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Nondestructive measurement of concrete strength gain by an ultrasonic wave reflection method

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Abstract

A one-sided, nondestructive, ultrasonic technique for monitoring the setting and hardening process of concrete has recently been developed. The technique is based on monitoring the reflection coefficient of ultrasonic transverse waves at the surface of a laboratory scale hardening concrete in steel molds. The technique has been shown to reliably estimate the rate of strength gain of concrete under isothermal and outdoor conditions. Results of an experimental study to investigate the influence of curing temperature and mix design on the rate of strength gain and the ultrasonic transverse wave reflection loss are presented in this paper. Simultaneous measurements of wave reflection loss and compressive strength have been performed on various concrete compositions under different curing conditions. The ultrasonic technique is shown to produce reliable estimates of the rate of strength gain at early ages.

Résumé

Une technique de contrôle de la cristallisation du béton a récemment été développée. Cette méthode non destructive et ne requérant qu'une seule surface d'essai est fondéc sur l'étude de la diminution de la réflexion des ultrasons sur la surface du béton en cours de cristallisation. L'influence de la température de cristallisation et de la formulation du béton sur la vitesse de durcissement et l'atténuation de la réflexion des ondes ultrasoniques transversales a été mise en évidence par le biais d'une étude expérimentale dont les résultats sont présentés. La méthodologie de cette étude consiste en la mesure simultanée de la réflexion des ultrasons et de la résistance en compression du béton sous différentes conditions de cristallisation. Il a ainsi été démontré que cette technique de contrôle produisait des estimations fiables de la vitesse de durcissement du béton aux jeunes âges, dans un environnement isotherme comme sous des conditions extérieures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil Engineering Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak 80626, Istanbul, Turkey

    Y. Akkaya

  2. Center for Advanced Cement-Based Materials, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, 60208, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Y. Akkaya, T. Voigt & S. P. Shah

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, City College of New York, T-110, Steinman Hall Convent Avenue at 140th Street, 10031, New York, New York, USA

    K. V. Subramaniam

Authors
  1. Y. Akkaya
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  2. T. Voigt
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  3. K. V. Subramaniam
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  4. S. P. Shah
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Additional information

Editorial Note Prof. Dr. Surendra P. Shah is a RILEM Senior Member and a member of the Bureau of RILEM as well as the Editor-in-Chief ofMaterials and Structures. Dr. Y. Akkaya, Dr. K.V. Subramaniam and Prof. S.P. Shah participate in RILEM TC 185-ATC ‘Advanced testing of cement-based materials during setting and hardening’. Prof. Shah also participates in RILEM TC SOC ‘Experimental determination of the stress-crack opening curve for concrete in tension’. ACBM Center (Northwestern University) is a RILEM Titular Member.

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Akkaya, Y., Voigt, T., Subramaniam, K.V. et al. Nondestructive measurement of concrete strength gain by an ultrasonic wave reflection method. Mat. Struct. 36, 507–514 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480827

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480827

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