ASTM C597-09

Standard Test Method for Pulse Velocity Through Concrete

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The pulse velocity, V, of longitudinal stress waves in a concrete mass is related to its elastic properties and density according to the following relationship:  
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. When 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.
The degree of saturation of the concrete affects the pulse velocity, and this factor must be considered when evaluating test results (Note 1). In addition, the pulse velocity in saturated concrete is less sensitive to changes in its relative quality.
Note 1—The pulse velocity in saturated concrete may be up to 5 % higher than in dry concrete.  
The 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 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.
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 pulse transit time. The received signal strength and measured transit time are affected by the coupling of the transducers to the concrete surfaces. Sufficient coupling agent and pressure must be applied to the transducers to ensure stable transit times. The stren...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propagation velocity of longitudinal 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2009
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.64 - Nondestructive and In-Place Testing

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C597-02 - Standard Test Method for Pulse Velocity Through Concrete
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C823/C823M-12(2017) - Standard Practice for Examination and Sampling of Hardened<brk/> Concrete in Constructions
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C1383-15(2022) - Standard Test Method for Measuring the P-Wave Speed and the Thickness of Concrete Plates Using the Impact-Echo Method
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C1012/C1012M-18b - Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hydraulic-Cement Mortars Exposed to a Sulfate Solution
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C856/C856M-20 - Standard Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened Concrete
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E494-20 - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Materials by Comparative Pulse-Echo Method
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D7762-18e1 - Standard Practice for Design of Stabilization of Soil and Soil-Like Materials with Self-Cementing Fly Ash
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C597 − 09
StandardTest Method for
1
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* surface of the concrete under test.After traversing through the
concrete, the pulses are received and converted into electrical
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propa-
energy by a second transducer located a distance L from the
gation velocity of longitudinal stress wave pulses through
transmitting transducer. The transit time T is measured elec-
concrete.This test method does not apply to the propagation of
tronically. The pulse velocity V is calculated by dividing L by
other types of stress waves through concrete.
T.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
5. Significance and Use
standard.
5.1 The pulse velocity, V, of longitudinal stress waves in a
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
concrete mass is related to its elastic properties and density
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
according to the following relationship:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E 1 2 µ
~ !
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
V 5Π(1)
ρ ~11µ!~1 2 2 µ!
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
where:
2. Referenced Documents
E = dynamic modulus of elasticity,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
µ = dynamic Poisson’s ratio, and
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
ρ = density.
gregates
5.2 This test method is applicable to assess the uniformity
C215 Test Method for Fundamental Transverse,
and relative quality of concrete, to indicate the presence of
Longitudinal, and Torsional Resonant Frequencies of
voids and cracks, and to evaluate the effectiveness of crack
Concrete Specimens
repairs. It is also applicable to indicate changes in the proper-
C823 Practice for Examination and Sampling of Hardened
ties of concrete, and in the survey of structures, to estimate the
Concrete in Constructions
severity of deterioration or cracking. When used to monitor
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
changes in condition over time, test locations are to be marked
3. Terminology
on the structure to ensure that tests are repeated at the same
positions.
3.1 Definitions—RefertoTerminologyC125andthesection
related to ultrasonic examination in Terminology E1316 for
5.3 Thedegreeofsaturationoftheconcreteaffectsthepulse
definitions of terms used in this test method.
velocity, and this factor must be considered when evaluating
test results (Note 1). In addition, the pulse velocity in saturated
4. Summary of Test Method
concrete is less sensitive to changes in its relative quality.
4.1 Pulses of longitudinal stress waves are generated by an
NOTE 1—The pulse velocity in saturated concrete may be up to 5 %
electro-acoustical transducer that is held in contact with one
3
higher than in dry concrete.
5.4 The pulse velocity is independent of the dimensions of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
thetestobjectprovidedreflectedwavesfromboundariesdonot
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.64 on Nondestructive and In-Place Testing. complicate the determination of the arrival time of the directly
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2009. Published February 2010. Originally
transmitted pulse. The least dimension of the test object must
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as C597 – 02. DOI:
exceed the wavelength of the ultrasonic vibrations (Note 2).
10.1520/C0597-09.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Bungey, J. H., Testing of Concrete in Structures, 2nd ed., Chapman and Hall,
the ASTM website. 1989, p. 52.
*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 − 09
NOTE 2—The wavelength of the vibrations equals the 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 acc
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:C597–02 Designation:C597–09
Standard Test Method for
1
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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propagation velocity of longitudinal stress wave pulses through concrete.
This test method does not apply to the propagation of other types of stress waves through concrete.
1.2The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
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
C823 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 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 pulse
velocity V is calculated by dividing L by T.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Thepulsevelocity, V,oflongitudinalstresswavesinaconcretemassisrelatedtoitselasticpropertiesanddensityaccording
to the following relationship:
(1) V 5 E ~1 2 µ!r ~1 1 µ!~1 2 2 µ!
where:
E = dynamic modulus of elasticity,
µ = dynamic Poisson’s ratio, and
r = 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. When 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.
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 Dec. 10, 2002.15, 2009. Published February 2003.2010. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 19972002 as
C597–97.C597–02. DOI: 10.1520/C0597-02.10.1520/C0597-09
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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 ----------------------
C597–09
5.3 The degree of saturation of the concrete affects the pulse velocity, and this factor must be considered when evaluating test
results (Note 1). In addition, the pulse velocity in saturated concrete is less sensitive to changes in its relative quality.
3
NOTE 1—The pulse velocity in saturated concrete may be up to 5 % higher than in dry concrete.
5.4 The pulse velocity is independent of the dimensions of the test object provided reflected waves from boundaries do not
complicatethedeterminationofthearrivaltimeofthedirectlytransmittedpulse.Theleastdimensionofthetestobjectmustexceed
the wa
...