Intelligent monitoring of concrete pours cuts time on site

Intelligent monitoring of concrete strengths is helping contractors shave weeks off construction programmes, according to formwork specialist Doka. Its Concremote system measures the temperature of the concrete, converts that to predicted strength and allows the contractor to strike the formwork when the concrete is ready – rather than waiting for a set number of days. “Concretemote is being used on 20 to 25 projects,” said Doka’s director of research and development Johann Peneder.
April 12, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The Concremote concrete monitor can allow contractors to strike forms earlier

Intelligent monitoring of concrete strengths is helping contractors shave weeks off construction programmes, according to formwork specialist 203 Doka. Its Concremote system measures the temperature of the concrete, converts that to predicted strength and allows the contractor to strike the formwork when the concrete is ready – rather than waiting for a set number of days.

“Concretemote is being used on 20 to 25 projects,” said Doka’s director of research and development Johann Peneder. “In some countries we cannot fully use the advantages of Concremote due to the regulations, which are based on previous experience, but this is the first steps towards employing techniques which will give a more efficient and economical way to build.”

The latest development of the Concremote system will see formwork panels with ready-made positions for the Concremote sensor to plug into - currently it sits on top of the concrete pour. Called Concremote plug.IN, this addition will allow faster and more flexible monitoring of concrete strengths, Peneder added.

“Contractors can use products such as Concemote for long-term quality monitoring of the job sit,” he continued. “They can then add that data into the BIM model and can transfer that data to the owner.”

One of Concremote’s current applications demonstrates its benefits in countries with huge climatic variation. On Canada’s Muskrat Falls hydro power project, where temperatures can fall to minus 40degrees C, it has allowed earlier striking of forms but also ongoing monitoring of the concrete after striking. This allows the contractor to protect the concrete where necessary to avoid temperature shock - between the hot concrete and cold outside - and hence prevent damage.

All videos

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Doka’s stripped-back d3 tower for emerging markets
    April 19, 2016
    In 2015, formwork specialist Doka’s turnover passed the euro1billion mark – and over half of that came from outside Europe. It is perhaps not surprising that it is devoting some of the 200,000 hours a year it spends on R&D to adapting existing products for new global markets. At bauma 2016, Doka is showcasing one such product: the Load-bearing tower d3, aimed at emerging markets. It has designed the d3 for heavy loads, high shoring heights, and many different configurations to provide flexibility. “W
    Read More
  • New methods allow concrete testing on the spot
    July 20, 2015
    This month we look at two new methods which are allowing concrete to be tested on the spot, and [over the page] we catch up on the latest news from concrete testing equipment suppliers - Kristina Smith writes Sometimes test results can be very bad news. If the concrete pavement or bridge abutment has already been poured, and if the concrete does not meet the specification, the outcome could be very expensive remedial work.
    Read More
  • Doka eyes Grand Paris project
    April 25, 2018
    A huge tunnel formwork takes centre stage on Doka’s stand at Intermat, as the French arm of the business looks to Europe’s biggest infrastructure project, the €38.5 billion Grand Paris Express metro. “In the last few years, Doka has become well-known in the residential sector in France. Now we want to show that we are experts in infrastructure as well,” says Doka France’s head of product management and marketing, Oscar Castilla. The tunnel formwork, SL1, used to form the crown of a tunnel, has recently b
    Read More
  • Formwork plays a leading role in global infrastructure projects
    June 13, 2012
    New and highly regarded existing formwork systems have been used in major recent transport-related construction projects across the globe. Guy Woodford looks at some of their applications The multi-million dollar Mississippi River Bridge project in the United State is creating a vital new gateway between Illinois and Missouri. Central to the project is the realignment and reconstruction of Interstate 70 and a new landmark bridge, featuring two pylons projecting vertically from the Mississippi river bed w
    Read More

Highlighted Content