Study of Ultrasonic Pulse Wave Velocity in Plain Concrete Using Different Water to Cement Ratio at Different Stress Level

Ultrasonic pulse waves velocities as a non-destructive test method has been utilized for assessing concrete properties. Most studies in this context were performed on specimens with no externally applied load and only were expressed the pulse wave velocity in terms of other concrete characteristics. Reinhardt and Grosse study showed that pulse wave velocity changes with different water to cement ratios for different cement types after 24 hours (Reinhardt & Grosse et al., 2004). The objective of this research was to study the pulse wave velocity of structural concrete under real conditions subjected to different loading and different intervals of compressive stresses and strains.  This can help to have a better understanding of concrete behavior and lead to an independent model from load- displacement parameter for health monitoring of concrete structures. To this aim, concrete cube specimens were prepared for cement content of 400 kg/m3, water to cement ratio from 0.3 to 0.5 with varying increment of 0.02 and equal ratio of fine to coarse aggregate.