Acoustic Monitoring for Curing and Characterization of Advanced Cementitious Materials

Abstract

In this study, non-destructive acoustic techniques were adopted to obtain information about various processes occurring inside cementitious materials. During the fresh stage, acoustic emission (AE) was used to monitor the hydration process of mixtures with and without superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). Results showed that the process of internal curing, induced by the release of absorbed water from the SAPs, could be evaluated by AE. Secondly, ultrasonic measurements through pencil lead break tests were conducted on hardened specimens to characterize the sound microstructure and follow-up the crack healing process. Ultrasound recordings were found to be sensitive to pore formation, as well as to the closure of cracks over time.

Keywords

• acoustic emission
• ultrasound
• cement
• superabsorbent polymers
• internal curing
• self-healing concrete