The Surfer (UK1401) - Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
Specifications - Video - Measuring Mode
The UK1401 Surfer is an ultrasonic pulse velocity tester, it uses dry point contact transducers to determine an indirect UPV measurement, also known as a surface UPV.
The surfer is suitable for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic compression waves [also known as P-waves] in hard materials including concrete, rocks, and ceramics.
It is commonly used to compare the relative quality or strength of concrete and rock, and also to estimate crack depths in concrete structures.
The Surfer's major advantage as a compact, handheld unit is immediate testing and feedback, the drypoint contact transducers require no gel or grease to measure with.
Video
Applications
There are many applications for the Surfer, these are the jobs for which the surfer can be used, for detail on the measurement modes please look at two sections below.
- The determination of the strength and integrity of the concrete.
- The Surfer includes an estimation of MPa compression strength with inbuilt calibration curves
- Detect close-to-surface flaws by velocity decreasing or increasing around a potential flaw
- Evaluation of the degree of anisotropy in composite materials
- Evaluation of the degree of concrete aging
- Automatically evaluation of concrete crack depths perpendicular to the concrete surface
- Evaluation of porosity and fissuring in materials
Rock Testing:
It is the most common method to use ultrasonic pulse velocity to determine the quality of rocks. Surfer has been a very common tool for Rock testing in the Tunneling and Moning Industry. The ultrasonic Compression waves[P-Waves] are used to determine the strength of hard materials Like Rocks.
Features
The device features an ergonomic body made from lightweight shock-proof plastic that makes it very convenient to work with the infield.
- Built-in automatic gain regulation system
- Audible indication of test success
- Data logs up to 4000 readings with the ability to group readings
- USB data transfer to PC
Measurement Modes
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Velocity & Transmission Time
Time is the raw measurement recorded by the UK1401. As the DPC transducers are at a fixed 150 mm spacing the unit can also calculate compression wave velocity. -
Concrete Compressive Strength
Included with the Surfer firmware is a mode to estimate concrete compressive strength, with two correlation curves, one valid between 12.5>45 MPa and another between 45 > 75 MPa. As with all correlated measurements the operator should consider creating and using their own correlation curve specific to local materials, but this mode offer a quick estimate. -
Crack Depth
A trigonometric estimate of concrete crack depth can be taken with the Surfer. Illustrated below, the instrument determines the crack depth DC comparing the propagation time t of the ultrasonic waves in the path without crack (path ADB) to crack interrupted propagation time t0 in the path with a crack (path ACB).
Technical Specifications
| Time measurement range | 15 - 100 µs |  |
| Velocity measurement range | 1500 - 9999 m/s | |
| Crack depth measurement range | 10-50 mm | |
| Measuring error | ±1 % | |
| Working frequency | 50 kHz | |
| Operation temperature range | -20° to +50° C | |
| Operation time | 100 hours | |
| Size | 200 x 120 x 35 mm | |
| Weight of electronic unit | 350 g | |
| Quantity of objects in memory | 4000 | |
| Warranty | 1 year |
