Non-destructive assessment of carbonation in concrete using the ultrasonic test: Influenced parameters

Concrete carbonation is a continuous and slow process from the outside to the inside, in which its penetration slows down with the increased depth of carbonation. In this paper, the results of the evaluation of the measurement of concrete carbonation depth using a non-destructive ultrasonic testing method are presented. According to the results, the relative nonlinear parameter caused more sensitivity in carbonation changes compared to Rayleigh's fuzzy velocity. Thus, the acoustic nonlinear parameter is expected to be applied as a quantitative index to recognize carbonation effects. In this research, combo diagrams were developed based on the results of ultrasonic testing and the experiment to determine carbonation depth using a phenolphthalein solution, which could be considered as instructions in the projects involving non-destructive ultrasonic test methods. The minimum and maximum accuracy of this method were 89% and 97%, respectively, which is a reasonable range for operational projects. From the analysis performed, some useful expressions are found by applying the regression analysis for the nonlinearity index and the carbonation penetration depth values as a guideline.