3D Modeling of Ultrasonic Wave Propagation in Pervious Concrete

Ultrasonic testing is a widely employed non-destructive technique for material characterization and defect detection. For pervious concrete (PeC), a porous composite material made of cement paste and coarse aggregate, understanding the interaction between material properties and ultrasonic wave propagation remains a challenge. This study implements a three-dimensional finite element model to simulate acoustic wave behavior in PeC, focusing on the effects of porosity P, aggregate size D, elastic modulus E, and density \(\rho \). The specific goal is to understand the relationship of ultrasonic wave velocity and porosity in PeC. To control porosity, the model is based on a simplified hypothetical contact between particles which may represent the cement paste surrounding the aggregate particles. Several families of models are built by varying porosity between 8% and 40%, and three different values of D, E and \(\rho \). An analytical model –an equation– is proposed and successfully fitted to the numerical data, and then tested numerically; the equation consists of a theoretical P-wave velocity multiplied by a factor dependent of D and P. Numerical results are partially validated against experimental measurements obtained from PeC samples with porosity values ranging from 14% to 35%. The findings reveal a clear inverse relationship between porosity and ultrasonic wave velocity, emphasizing the influence of aggregate contact areas. This work establishes a foundation for advancing ultrasonic testing as a reliable tool for assessing PeC porosity and performance in field applications.