ASTM_C_597_-_16.pdf

Designation:C59716Standard Test Method forPulse Velocity Through Concrete1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C597;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propa-gation velocity of longitudinal stress wave pulses throughconcrete.This test method does not apply to the propagation ofother types of stress waves through concrete.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-gregatesC215 TestMethodforFundamentalTransverse,Longitudinal,and Torsional Resonant Frequencies ofConcrete SpecimensC823 Practice for Examination and Sampling of HardenedConcrete in ConstructionsE1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsRefer to Terminology C125 and the sectionrelated to ultrasonic examination in Terminology E1316 fordefinitions of terms used in this test method.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Pulses of longitudinal stress waves are generated by anelectro-acoustical transducer that is held in contact with onesurface of the concrete under test.After traversing through theconcrete,the pulses are received and converted into electricalenergy by a second transducer located a distance L from thetransmitting transducer.The transit time T is measured elec-tronically.The pulse velocity V is calculated by dividing L byT.5.Significance and Use5.1 The pulse velocity,V,of longitudinal stress waves in aconcrete mass is related to its elastic properties and densityaccording to the following relationship:V 5E1 2!11!1 2 2!(1)where:E=dynamic modulus of elasticity,=dynamic Poissons ratio,and=density.5.2 This test method is applicable to assess the uniformityand relative quality of concrete,to indicate the presence ofvoids and cracks,and to evaluate the effectiveness of crackrepairs.It is also applicable to indicate changes in the proper-ties of concrete,and in the survey of structures,to estimate theseverity of deterioration or cracking.If used to monitorchanges in condition over time,test locations are to be markedon the structure to ensure that tests are repeated at the samepositions.5.3 The degree of saturation of the concrete affects the pulsevelocity,and this factor must be considered when evaluatingtest results(Note 1).In addition,the pulse velocity in saturatedconcrete is less sensitive to changes in its relative quality.NOTE1The pulse velocity in saturated concrete may be up to 5%higher than in dry concrete.35.4 The pulse velocity is independent of the dimensions ofthe test object provided reflected waves from boundaries do notcomplicate the determination of the arrival time of the directlytransmitted pulse.The least dimension of the test object mustexceed the wavelength of the ultrasonic vibrations(Note 2).1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 onConcrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeC09.64 on Nondestructive and In-Place Testing.Current edition approved April 1,2016.Published May 2016.Originallyapproved in 1967.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C597 09.DOI:10.1520/C0597-16.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Bungey,J.H.,Millard,S.G.,and Grantham,M.G.,2006 Testing of Concretein Structures,4th ed.,Taylor&Francis,339 pp.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 NOTE2The wavelength of the vibrations equals the pulse velocitydivided by the frequency of vibrations.For example,for a frequency of54 kHz and a pulse velocity of 3500 m/s,the wavelength is 3500/54000=0.065 m.5.5 The accuracy of the measurement depends upon theability of the operator to determine precisely the distancebetween the transducers and of the equipment to measureprecisely the pulse transit time.The received signal strengthand measured transit time are affected by the coupling of thetransducers to the concrete surfaces.Sufficient coupling agentand pressure must be applied to the transduc