Application of ultrasound method to determine characteristic parameters of the cement setting process

摘要

The graduation thesis shows the possibility of using ultrasound method for evaluation of the cement setting process with frequency spectrum analysis. This particular ultrasound method was developed by dr. Gregor Trtnik in scope of his doctoral dissertation. The main goal is to determine, if ultrasound method is suitable and accurate enough to study effects, that different chemical and mineral admixtures have on the setting process of cementitious materials. First part of the thesis describes basic principles of ultrasound method, equipment needed to perform the experiment, and presents solution to evaluate obtained data. Specially designed software was used to analyse key parameters of the cement setting process. This is followed by main part of the thesis, where are presented differences between key properties of different cement mixtures, detected with ultrasound method. Finally, we compare standardised Vicat test for determination of the cement setting process with newly developed ultrasound method. It is shown, that ultrasound method is better suited for evaluation of setting and hardening process of cementitious material. Additionally, ultrasound method has the potential to be expanded and used for determination of elastic dynamic properties of the cementitious material in real time.