AU2015100588A4 - Wear indicator for concrete - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a wear indicator 10 for embedding in a concrete layer, such as a concrete slab 100, to facilitate indicating wear of the concrete layer. The wear indicator 10 comprises an elongate body 12 defining a longitudinal axis A. The elongate body 12 is formed from a plurality of layers 12a, 12b, 12c along the longitudinal axis A, with each of the layers having a different visual appearance. 12e A 12b 12c 12f 14 100a 10 12e 12b 12c 12f 16

Description

1 "Wear indicator for concrete" Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to monitoring wear of a concrete layer, such as a concrete slab, wall or lining. Accordingly, a wear indicator and a wear indicating method are disclosed. The indicator and method have been developed primarily for use in monitoring wear of concrete slabs exposed to mechanical and/or chemical erosion. However, it will be appreciated that the indicator and method are not limited to such use. Background [0002] Industrial concrete slabs, such as those used in warehouses, storage bunkers and waste management facilities, can be subjected to extremely harsh conditions. For example, such slabs can be subject to a high degree of wear as a result of mechanical abrasion from plant and equipment and/or as a result of chemical erosion. [0003] Monitoring the extent of concrete slab wear can be difficult, especially in scenarios where vision of the slab surface is impeded by dirt, debris, plant and equipment or other material. Even when the slab surface is relatively visible, it would be advantageous to provide a mechanism for simplifying detection of slab wear and its extent. [0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. [0005] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

2 Summary [0006] In a first aspect, there is provided a wear indicator for embedding in a concrete layer to facilitate indicating wear of the concrete layer, the wear indicator comprising: an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis, the body being formed from a plurality of layers along the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the layers has a different visual appearance. [0007] Each of the layers of the wear indicator may be of a different colour. [0008] One or more reinforcing elements may bridge joins between the layers. The one or more reinforcing elements may comprise one or more wires, which may have a coiled configuration. [0009] An anchor may extend from one end of the elongate body to facilitate fastening the wear indicator to the concrete layer. [0010] The elongate body may have a length of up to 150mm, in some embodiments of up to 60mm and in some embodiments of around 30mm. The layers of the wear indicator may be up to around 50mm thick measured along the longitudinal axis, in some embodiments may be up to 20mm thick and in some embodiments may be around 10mm thick. The elongate body may be cylindrical and in some embodiments may be circular cylindrical with a diameter of up to around 150mm, in some embodiments of up to 100mm and in some embodiments of around 50mm. [0011] The elongate body may have wear characteristics similar to those of the concrete layer, such that the wear indicator wears at a similar rate to the concrete layer. The elongate body may be formed from a resin, such as a polyurethane resin. [0012] In a second aspect, there is provided a method of indicating wear of a concrete layer, the method comprising: providing a wear indicator according to the first aspect above; embedding the wear indicator in a concrete layer, such that a longitudinal end of the elongate body is substantially flush with the surface of the concrete layer. [0013] The elongate body may have wear characteristics similar to those of the concrete layer, such that the wear indicator wears at a similar rate to the concrete layer.

