E!12777 ConSense - sensing and predicting concrete maturity

Despite well-known curing processes in a controlled environment, factors such as temp., wind, humidity etc..affects curing in in-situ concrete casting. Current monitoring solutions are expensive, difficult and time-consuming, causing a lack of data in construction planning and quality assurance, costing millions of dollars in defects and delays. Sensohives integrated and wireless temp./moisture sensing with prediction modelling available through a simple HMI on smartphones and tablets solves the problem and redefine the market.

The effects of this project has mainly improved effectiveness and efficiency for the construction industry. NTNU has gotten real-life projects for students, and a new opening for research into Human-Centred design.

The goal of the ConSense project is to develop a sensor kit, data platform and a combined concrete strength and maturity prediction model able of predicting curing times, enabling even greater benefits to be gained in the more complex field of in-situ concrete casting. The sensor kit will be the only solution on the market delivering highly accurate, real time data on both temperature and moisture levels, as well as proactive data on predicted maturity levels. The prediction model uses advanced grey-box prediction modelling on top known concrete maturity models from read mix suppliers, corrected for relevant external factors, local weather forecasts and real-time on-site humidity, wind and temperature data from a weather station at the construction site. The prediction model will be using the latest techniques in handling uncertainty, to deliver practically applicable data, to be used as a basis for quality assurance and decision-making concerning construction planning (e.g. flooring, constructing next level etc.) and the use of heaters and shielding. ConSense can also be a help with the planning of when workers are needed at the building site – which add extra value to the solution, as efficiency at the construction site increases. ConSense is expected to eliminate direct costs of handling defects caused by untimely flooring on wet concrete decks etc., recasting and delays caused by incorrect expectations for concrete curing times. On a typical 10,000 m2 construction site, daily costs are around 400,000 € , and as rule of thumb, 5-8% of the total enterprise is dedicated to quality assurance (QA) and repairs (too early flooring easily reaching 100,000 €)*. Estimated costs for using ConSense will be around only 7,500 €, reducing QA and repair costs and costs incurred by delays.