Detection of crack growth in concrete from ultrasonic intensity measurements

Results of monitoring crack growth in concrete during uniaxial compression using ultrasonic methods offer the possibility of determining the internal properties of a concrete member both during and after loading without causing any damage. The ultrasonic transducers were designed to monitor pulse transmission in both the axial and lateral directions throughout a uniaxial compression test. The waveforms received at various stages of loading were digitized, stored and analysed after the test. The crack growth was inferred from the intensity of these ultrasonic waveforms. Axial stresses/strains and transverse strains were also recorded by the use of a data acquisition system. Four different mix proportions were tested and the results obtained are discussed and compared with other available results.