Testing of concrete, cementitious and rocks

The Sonelastic® System for concrete, cementitious materials and rocks complies with ASTM C215-19 standard test method for the determination of the dynamic modulus of elasticity (Ed); it also complies with Annex B of the ABNT NBR 8522-1:2021 standard for the estimation of the chord modulus (Ec) from the dynamic modulus applying Popovics model. Estimating the Ec from the Ed determined by Sonelastic is as practical and accurate as to determine the Ec via static test.

Sonelastic® Systems employ the Impulse Excitation Technique, which is non-destructive and provides highly precise and reproducible results. The test is fast, to measure three specimens it takes around 6 minutes including weighing and dimensional measurements. The typical uncertainty is 1.5% and the reproducibility 0.6%. (Ref.: ABNT NBR 8522-2:2021, pg. 2).

Concrete and rock specimens
Sonelastic® System for the determination of the dynamic modulus of elasticity (Ed) and estimation of the chord modulus (Ec) of concrete in accordance with ASTM C215-19 and ABNT NBR 8522-1&2:2021 (click here to watch the demo video).

The system shown above includes: Sonelastic® software, laptop, signal acquisition USB module ADAC, SA-BC adjustable support for bars and cylinders, set of manual impulse devices, CA-DP acoustic sensor with vertical base, protective cover, calibration certificate traceable to the SI and ruler for marking the nodal lines on 100 x 200 mm cylindrical specimens. This system optional items are the IED automatic impulse device and the sturdy tripod.

Sonelastic System ruler
Sonelastic® System ruler to the marking of nodal lines on 100 x 200 mm cylindrical specimens according to ASTM C215-19.

In addition to the modulus of elasticity, Sonelastic® Systems also allow the simultaneous determination of the shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, P and S waves velocity and damping of concrete, cementitious materials and rocks. The measurement of damping is sensitive to the presence and evolution of cracks and micro-cracks.

Applications

Sonelastic® Systems have a wide range of applications for concretes and cementitious materials:
  • Quality control of concrete manufacturing;
  • Curing and drying monitoring;
  • Refining finite element modeling and analyses (FEA/FEM);
  • Study of damage caused by mechanical stress and fatigue;
  • Study of degradation processes by thermochemical treatments and weathering.
Concrete sample on the SA-BC adjustable support
Examples of concrete, mortar and rocks specimens measurable by Sonelastic® Systems. For rectangular prisms and cylinders, the maximum height is 450 mm and a maximum weight 30 kg

Rocks and minerals

Sonelastic® Systems are able to measure the elastic moduli and damping of rocks and minerals, the main applications are:
  • Classification;
  • Quality control;
  • Geological soundings;
  • Evaluation of thermochemical damage;
  • Characterization of mechanical properties for drilling and mining optimization.

Traceable calibration

Sonelastic® Systems include calibration certificate with traceability to the International System of Units - SI.

Treaceability to the International System of Units - SI

For new systems, the calibration certificate is provided on demand and at no additional cost. For renewals, ATCP offers the service at competitive prices. The typical turnaround time for the calibration service is two business days.

Standards met by Sonelastic® Systems for concrete

ASTM C215-19 - Standard Test Method for Fundamental Transverse, Longitudinal, and Torsional Resonant Frequencies of Concrete Specimens.

ABNT NBR 8522-1:2021 Hardened concrete – Determination of elasticity and deformation modulus Part 1: Static modulus by compression. Annex B.

ABNT NBR 8522-2:2021 Hardened concrete – Determination of elasticity and deformation modulus Part 2: Dynamic modulus of elasticity by the method of natural frequencies of vibration.

Examples of Sonelastic® Systems applications

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Applications: Technological control of concrete in infrastructure works.
Contact: Eng. Felipe Moscardi.

Falcão Bauer
Falcão Bauer - Laboratories for technological control of civil construction materials.

Application: Technological control of concrete and civil construction materials.
Contact person: Luis Borin..

InterCement Brazil
InterCement Brazil

Application: Development and quality control of concretes.
Contact person: Sandro Rogerio Silva.

Organização Polimix
Organização Polimix

Application: Development and quality control of concretes.
Contact person: Eng. Pedro Lopes.

Qualify Laboratório de Concreto, Materiais e Solos
Qualify Laboratório de Concreto, Materiais e Solos

Application: Development and quality control of concretes.
Contact person: Eng. Adriano Damasio Soterio.

