Interactions of concrete with persistent prevailing environmental conditions will alter its material properties and cause deteriorations. Such phenomenon are very common in various elements of dams. Diagnosis of the residual strength of aging concrete of these elements necessitates their periodic health monitoring. For this purpose imaging the status of concrete using ultrasonic pulse velocity technique provides useful diagnostic tool for adopting suitable preventive measures. To monitor the effect of aging on post construction performance of concrete periodic investigations were carried out in the gallery of a hydroelectric project exposed to sulphate aggressivity. Based on visual status of concrete three different test locations were identified both on upstream as well as downstream faces of galleries and test points were en-marked. Ultrasonic pulse wave velocity across these points were observed initially in year 2008 and subsequently in year 2013. Based on these observations a comparative evaluation of residual strength is assessed which indicates aging deterioration.

Full text: IJEIR_954_Final.pdf