Influence of air content on concrete quality determined by ultrasonic testing

Main Article Content

Luis Carlos Calvo-Navarro

Abstract

The ultrasonic pulse velocity measurement test is an example of non-destructive testing (NDT), which is performed on concrete elements, and allows to establish the quality of the concrete, based on the magnitude of the ultrasonic pulse velocity obtained from the test. NDT allows on-site, non-invasive inspections, with real time results and ease of execution, even during the construction process. The physics of this test is based on sending pulses at ultrasonic frequencies that are susceptible to the density of the material being evaluated, the air content in its interior (voids) and the existing cracks or discontinuities. This capability is very useful when evaluating hydraulic concrete, since, in a generalized way, it avoids that concrete structures have voids, cracks or low density, since any of these conditions diminishes the desirable structural capabilities of concrete. The present investigation determines the influence that the content of air trapped inside the concrete has on the transit of ultrasonic waves through it, and the decrease of ultrasonic velocity due to the increase of a minimum amount of air inside the concrete mixture.

Article Details

Section

Artículo científico

How to Cite

Influence of air content on concrete quality determined by ultrasonic testing. (2026). Tecnología en Marcha Journal, 39(3), Pág. 148-163. https://doi.org/10.18845/tm.v39i3.8062

References

[1] ASTM International, «Designation C597 − 22 Standard Test Method for Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Through Concrete,» 2022.

[2] Asociación Española de Normalización, «EN 12504-4:2021 Ensayos de hormigón en estructuras. Parte 4: Determinación de la velocidad de los impulsos ultrasónicos,» Madrid, 2022.

[3] A. Domato Jayo, «Ultrasonidos: principios generales y alcance,» International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2022.

[4] J.-L. Henry y A. Aguado De Cea, «Optimización del control de la resistencia del hormigón de la obra de la depuradora del Besós mediante ultrasonidos,» Barcelona, 2003, pp. 28-61.

[5] O. Carrasco y A. Freites , «Evaluación de la influencia del acero de refuerzo en la aplicación del ensayo de velocidad de pulso ultrasónico en elementos de concreto armado,» Caracas, 2014.

[6] International Atomic Energy Agency, «Guidebook on non-destructive testing of concrete structures,» Vienna, 2002.

[7] V. M. Maholtra y N. Carino, Nondestructive Testing of concrete, Florida: CRC Press, 2004.

[8] American Concrete Institute, «Standar Practice for Selecting Proportions for Normal, Heavyweigth, and Mass Concrete (ACI 211.1-91),» 2002.

[9] L. A. Quintero Ortíz, R. A. Cruz Hernández y D. Y. Peña Santos, «Efecto del contenido de agua sobre la resistencia y la velocidad de pulso ultrasónico del concreto,» Tecnura. Tecnología y Cultura Afirmando el Conocimiento, vol. 18, nº 42, pp. 103-113, 2014.

[10] O. Narváez Trejo y L. Villegas Salas, «Introducción a la investigación:,» Universidad Veracruzana, 2014.

[11] Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos de Costa Rica, Código Sísmico de Costa Rica, Cartago: Editorial Tecnológica de Costa Rica, 2010.

[12] American Concrete Institute, «Guide to Evaluation of Strength Test Results of Concrete (ACI 214R-11),» United States, 2011.

[13] American Concrete Institute, «Requisitos de Reglamento para Concreto Estructural (ACI 318SUS-14) y Comentario (ACI 318SUSR-14),» United States, 2015.

[14] ASTM International, «Designation C39/C39M − 24 Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens,» 2024.