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 dry point 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 two sections below. 

• The determination of the strength and integrity of 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

Features

The device features an ergonomic body made from light weight shock-proof plastic that makes it very convenient to work with in field.

• 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
  • Data is exported as a .csv file

Measurement Modes

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