731
Average : V = 3

= 3.726

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DISCUSSION

1) From the test results, give your comments on the quality of the test specimen.

From the test results, the average reading for Part 1 is 4.27kms-1, Part 2 is 3.44kms-1
and Part 3 is 3.72kms-1. The average velocity for the three parts of reading is 3.81kms-1. The
result of the test indicate the quality of concrete is good.

The differences of reading among 3 parts is maybe because the surface of one side of
the concrete is not even compared to the other side. There is also a mishandling of instrument
such as the transmitter and receiver are not tightly in contact with the surface of the concrete
during the measurement.

2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of the UPV test ?

One of the advantage of ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) testing is that it is a non-
destructive testing which can be applied on various structures. Concrete testing equipment that
uses ultrasonic pulses provides faster and more accurate result. Moreover, the test can be
conducted without causing any destruction or damages to the concrete specimen. Using an
ultrasonic pulse velocity test can help save money and time because it eliminates the need to
test, break, and throw away cylinder and cube specimens.

In an ultrasonic pulse velocity test, the material's pulse velocity is determined by the
material's density and elastic properties, both of which are related to the material's strength and
quality. High-quality ultrasonic pulse equipment enables a reliable and more accurate way to
determine the internal properties of materials. Hence, it is useful for determining a material's
homogeneity and for detecting the presence of cracks, defects, voids, and other imperfections
within the structure.

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 Ultrasonic pulses also provide a reliable measure of the changes in concrete. Chemical
attacks, frost, fire, and cement hydration are some of the reasons why concrete may change or
become defective.

The disadvantage of ultrasonic pulse velocity testing is that the operators must be well
trained and aware of the factors affecting the readings. It is essential that the test results are
properly evaluated and interpreted by experienced engineers who are familiar with the
technique of the testing. The UPV testing only gives an estimation of the extent of cracking
within concrete, however the result will not be reliable when the concrete is wet. The UPV test
is also not reliable for estimation of strength of concrete because there are many factors that
will affect calibrations.

3) Can we use UPV to monitor the quality of concrete during construction?

Yes, we can use UPV to monitor the quality of concrete during construction. We can
detect cracking and honeycombing in the in-situ concrete. We can also measure the crack depth
and estimate the strength of the concrete. The layer thickness of the concrete can also be
determined by using UPV test.

Precautions
There are a few precautions that can be taken to obtain a result with better accuracy:
 Make sure the apparatus is set based in the standard before the experiment start.
 Make sure there is no impurities on the surface of the concrete specimen.
 Make sure that there is nothing blocking in between the transmitter and specimen.
 Calibrate the instrument and make sure that the instrument is in good condition.

10
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, higher pulse velocity indicates that the concrete has the higher
strength.From this test, we were able to determine the uniformity of concrete within structure,
detect the presence of cracks and estimates in-situ strength of existing concrete using
supplied correlation chart. The average reading of pulse velocity is 3.813 km/s which
indicates it is a good grade of concrete in the guidelines between concrete quality and pulse
velocity

This test is done to find the homogeneity of the concrete, the presence of cracks, voids
and other imperfections. From this test,we can find the quality of the concrete in relation to
standard requirements. The test need to be conducted on clean, smooth and dry surface location.
To get more accurate result, make sure the surface of test location is applied grease to ensure
proper contact of the transducers with concrete surface and there is no air bubble between the
transducers and concrete surface.

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REFERENCE

1. https://www.slideshare.net/rahimeagle/ultrasonic-pulse-velocity-test-for-concrete
2. https://www.engineeringcivil.com/ultrasonic-testing-of-concrete.html
3. https://www.matec-
conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2017/17/matecconf_iscee2017_02028.pdf
4. http://pcteau.blogspot.com/2015/10/advantages-of-ultrasonic-pulse-velocity.html
5. http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CE/sud/Teaching/CE%20401-112/04%20-%20UPV.pdf
6. Civil Engineering Laboratory Manual (3rd Edition), Faculty of Civil Engineering &
Earth Resources, 2018.

APPENDICES

Figure 1 Figure 2
Figure 1 and 2 shows that we are doing the ultrasonic pulse velocity test on our concrete.

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