3 [0014] A plurality of the wear indicators may be installed in the concrete layer at spaced apart locations. In some embodiments, around fifty wear indicators may be installed per 100m 2 surface area of the concrete layer. [0015] The wear indicator may be embedded in the concrete layer by having the concrete layer cast therearound. Alternatively, the wear indicator may be embedded in the concrete layer by being inserted into a recess in the concrete layer. In such embodiments, an adhesive, such as an epoxy resin, may be used to secure the wear indicator in the recess, or the wear indicator may be secured in the recess by friction between the wear indicator and walls of the recess. Brief Description of Drawings [0016] An embodiment of the presently disclosed wear indicator and method will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the presently disclosed wear indicator; and Figure 2 is a partial schematic cross sectional view through a surface portion a concrete slab with the wear indicator of Figure 1 installed therein. Description of Embodiments [0017] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a wear indicator 10 for embedding in a concrete layer, such as a concrete slab 100, to facilitate indicating wear of the concrete layer. The wear indicator comprises a substantially circular cylindrical elongate body 12 defining a longitudinal axis A. The elongate body 12 is formed from a plurality of layers 12a, 12b, 12c along the longitudinal axis A, with each of the layers having a different visual appearance. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the layers 12a, 12b, 12c is of a different colour, with layer 12a being cream, layer 12b being green and layer 12c being red. [0018] The embodiment of the wear indicator 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is for a concrete slab 100 having around 30mm of cover over its upper layer of steel reinforcement. As such, the elongate body 12 is around 30mm long measured along the longitudinal axis A, with each of the layers 12a, 12b, 12c being approximately 10mm thick. In the illustrated embodiment, the 4 elongate body 12 has a diameter of around 50mm. However, a greater diameter may be desirable, for example, in applications where the concrete slab 100 may be exposed to particularly dirty or dusty conditions, or where the wear indicator may be obscured for other reasons. [0019] The elongate body 12 is formed from a material having wear characteristics similar to those of the concrete layer 100, such that the wear indicator wears at a similar rate to the concrete layer. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate body 12 is formed from a polyurethane resin, with each of the layers 12a, 12b, 12c being formed from a differently coloured polyurethane resin. The layers 12a, 12b, 12c are formed around a reinforcing element in the form of a coiled steel wire 14, which bridges the joins between the layers to enhance bonding therebetween. The longitudinal axis of the coiled wire 14 is flexed into a substantially circular shape, such that the coiled wire extends substantially circularly within the elongate body 12 around the longitudinal axis A. [0020] In use, a plurality of the wear indicators 10 are embedded in the concrete slab 100 at spaced apart locations. Typically, around fifty wear indicators 10 are installed per 100m2 surface area of the concrete slab, depending on the application concerned. For example, in applications where the concrete slab 100 is likely to be particularly dirty or dusty, or where the wear indicators 10 may be obscured for other reasons, a greater number of wear indicators 10 may be installed per unit area of the concrete slab 100. The wear indicators 10 are embedded in the slab 100 such that a longitudinal end 12e of the elongate body 12 is substantially flush with the surface 100a of the slab. [0021] The wear indicators 10 may be embedded in a concrete slab 100 during slab construction by having the slab cast therearound. In such embodiments, an anchor 16 extends from end 12f of the elongate body 12 to facilitate fastening the wear indicator 10 to the slab 100, for example by mechanical connection to steel reinforcement in the slab. The anchor 16 may be formed by a loop in ends of wires 14 extending from the elongate body. Alternatively, recesses may be formed in an existing concrete slab 100, for example by coring, and the wear indicators 10 may be inserted into the recesses and secured in place by an adhesive, such as an epoxy resin, or by a friction fit. [0022] It will be appreciated that until the slab 100 surface has been eroded by 10mm, layer 12a will be exposed. However, once the slab surface has eroded by more than 10mm, layer 12b 5 will become exposed, and after the slab surface has been eroded by more than 20mm, layer 12c will become exposed. Accordingly, the illustrated wear indicator 10 advantageously facilitates visual identification of slab wear and the extent of slab wear. As such, use of the wear indicators facilitates scheduling maintenance/rehabilitation of the slab 100. Also, if the wear indicators 10 indicate that some areas of the slab surface are being eroded more quickly than others, activities on the slab 100 can be adjusted accordingly, for example by relocating activities that expose the slab to high wear to a less eroded area of the slab or by assessing the activities taking place on the high wear areas and adjusting those activities to reduce wear. Another advantage of the illustrated wear indicator 10 is the provision of multiple layers 12a, 12b, 12c of different visual appearance, which facilitates identification of slab wear by eye, without the need for specialised wear detection equipment. [0023] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of possible variations and/or modifications include, but are not limited to: * the elongate body 12 may have a different length matched to the extent of concrete wear to be indicated for the application concerned; * the layers 12a, 12b, 12c of the wear indicator may be greater or less than 10mm depending on the gradation of wear indication desired for the application concerned; * the elongate body 12 may comprise only two layers or may comprise more than three layers; * the elongate body 12 may have a diameter of greater or less than 150mm; * the elongate body 12 may be formed from concrete or other materials having similar wear characteristics to the concrete slab 100; * the layers 12a, 12b, 12c of the wear indicator may have different patterns therein rather than being of different colours; and/or * the spiral wires bridging the joins between layers 12a, 12b, 12c may be replaced by one or more other reinforcing elements, such as fibres.

Claims (5)

1. A wear indicator for embedding in a concrete layer to facilitate indicating wear of the concrete layer, the wear indicator comprising: an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis, the body being formed from a plurality of layers along the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the layers has a different visual appearance.

2. A wear indicator according to claim 1, wherein each of the layers of the wear indicator is of a different colour.

3. A wear indicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the elongate body has a length of around 30mm.

4. A method of indicating wear of a concrete layer, the method comprising: providing a wear indicator according to any one of the preceding claims; embedding the wear indicator in a concrete layer, such that a longitudinal end of the elongate body is substantially flush with the surface of the concrete layer.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the elongate body has wear characteristics similar to those of the concrete layer, such that the wear indicator wears at a similar rate to the concrete layer.