Ultrasonic pulse velocity test of reinforced concrete with induced corrosion

Abstract

Non-destructive test has been applied to measure damage in structures. Common structures are assessed with the use of practical and easy application of ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). In this paper, the damage brought by corrosion was investigated using Proceq Punditlab having 54 kHz transducers oriented in direct transmission under the UPV. Fifty-four reinforced concrete of size 150 mm x 250 mm x 300 mm with two 10mm diameter reinforcing bars (Grade 40) and one 6mm diameter stainless steel bar (Type 304) was cast and tested. It had varying water cement ratio of 45%, 50%, and 55%with two conditions at day 0 (after curing), day 14, and day 28: non-accelerated condition under air-drying and accelerated condition using impressed current technique (ICT). The UPV test was conducted in each layer where reinforced steel bars were present and absent. It was found out that UPV test results was insignificant to all non-accelerated concrete, while it indicated significant damage for accelerated corrosion rate of more than 8 mm per year. In accelerated condition, the decrease in strength under UPV test was more than 20% for all specimens along the reinforced bars, and less than 15% for all specimens along the layer with no steel bars. This showed that the effect of corrosion greatly affects the entirety of structures near and far from the placement of reinforcing steel bars.