Associação Brasileira de Cimento Portland – ABCP LAB
Associação Brasileira de Cimento Portland – ABCP LAB

Application: Testing services.
Contact person: Eng. Rubens Curti.

PhD Engenharia
PhD Engenharia

Application: Development and quality control of concretes.
Contact person: Prof. Paulo Helene.

ITAIPU
ITAIPU BINACIONAL - Laboratório de Tecnologia do Concreto

Application: Development and quality control of concretes.
Contact person: Eng. Fábio L. Willrich.

FURNAS
FURNAS' Technology Services and Support Management (GST.E)

Application: Tech support services.
Contact person: Eng. Nilvane Teixeira Porfirio.

Department of Structural Engineering USP São Carlos (SET/EESC/USP)
Department of Structural Engineering USP São Carlos (SET/EESC/USP)

Application: Research and development.
Contact person: Prof. Ricardo Carrazedo.

Saint-Gobain Research Brasil
Saint-Gobain Research Brasil

Application: Research and development of fiber cement boards.
Contact person: Eng. Caio Exposito.

YAMANAGOLD
YAMANAGOLD

Application: Rock characterization for mining process optimization.
Contact person: Eng. Leandro Ribes de Lima.

Publications employing the Sonelastic® Systems

W. A. Thomaz, D. Y. Miyaji, E. Possan.Comparative study of dynamic and static Young's modulus of concrete containing basaltic aggregates. Case Studies in Construction Materials, Volume 15, 2021, ISSN 2214-5095, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00645.

G. M. S. Gidrão, P. A. Krahl, R. Carrazedo. Internal Damping Ratio of Ultrahigh-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Considering the Effect of Fiber Content and Damage Evolution. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, volume 32, number 12, 2020, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003407.

O. A. Quaglio; J. M. da Silva; E. C. Rodovalho, L. V. Costa. Determination of Young’s Modulus by Specific Vibration of Basalt and Diabase. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 2020, Article ID 4706384, 8 pages, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4706384.

F. Roberti, V. F. Cesari, P. R. Matos, F. Pelisser, R. Pilar. High- and ultra-high-performance concrete produced with sulfate-resisting cement and steel microfiber: Autogenous shrinkage, fresh-state, mechanical properties and microstructure characterization. Construction and Building Materials, Volume 268, 2021, ISSN 0950-0618, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121092.

V. G. Haach, R. Carrazedo, P. O. Ribeiro, L. P. A. Ferreira. Evaluation of Elastic Anisotropic Relations for Plain Concrete Using Ultrasound and Impact Acoustic Tests. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, Volume 33, Issue 2, February 2021, DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003562.

N. H. de Azevedo, P. J.P. Gleize. Effect of silicon carbide nanowhiskers on hydration and mechanical properties of a Portland cement paste. Construction and Building Materials, Volume 169, 2018, Pages 388-395, ISSN 0950-0618, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.185.

CARRAZEDO, R., HAACH, V.G., MONFRINATO, E. F., PERISSIN, D. A. M., CHAIM, J. P. Mechanical Characterization of Concrete by Impact Acoustics Tests. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, v. 30, p. 05018001, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0002231

AZEVEDO, N.H., GLEIZE, P.J.P. Effect of silicon carbide nanowhiskers on hydration and mechanical properties of a Portland cement paste. CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS, v. 169, p. 388-395, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.185

HAACH, V.G., CARRAZEDO, R., OLIVEIRA, L. M. F. Resonant acoustic evaluation of mechanical properties of masonry mortars. CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS , v. 152, p. 494-505, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.07.032

VLADIMIR G. HAACH, et al. Application of acoustic tests to mechanical characterization of masonry mortars. NDT & E International, Volume 59, 2013, Pages 18-24. ISSN 0963-8695. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ndteint.2013.04.013

M. Gorett dos Santos Marques, J. de Almeida Melo Filho, J. C. Molina, R. D. Toledo Filho, R. P. de Vasconcelos, C. Calil Junior. Numerical-Experimental Assessment of the Arumã Fiber as Reinforcement to the Cementitious Matrix. Key Engineering Materials, Vol. 600, pp. 460-468, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.600.460

Otani, L.B., Pereira, A.H.A.. Determination of elastic moduli of concrete by Impulse Excitation Technique - Technical-scientific whitepaper ITC-07. ATCP Physical Engineering Sonelastic Division. Revision 1.5, 08/2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12072.85768


Discover the Sonelastic® Systems
Sonelastic® System for small specimens
Sonelastic® System for medium specimens
Sonelastic® System for medium specimens
Sonelastic® System for medium specimens