Abstract
Correlation between Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) characteristics (Young modulus and thickness) and ultrasonic wave velocity and attenuation in concrete is investigated. The ITZ is the thin layer at the aggregate/mortar interface in concrete. This zone has very low mechanical properties due to its high porosity. Cracks due to thermal or mechanical damage emerge from it. Ultrasonic wave velocity and attenuation are widely used for NDE of concrete because they are sensitive to the concrete’s state of health. Due to the very high heterogeneity of concrete’s microstructure (aggregates and porosity of different sizes, microcracks, …), the ultrasonic wave is multiply scattered. That causes attenuation and dispersion of the propagating wave. Until now, the multiple scattering of ultrasound in concrete was always studied without considering the ITZ. In this study, numerical simulations point out the effects of imperfect contact at the aggregate/mortar interface on ultrasonic wave propagation. A numerical model which accounts for realistic characteristics of ITZ is thus developed. It is validated through quantitative comparison with experimental attenuation values. It is then used to link ITZ characteristics to measured velocity’s decrease due to thermal damage.
How to Cite:
Ramaniraka, M. ., Rakotonarivo, S. ., Payan, C. . & Garnier, V. ., (2019) “Correlation between interfacial transition zone characteristics and ultrasonic wave velocity and attenuation in concrete”, Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation .
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