In the paper a new setup for measuring setting and hardening process of cementitious materials, using a non-destructive ultrasonic shear wave reflection technique and designed with the objective to be easily used in-situ, is described. Using the developed setup, the measurements can be performed by slight deepening of a measuring head into a paste in a mold or by placing the paste into a mold fixed on a measuring head. To test the proposed methodology, cement pastes with different compositions were prepared and exposed to different curing temperatures. Significant differences in the evolution of a change of a shear wave reflection coefficient Δr in time were observed, indicating ability of the method to monitor setting process of cement pastes. Moreover, some interesting phenomena in the solidification process of the materials can be identified. A linear relationship between development of the Δr and penetration resistance dP values in time was found, allowing development of a simplified procedure to determine both initial and final setting times of the material.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6202721
In this paper, a possibility of using a frequency spectrum of ultrasonic P-waves to monitor the formation of structure of cement pastes at early ages is studied. A new parameter, labeled as a TG parameter, is defined as a dimensionless ratio between maximum amplitudes of two dominant frequency ranges that appear in a frequency spectrum of received ultrasound signals. Four stages and three characteristic points can be identified on the TG-vs.-time graphs, indicating that the development of the frequency spectrum is closely related to the setting phenomena. By comparing the TG parameter with the P-wave velocity and temperature evolutions in time, important milestones in the process of formation of microstructure were identified, suchas the time of reduced workability and a period of intensive setting. The combined use of P-wave velocity and TG parameter results in a comprehensive ultrasonic method that gives a more complete picture of setting.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1920103
The paper discusses a possibility of using an ultrasonic wave transmission method to study the influence of superplasticizers on the formation of structure of cement pastes at early ages. When compared to mixtures without additives, lower P-wave velocity was found through superplasticized cement pastes, indicating that superplasticizers prevent formation of a solid network frame. Comparing to sulfonate naphthalene-formaldehyde superplasticizers, polycarboxylate ether (PCE) admixtures retarded the solid network frame development more intensively, resulting in a plateau on a P-wave velocity curve during the setting period. The length of the plateau is proportional to the dosage of the PCE and inversely proportional to the specific surface area of the hydration products developed, proving that the specific surface area of a solid phase affects the performance of the PCEs. Validation of ultrasonic results was determined on the basis of the temperature evolution of the material in time.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6235233
The paper presents a new method to determine the transition of different cementitious materials from liquid to solid state, usually defined as a setting period. The method is based on a ratio between maximum amplitudes of two dominant frequency ranges that appear in the frequency spectrum of ultrasonic (US) P-waves, called a TG parameter. Clear and unambiguous correlation between characteristic points in the evolution of TG parameter andpenetration resistance in time is established on samples with different material composition during the early hydration process. The correlation indicates that TG parameter detects the development of rigid bonds between hydrating cement particles. The ability and accuracy of the method to determine setting period is unaffected by the material composition. Non-destructive nature and insensitivity of the method to aggregate size givesit an advantage over penetration methods and other US methods in determining the setting period of cement pastes, mortars, and concretes.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1967207
To summarize some of the most important findings in the field of ultrasonic (US) testing of early age hydration and formation of structure of different cement based materials (CBMs), a review of literature with focus on US P-wave transmission and S-wave reflection methods is presented in this paper. The review shows a great ability of both US techniques to observe setting phenomena and to determine different milestones during the early age formationof CBMʼs microstructure. Clear physical basis, high accuracy, and non-destructive nature of the method indicate that US methods could become standardized in the near future.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1972839