Prediction of characteristics of cement stabilized earth blocks using non-destructive testing: Ultrasonic pulse velocity and electrical resistivity

The quality monitoring procedure is so tricky in cement-stabilized earth masonry buildings that it is typically avoided. As a potential means of enhancing the aforementioned quality control, the current study investigates some statistical analyses regarding the relationship between two non-destructive tests (ultrasonic pulse velocity and electrical resistivity) and the density and compressive strength of cement-stabilized earth blocks (CSEB). Blocks with ten different cement-soil mixes were cast and tested considering three soil types and various cementto-soil ratios. Correlation analysis was done to determine the best relationship between the properties of stabilized earth blocks (density, dry compressive strength and saturated compressive strength) and non-destructive measurements (ultrasonic pulse velocity and electrical resistivity). To adequately describe the variability in compressive strength using both types of non-destructive testing, univariate and multivariate regression models were set up. When multivariate models (using a combination of UPV and electrical resistivity) were used to predict the dependent variable showed a stronger correction between properties of CSEBs and non-destructive measurements. It is shown that a combination of UPV and electrical resistivity can be used to qualitatively evaluate the properties of CSEBs for better accuracy.

Automated summary

The current study investigates the feasibility of using statistical analyses on the relationship between two non-destructive tests (ultrasonic pulse velocity and electrical resistivity) and the density and compressive strength of cement-stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) as a means to enhance quality control in cement-stabilized earth masonry buildings. Ten different cement-soil mixes were cast and tested, considering three soil types and various cement-to-soil ratios. Correlation analysis was used to determine the best relationship between the properties of CSEBs and non-destructive measurements. Univariate and multivariate regression models were set up to describe the variability in compressive strength using both types of non-destructive testing. The results show that a combination of ultrasonic pulse velocity and electrical resistivity can be used to qualitatively evaluate the properties of CSEBs for better accuracy.