Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate the ultrasound test to estimate the depth of cracks in concrete, using a mathematical model published in the literature, and to verify this depth with more accurate results. Four concrete test specimens were molded for each proposed crack depth (5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm), simulated using zinc plates, placed during molding and removed before concrete hardening. The results show that the test is sensitive enough to detect the presence of the cracks in the concrete. The mathematical model used allowed for an estimation of the depths of most cracks, but the results are scattered and have a high margin of error for the depths of 5 cm and 15 cm. The cracks of 10-cm depth produced better results.
Highlights
Cracks are the most common pathological manifestations found in concrete structures, usually appearing as a result of tensile stresses, which concrete has difficulty absorbing
Among the types of cracks that occur are those caused by thermal phenomena or by shrinkage, and those due to the lack of capacity of the structure to absorb tensile stresses, either by underestimation of the forces during sizing or by decrease of the material strength, the latter being of concern according to Silva Filho and Helene (2011)
To facilitate the analysis of the results, the blocks were divided into three groups according to the crack depth: Series I - blocks with 5 cm deep cracks; Series II - blocks with 10 cm deep cracks; and Series III - blocks with 15 cm deep cracks
Summary
Cracks are the most common pathological manifestations found in concrete structures, usually appearing as a result of tensile stresses, which concrete has difficulty absorbing. Several studies have been undertaken to detect cracks and fissures in concrete using the ultrasound test (Aggelis et al, 2010; Wolf, Pirskawetz, and Zang, 2015) and others to estimate their depth (Bungey, Millard, and Grantham, 2006; Pinto et al, 2010; Souza, 2016). The objective of the present article is to evaluate the ability of ultrasound method to estimate the depth of cracks in concrete structures and the influence of the depth of the cracks on the results, by analyzing the time variation of the sound wave through the cracked and uncracked areas
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