On the study of elastic wave scattering and Rayleigh wave velocity measurement of concrete with steel bar

This paper presents results on a study of the Rayleigh wave scattering and Rayleigh wave velocity measurement in concrete with a steel bar using transient elastic waves. To study the characteristics of the scattered waves induced by a steel bar in concrete, a three-dimensional heterogeneous finite difference formulation with staggered grids was adopted. The cases for both elastic wave propagation parallel and perpendicular to the steel bar are discussed. The effect of the cover thickness and steel bar spacing on the Rayleigh wave velocity measurement was studied. To confirm the numerical investigations, a concrete specimen containing steel bar was made and the corresponding transient elastic wave experiments were conducted. The numerical results are in good accordance with those of the measured. We note that the result of this study can serve as an important reference in the Rayleigh wave velocity measurement of concrete with steel bar.