Ultrasonic pulse velocity test

 Ultrasonic pulse velocity method is an non-destructive test which is used to determine the compressive strength of concrete structure without any damage.

• This method consists of measuring the time of travel of and ultrasonic pulse passing through the concrete to be tested.
• In this method, A pulse generator circuit is used which consists of electronic circuit and transducer.
• Electronic circuit generates pulses and transducer transforms it into mechanical energy having vibration frequencies in the range of 15 to 50 kHz.
• The time of travel between initial onset and the reception of the pulse is measured electronically.
• The path length between transducer divided by the time of travel gives the average velocity of wave propagation.

• When mechanical impulses are applied to a solid mass, three different kinds of waves are generated - longitudinal wave, shear wave and surface wave.
• The longitudinal waves travel about twice as fast as the other two types. The shear waves are not so fast, the surface waves are the slowest. 

Thank you.

Civil engineering.