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Ultrasonic pulse velocity test for non-destructive investigations of historical masonries: an experimental study of the effect of frequency and applied load on the response of a limestone

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Abstract

The ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) method can be conveniently used for non-destructive testing of physical–mechanical properties of the stones within historical masonry, as well as to check the state of damage and microcracking. Before to proceed with in situ measurements, it is important to assess the contribution that both intrinsic characteristics of the stones and external factors may give to the ultrasonic response. In this work the effect of different wave frequencies, sample geometry and application of a compression load on the response of a natural stone to UPV test has been investigated. An extensive experimental campaign in laboratory conditions was carried out on a soft limestone, used in the historical building heritage of the Southern Italy. A negligible UPV dispersion was found at the used frequencies of 1 MHz, 120 and 55 kHz when a compression load was not applied; the measured velocities were found to be influenced by the stone inhomogeneity rather than by the sample size. They showed a slight decrease and still negligible dispersion under load up to the visible damage. Dispersion increased with the cracking progression. This indicates that enhanced capability of UPV, in checking material quality and damage conditions, can be obtained by combining the use of different wave frequencies.

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Acknowledgments

This research was carried out in the frame of the A.I.Te.C.H. (Applied Innovation Technologies for Diagnosis and Conservation of Built Heritage) Network of research laboratories and PRO.ME.TE.O.S. (Advanced Products, Methodologies and Technologies for the Diagnosis and Conservation of Historical Built Heritage) Project and supported by Puglia P.O. 2007–2013 FESR funds. The authors want to tank DRC (Diagnostic Research Company) Italia and Michele Massaccesi for the valuable support during the experiments and for instrument provision, technical instructions and precious assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IBAM—CNR (Institute for Archeological and Monumental Heritage—National Research Council), Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy

    E. Vasanelli & A. Calia

  2. ENEA, S.S. 7 Appia km 706, 72100, Brindisi, Italy

    V. Luprano

  3. Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, via Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy

    F. Micelli

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  1. E. Vasanelli
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  2. A. Calia
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  3. V. Luprano
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  4. F. Micelli
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Correspondence to A. Calia.

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Vasanelli, E., Calia, A., Luprano, V. et al. Ultrasonic pulse velocity test for non-destructive investigations of historical masonries: an experimental study of the effect of frequency and applied load on the response of a limestone. Mater Struct 50, 38 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-016-0892-7

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