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Characterization and deterioration detection of portland cement concrete using ultrasonic waves

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

An experimental study was conducted to characterize Portland cement concrete (PCC), to detect deterioration induced by freeze/thaw and alkali-silica reaction, and to detect chloride presence in PCC using ultrasonic waves. The experimental program was initiated to investigate the effect of water to cement (w/c) ratio, aggregate type, and air entrainn1ent on measured ultrasonic wave velocity and signal energy. Three w/c ratios (0.35, 0.45, and 0.55) were evaluated. Two aggregate types, quartzite and limestone, were included in the PCC mixes separately. Mixes were prepared as non-air entrained and air entrained. Thus, a total of twelve batches were prepared to evaluate PCC using ultrasonic waves at two frequencies, 54 and 340 kHz. The experimental program to investigate freeze/thaw (FT) damage included the effect of curing time, w/c ratio, and aggregate type. The effect of curing time was investigated by exposing PCC specimens cured for 3 and 7 days to FT. Two w/c ratios were considered, 0.45 and 0.55. The effect of aggregate on detecting FT damage was investigated using two types of crushed stone aggregate, quartzite and limestone. Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) damage was investigated uSIng two w/c ratios, 0.35 and 0.45. Embedded composite strain gages were used to monitor the ASR deleterious deterioration. High alkali cement and active silica aggregate were used to produce ASR.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Civil Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Civil Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1995

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Al-Akhras, Nabil M.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Al-Qadi, Imadeddin L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Duke, John C. Jr.
  • Walker, Richard D.
  • Barker, Richard M.
  • Cramer, Mark S.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-06062008-170019
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/38373

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Al-Akhras, Nabil M.. Characterization and deterioration detection of portland cement concrete using ultrasonic waves. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/38373