Non-destructive testing of cementitiously stabilized materials using ultrasonic pulse velocity test

In this paper, non-destructive testing of cementitiously stabilized materials (CSMs) was studied using ultrasonic pulse velocity instrumentation. Flexural strength and flexural modulus tests were conducted on CSMs and their constrained modulus were recorded. The effect of compaction, curing time, and binder content was evaluated. The results indicate that the P-wave velocity decreases with decrease in density, whereas P-wave velocity increases with increase in curing time and binder content. A strong relationship (R2 = 0.89) was observed between flexural strength and constrained modulus, while the relationship between flexural modulus and constrained modulus at 30% stress level was also high (R2 = 0.70). Non-destructive testing is thus proposed as a convenient and expedient method for determining the flexural properties of CSMs in comparison to destructive methods such as third-point bending beam tests.