Applications

Ultrasonic testing can be used for:

• The homogeneity of a material

• The presence of voids, cracks or other internal imperfections or defects

• Changes in the concrete which may occur with time (i.e. due to the cement hydration) or damage from fire, frost or chemical attack

• The strength or modulus of a material

• The quality of the concrete in relation to specified standard requirements

• Single sided thickness measurement

• Poisson’s ratio and E modulus calculation

Materials

An essential tool for investigating a wide range of materials. Including Concrete, Ceramics and Refractories, Timber and many others/

Features

• Housing specially designed to be used on-site in harsh environments

• Screen with highest resolution and sharpest image available in the market allowing best possible analysis of the measured waveforms

• Settings directly accessible on measuring screen

• On board storage and review of waveforms

• Automatic and manual triggering and user adjustable trigger threshold

• Gate function on UPE results to focus on critical testing regions. 

• Modular concept: Expandable with all Proceq Pulse Velocity and Pulse Echo transducers, upcoming Pundit ultrasonic products will be directly compatible.

• Time based data logging for short term monitoring

Stress Waves

Ultrasonic testing is sub section of stress wave testing. The main characteristics of stress waves in a material are their frequency and the type of wave measured. The correct choice of frequency is based upon the material being tested. Coarse grained concrete responds better to a lower frequency. Fine grained mortars or rock works better with higher frequencies.

The two test methods offered by the Pundit use of either compression waves [P waves] or shear waves. The particle motion associated with compression waves can be described as vibration parallel to the direction of wave travel, much as a sound wave. The particle motion associated with shear waves can be described as vibration perpendicular to the direction of wave travel. 

Ultrasonic Pulse Echo Method

The Pulse Echo technology widely extends the application range of the Pundit Touchscreen Unit and offers a variety of special features.

• Single side determination of slab thickness

• Detection and localization of voids, pipes, cracks (parallel to surface) and honeycombing

• Advanced echo tracking technology helps identifying the main echo

• Control buttons and optical feedback directly on the probe increase measurement efficiency

•  Automatic estimation of the Pulse Velocity

• Easy B-Scan measuring through centre marker and rulers directly on the probe

• Dry-contact transducer: no couplant required, suited for measuring on rough surfaces

• Lightweight and ergonomic handling

Pulse Echo Transducer

The Pulse Echo transducer is a shear wave transducer designed for single-handed and two-handed operation. It is particularly suited to testing where access is limited to a single side.

Scan Modes

B-Scan

• A cross-sectional view perpendicular to the scanning surface is provided. It facilitates the search for pipes, cracks, voids, etc.
• State-of-the-art image processing for improved image quality.
• Cursor placement allows a direct readout of the slab thickness and the location of hidden objects or defects.
• In this example a B-Scan of a concrete object containing steel pipes.

A-Scan

• A-Scan allows direct analysis of the raw signal.
• Digital filters for better echo visibility and noise suppression.
• Automatic readout of slab thickness (Echo tracker).

Area Scan

• Contour map of results over a concrete surface, either Velocity or thickness values can be mapped.
• A gate function can focus the results in the region of most concern such as reflections from the back of a tunnel grout layer.