Olson Technology CTG-2 User manual

CTG-2 with WinCTG2 Software Version 1.7
CONCRETE THICKNESS GAUGE (CTG
-
2)
System Reference Manual
PATENT PENDING

1
NOTICES
Errors and Omissions
This document is believed to be accurate, but Olson Instruments, Inc. will not be
responsible for any errors or omissions which may be found. Further, Olson Instruments
will not be responsible for any damages resulting from any errors or omissions.
Proprietary Information
This document, as well as all software written by Olson Instruments, Inc., is proprietary
to Olson Instruments, Inc. This manual may not be sold, reproduced, or used with any
other product other than the Olson Instruments CTG-2 unless approved by Olson
Instruments, Inc. Further, this manual and the accompanying software may not be used
by any party other than the original purchaser without prior approval of Olson
Instruments, Inc.
Warranty
(See Sales Contract Documents)
Copyright
Copyright 2016 by Olson Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system,
without prior written permission of the above named copyright holder.
Written by:
Olson Instruments, Inc.
12401 W. 49
th
Avenue
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
USA 80033-1927
Office: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Revised: August 2017

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Organization and Scope of Manual ..................................................................................................................4
1.2 Test Methodology.............................................................................................................................................4
2.0 HARDWARE ........................................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Hardware Component Listing...........................................................................................................................5
2.2 Location and Replacement of Batteries............................................................................................................6
2.3 Hardware Setup ...............................................................................................................................................7
3.0 WinCTG2 SOFTWARE SETUP .........................................................................................................................10
3.1 Prerequisite Software.....................................................................................................................................10
3.2 Software Installation.......................................................................................................................................10
3.3 Software Updates...........................................................................................................................................10
3.4 Software Uninstallation...................................................................................................................................10
4.0 DATA AQUISITION............................................................................................................................................12
4.1 General Information about the WinCTG2 Software........................................................................................12
4.2 IE Data Acquisition without Velocity Calibration .............................................................................................13
4.3 IE Data Acquisition with Known-Thickness Velocity Calibration.....................................................................21
4.4 View Mode .....................................................................................................................................................23
4.5 Thick Concrete Testing ..................................................................................................................................24
4.6 Units...............................................................................................................................................................25
4.7 Volume...........................................................................................................................................................25
4.8 Save Parameters ...........................................................................................................................................25
4.9 Reset Parameters ..........................................................................................................................................26
4.10 Operation Notes and Tips ............................................................................................................................26
5.0 WinCTG2 SOFTWARE ANALYSIS....................................................................................................................29
5.1 Start Program.................................................................................................................................................29
5.2 Open Data Files .............................................................................................................................................30
5.3 Filtering ..........................................................................................................................................................30
5.4 Windowing......................................................................................................................................................31
5.5 Concrete Velocity ...........................................................................................................................................33
5.6 Open Next Data File.......................................................................................................................................33
6.0 WinCTG2 SOFTWARE EXPORTING OPTIONS ...............................................................................................34
6.1 Copy or Save Image.......................................................................................................................................34
6.2 Export Test Results to Comma Separated Format.........................................................................................34
6.3 Export Raw Data to Comma Separated Format.............................................................................................35
7.0 WinCTG2 SOFTWARE LANGUAGE OPTIONS ................................................................................................36
8.0 CARE AND MAINTENANCE..............................................................................................................................37
APPENDIX A................................................................................................................................................................38

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INTRODUCTION
The Olson Instruments CTG-2 system is commonly used for thickness evaluation and
rapid flaw detection on concrete and masonry structural materials. The method is
normally applied to plate-like objects such as slabs and walls, but is also used on
columns, mat foundations, and beams. The method requires access to only one side for
testing.
The CTG-2 is a powerful, hand-held device meant to be used with most Windows 7 and
Windows 8 laptop computers or tablets. The CTG-2 is designed to measure the
thickness of concrete slabs and walls in the range of approximately 3.2 inches (8.1 cm)
out to about 6 feet (1.8 m) without the need for drilling, coring, or other means. Test
results are acquired and analyzed with Olson’s WinCTG2 software, making the CTG-2
system a fully functional Impact Echo (IE) based thickness measuring system, capable
of analyzing echoes from multiple cracks and other flaws. In addition, a summary of test
results can be saved in comma separated format for use in an excel spreadsheet.
The WinCTG2 software features a graphical display of both the raw time signal as well
as the received signal spectrum (which can be saved and recalled), which allows visual
indication of data quality, easy differentiation of bad data, and even the location of
partial cracking damage. This unit can also be used to determine relative concrete
quality (by measuring concrete compression wave velocity) for test cylinders and other
samples with known thicknesses. The device can also be used for thickness
measurements of many materials other than concrete, such as plastics, stone, etc.,
depending on the properties and internal structure of the material being tested.
The CTG-2, when used with the default concrete velocity value of 12,000 fps, has an
accuracy of up to approximately 10%. This accuracy can be improved to approximately
2% when the unit is calibrated for velocity at a location of known thickness.
To confirm functionality of the CTG-2, it is advised to test the unit on a slab of known
thickness or on a 6” x 12” concrete cylinder which can be readily obtained from a
concrete supplier.
The CTG-2 with automated solenoid and displacement transducer comes with a phone-
plug-to-phone-plug cable used to connect the unit to a laptop or tablet. A microphone
adaptor is included to ensure the cable will work with different microphone/headset
ports. A USB jump drive is supplied with the necessary software and a microUSB-to-
USB cable is included so the software on the USB jump drive can be downloaded onto
Windows devices. The user must supply a Windows 7 or Windows 8 laptop/tablet.
Details of the hardware and its usage are included in Section 2.0. Suggested Windows
devices that are known to work with the CTG-2 are listed in Appendix A.

