EMBEDDED MATERIAL TESTING DEVICE AND METHOD

摘要

The present invention features an apparatus and method for performing in-situ acoustic testing within cement-based construction materials. The testing apparatus comprises a disposable acoustic probe that is implanted into the fresh material at the time of construction, for the purpose of monitoring the rate of development of material properties. The apparatus also comprises an external control system that serves to generate and record acoustic signals, temporarily connected to the probe through the external surface of the material at the time of testing. The acoustic testing methods used to infer early-age stiffness and strength include the analysis of pulse velocity, energy attenuation, frequency transmission, or a combination thereof. The system presents several advantages over current testing protocols, being non-destructive, relevant to in-situ material properties, and widely applicable to field operations with minimal operator-dependence.