Eight standards are analyzed in this paper. The comparison and analysis of the standards are followed by a critical evaluation. The evaluation is necessarily subjective; nevertheless, it is hoped that it will help improve the use of the ultrasonic pulse velocity method and contribute to the improvement of future specifications.

The test method specified in all standards is based on the same principle. Pulses of longitudinal, elastic stress waves are generated by an electro-acoustical transducer that is held in direct contact with the surface of the concrete under test. After traversing through the concrete, the pulses are received and converted into electrical energy by a second transducer.

This common principle is expressed in somewhat different ways among the standards of various nations. There are also differences in how the standards discuss the factors that affect pulse velocity in concrete, such as reinforcement, temperature, humidity, size and shape of the specimen, etc. These differences are discussed in the paper.