ASTM C597-22

Standard Test Method for Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Through Concrete

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The ultrasonic pulse velocity, V, of longitudinal ultrasonic stress waves in a concrete mass is related to its elastic properties and density according to the following relationship:
    where:  
  E  =   dynamic modulus of elasticity,    μ  =   dynamic Poisson's ratio, and    ρ  =   density.      
5.2 This test method is applicable to assess the uniformity and relative quality of concrete, to indicate the presence of voids and cracks, and to evaluate the effectiveness of crack repairs. It is also applicable to indicate changes in the properties of concrete, and in the survey of structures, to estimate the severity of deterioration or cracking. If used to monitor changes in condition over time, test locations are to be marked on the structure to ensure that tests are repeated at the same positions.  
5.3 The degree of saturation of the concrete affects the ultrasonic pulse velocity, and this factor must be considered when evaluating test results (Note 1). In addition, the ultrasonic pulse velocity in saturated concrete is less sensitive to changes in its relative quality.
Note 1: The ultrasonic pulse velocity in saturated concrete may be up to 5 % higher than in dry concrete.3  
5.4 The ultrasonic pulse velocity is independent of the dimensions of the test object provided reflected waves from boundaries do not complicate the determination of the arrival time of the directly transmitted pulse. The least dimension of the test object must exceed the wavelength of the ultrasonic vibrations (Note 2).
Note 2: The wavelength of the vibrations equals the ultrasonic pulse velocity divided by the frequency of vibrations. For example, for a frequency of 54 kHz and a pulse velocity of 3500 m/s, the wavelength is 3500/54000 = 0.065 m.  
5.5 The accuracy of the measurement depends upon the ability of the operator to determine precisely the distance between the transducers and of the equipment to measure precisely the ultrasonic pulse transit time. The receive...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propagation velocity of longitudinal ultrasonic stress wave pulses through concrete. This test method does not apply to the propagation of other types of stress waves through concrete.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2022
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.64 - Nondestructive and In-Place Testing

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C597 − 22
Standard Test Method for
1
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Through Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C597; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology C125 and the section
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propa-
related to ultrasonic examination in Terminology E1316 for
gation velocity of longitudinal ultrasonic stress wave pulses
definitions of terms used in this test method.
through concrete. This test method does not apply to the
propagation of other types of stress waves through concrete.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 Pulses of longitudinal ultrasonic stress waves are gen-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
erated by an electro-acoustical transducer that is held in contact
standard.
with one surface of the concrete under test. After traversing
through the concrete, the pulses are received and converted
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
into electrical energy by a second transducer located a distance
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
L from the transmitting transducer. The transit time T is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
measured electronically. The ultrasonic pulse velocity V is
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
calculated by dividing L by T.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Significance and Use
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1 The ultrasonic pulse velocity, V, of longitudinal ultra-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
sonic stress waves in a concrete mass is related to its elastic
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
properties and density according to the following relationship:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
E 1 2 μ
~ !
V 5Π(1)
ρ ~11μ!~1 2 2 μ!
2. Referenced Documents
where:
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E = dynamic modulus of elasticity,
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
μ = dynamic Poisson’s ratio, and
gregates
ρ = density.
C215 Test Method for Fundamental Transverse,
5.2 This test method is applicable to assess the uniformity
Longitudinal, and Torsional Resonant Frequencies of
and relative quality of concrete, to indicate the presence of
Concrete Specimens
voids and cracks, and to evaluate the effectiveness of crack
C823/C823M Practice for Examination and Sampling of
repairs. It is also applicable to indicate changes in the proper-
Hardened Concrete in Constructions
ties of concrete, and in the survey of structures, to estimate the
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
severity of deterioration or cracking. If used to monitor
changes in condition over time, test locations are to be marked
on the structure to ensure that tests are repeated at the same
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
positions.
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.64 on Nondestructive and In-Place Testing.
5.3 The degree of saturation of the concrete affects the
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2022. Published February 2023. Originally
ultrasonic pulse velocity, and this factor must be considered
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as C597 – 16. DOI:
when evaluating test results (Note 1). In addition, the ultrasonic
10.1520/C0597-22.
2
pulse velocity in saturated concrete is less sensitive to changes
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in its relative quality.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. NOTE 1—The ultrasonic pulse velocity in saturated concrete may be up
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C597 − 22
3 4
to 5 % higher than in dry concre
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C597 − 16 C597 − 22
Standard Test Method for
1
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Through Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C597; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propagation velocity of longitudinal ultrasonic stress wave pulses through
concrete. This test method does not apply to the propagation of other types of stress waves through concrete.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C215 Test Method for Fundamental Transverse, Longitudinal, and Torsional Resonant Frequencies of Concrete Specimens
C823C823/C823M Practice for Examination and Sampling of Hardened Concrete in Constructions
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology C125 and the section related to ultrasonic examination in Terminology E1316 for
definitions of terms used in this test method.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Pulses of longitudinal ultrasonic stress waves are generated by an electro-acoustical transducer that is held in contact with one
surface of the concrete under test. After traversing through the concrete, the pulses are received and converted into electrical energy
by a second transducer located a distance L from the transmitting transducer. The transit time T is measured electronically. The
ultrasonic pulse velocity V is calculated by dividing L by T.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.64 on
Nondestructive and In-Place Testing.
Current edition approved April 1, 2016Dec. 15, 2022. Published May 2016February 2023. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 20092016 as
C597 – 09.C597 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/C0597-16.10.1520/C0597-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C597 − 22
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The ultrasonic pulse velocity, V, of longitudinal ultrasonic stress waves in a concrete mass is related to its elastic properties
and density according to the following relationship:
E 12 μ
~ !
V 5Π(1)
ρ ~11μ!~122μ!
where:
E = dynamic modulus of elasticity,
μ = dynamic Poisson’s ratio, and
ρ = density.
5.2 This test method is applicable to assess the uniformity and relative quality of concrete, to indicate the presence of voids and
cracks, and to evaluate the effectiveness of crack repairs. It is also applicable to indicate changes in the properties of concrete, and
in the survey of structures, to estimate the severity of deterioration or cracking. If used to monitor changes in condition over time,
test locations are to be marked on the structure to ensure that tests are repeated at the same positions.
5.3 The degree of saturation of the concrete affects the ultrasonic pulse velocity, and this factor must be considered when
evaluating test results (Note 1). In addition, the ultrasonic pulse velocity
...