A state-of-the-art approach for the direct and indirect measurements of the ultrasonic wave reflection on the fresh cement paste in determining the setting behavior via Fourier transformations

Hermawan, Harry ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6627-4643 and Fahmi, Fariz Rifqi Zul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3652-3886 (2025) A state-of-the-art approach for the direct and indirect measurements of the ultrasonic wave reflection on the fresh cement paste in determining the setting behavior via Fourier transformations. A state-of-the-art approach for the direct and indirect measurements of the ultrasonic wave reflection on the fresh cement paste in determining the setting behavior via Fourier transformations, 106 (112671). 01-21. ISSN 2352-7102

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Abstract

The setting and hardening of cement paste were crucial for casting fresh concrete in the field, as they directly impact the timing and cost of framework removal and other operations. The conventional Vicat needle test for setting time had several drawbacks, including being manually operated, time-consuming, irreproducible, and non-continuous. To address these issues, two ultrasonic methods (ultrasonic wave reflection direct (UWRD) and ultrasonic wave indirect
(UWRI)) were developed to monitor the stiffening process of cement paste. These methods analyzed waveform signals of longitudinal (P-wave) and shear (S-wave) waves that reflect at material boundaries (UWRD: paste-air interface; UWRI: acrylic-paste interface). The signals were processed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT). Cement pastes with three water-to-cement ratios (0.30, 0.40, 0.50) were tested, and results showed that
both methods accurately predicted the final setting time. The UWRD method determined the final setting time over 95 % accuracy by detecting the first reflected P-wave, although it could not
measure the initial setting time due to noise interference. The UWRI method identified the final setting time based on the lowest amplitude point of the S-wave reflection with a minor deviation of less than 6 % from the traditional measurement. The proposed UWRD and UWRI were effective, reliable alternatives to conventional methods for monitoring the setting behavior of cement paste. By providing automated, continuous, and reproducible measurements, these techniques have the potential to improve quality control in concrete construction and optimize scheduling in field applications.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Setting time Ultrasonic wave reflection Shear wave Cement paste Fourier transform
Subjects:	09 ENGINEERING > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090503 Construction Materials 09 ENGINEERING > 0905 Civil Engineering
Divisions:	Faculty of Technology > Department of Architecture
Depositing User:	Fariz Rifqi Zul Fahmi
Date Deposited:	02 Dec 2025 08:52

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