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1.1 O ganization and Scope of Manual
The CTG-2 is a sturdy battery powered unit designed for easy, fast, and reliable
operation by anyone with no special training required for basic operation. This manual
covers step-by-step hardware assembly, software setup, simplified operation
instructions for data acquisition, data analysis, and output generation. If any problems
with the system appear that are not covered in this manual, please call Olson
Instruments at the number included in the front of this manual.
1.2 Test Methodology
The Impact Echo tests performed with the CTG-2 involve impacting the
concrete/masonry member with an impactor solenoid and identifying the reflected wave
energy with a displacement transducer as shown in the figure below. Note that the
solenoid impactor and displacement transducer are built into the IE head. The test head
is pressed against the top of the tested member and held while tests are performed at
each test point. The resonant echoes of the displacement responses are usually not
apparent in the time domain, but are more easily identified in the frequency domain.
Therefore, amplitude spectra of the displacement responses are calculated by
performing a Fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis to determine the resonant echo
peak(s). The relationship among the resonant echo depth frequency peak (f), the
compression wave velocity (V
P
) and the echo depth (D) is expressed in the following
equation:
D = βV
p
/(2*f) (1)
where βis a geometric shape factor ranging in value from 0.8 for a pier/column shape to
0.96 for a slab/wall shape. A slab/wall shape has a single thickness resonance while
beam and column shapes have multiple resonances due to their cross-sectional shape.

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2.0 HARDWARE
The CTG-2 system consists of a few basic components
packaged into a carrying case. The carrying case with
foam insert stores the CTG-2 IE test head and cables. It
includes a small compartment to store four CR123A 3V
spare batteries. A description of each of the included
components as well as their connection and operation is
included in the following sections.
2.1 Ha dwa e Component Listing
COMPONENT NAME
COMPONENT NAMECOMPONENT NAME
COMPONENT NAME QTY
QTYQTY
QTY DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTIONDESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
CTG
CTGCTG
CTG-
--
-2 IE
2 IE 2 IE
2 IE Test
Test Test
Test Head
HeadHead
Head 1
11
1
The test head includes an aut mated s len id
impact r t create the impact and a
displacement transducer sens r t receive the
signal. Includes f ur CR123A 3V lithium ph t
batteries.
Ph ne
Ph nePh ne
Ph ne-
--
-Plug
PlugPlug
Plug-
--
-t
tt
t -
--
-
Ph ne
Ph nePh ne
Ph ne-
--
-Plu
PluPlu
Plug
gg
g Cable
CableCable
Cable 1
11
1 T c nnect the IE Test Head t the Micr ph ne
Adapt r.
Micr ph ne Adapt r
Micr ph ne Adapt rMicr ph ne Adapt r
Micr ph ne Adapt r 1
11
1 T c nnect the Ph ne-Plug-t -Ph ne-Plug
Cable t the Wind ws device.
Ols n Jump Drive
Ols n Jump DriveOls n Jump Drive
Ols n Jump Drive
1
11
1 Jump Drive with Ols n WinCTG2 S ftware.
USB t Micr USB
USB t Micr USB USB t Micr USB
USB t Micr USB
Adapt
AdaptAdapt
Adapt r
rr
r 1
11
1 T c nnect Jump Drive with Ols n WinCTG2
S ftware t Wind ws Device.

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2.2 Location and Replacement of Batte ies
The CTG-2 is provided with four CR123A 3V nonrechargeable long life lithium photo
batteries to power the system. (If desired, rechargeable CR123A 3V batteries can be
purchased and used with the unit.) The CTG-2 unit is designed to turn on when the
toggle switch on the base of the unit is flipped into the on position, making the indicator
light at the top of the handle illuminate green.
When the batteries are losing power, the green light will not illuminate. Instead, the red
light will come on. To ensure accurate readings, the batteries must be replaced at this
time. When light fails to illuminate (either green or red), the batteries have lost power
and MUST be replaced.
Location of the Batteries: the four CR123A batteries that power the CTG-2 IE test
head are located inside the handle of the test head.
Battery Replacement: To replace the batteries, follow these steps:
1. Using the toggle switch located at the base of the IE head, turn off the unit and
make sure the green light on the handle is not illuminated.
2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2 screws at the rear of the handle as
shown in the picture below. Remove the battery compartment cover.
We recommend carrying spare batteries, and have provided a space for
them in the carrying case.
i

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3. Turn the front of the unit upward to allow the batteries to slide out.
4. Insert new batteries following the polarity diagram inside the handle as shown in
the pictures below.
5. Replace the battery cover and screws.
2.3 Ha dwa e Setup
1. Connect the Phone-Plug-to-Phone-Plug Cable to the IE Test Head as shown in the
picture below.
Do not expose the CTG-2 system or the batteries to water.
!

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2. Connect the other end of the Phone-Plug-to-Phone-Plug Cable to the Microphone
Adaptor, if necessary (laptops and desktops will not normally require the microphone
adaptor). There are two jacks on the Microphone Adaptor. One is identified with a
microphone icon. The other is identified with a headset icon. Select the appropriate
jack. Tablets will normally require the microphone jack. Note: the CTG-2 unit will
NOT work with tablets that have only a headphone jack. The tablet MUST support a
headset OR microphone.
3. Connect the other end of the Microphone Adaptor to the Windows Device. Or, if
using a laptop/desktop, connect the other end of the Phone-Plug-to-Phone-Plug
Cable to the Windows Device.

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4. Flip the toggle switch on the base of the IE test head to activate the unit. When the
green light is illuminated, the IE test head is powered up and ready to collect data.
5. The picture below shows the complete CTG-2 system ready to acquire data. In this
case, an 8” tablet is being used. We recommend a minimum 8” size tablet. We
recommend that the tablet be used in “landscape” mode.