Impact-Echo Method for Non-Destructive Testing of High-Temperature-Degraded Cement-Based Composite

Abstract

Non-destructive acoustic analysis method Impact-echo method as a traditional method for civil engineering was used for this experiment. The paper deals with the applicability of Impactecho acoustic method to testing of cement-based composites prepared from a mix of cement mortar and quartz sand, which were intentionally degraded by high-temperature treatment (in the temperatures range from 200°C to 1200°C). The aim of this paper is introduce the effect of high-temperature degradation. An understanding of microstructure performance relationships is the key to true understanding of material behaviors. The results of non-destructive testing confirmed the different structure of mortar specimens. The subjected to high-temperatures led to absorption of lower frequencies as compared to the reference specimens. A significant decrease of the absorbed frequencies was observed, depending on temperature. The largest decrease occurred after the specimens exposure at 400-600 °C. The effect of heat exposure to the decrease of frequencies was mitigated to the temperature degradation 1200 °C.