Characterization of cement-based multiphase materials using ultrasonic wave attenuation

Abstract

Ultrasonic wave attenuation measurements have been successfully used to characterize the microstructure and material properties of inhomogeneous materials; these ultrasonic techniques have the potential to provide for the in situ characterization of heterogeneous, cement-based materials. Recent research has applied existing acoustic scattering models to predict ultrasonic attenuation in relatively simple cement-based materials with good results. The goal of the current research is to extend this past work and to investigate the influence of elastic inclusions to simulate a more realistic microstructure: a cement paste matrix material that contains both sand inclusions and air voids. This research considers an independent scattering model and a self-consistent effective medium theory approach in order to model the scattering attenuation due to the sand inclusions in the cement paste matrix. The research develops a reliable measurement technique essential to assess the wave attenuation of the particulate materials. Subsequently, the ultrasonic wave attenuation is measured in cement paste specimens with varying amounts of sand inclusions. The measured attenuation is then compared to the model predictions and the results are discussed. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.