WO2017031526A1

WO2017031526A1 - System for reporting the maturity of a concrete

Info

Publication number: WO2017031526A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/000292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Calum WHEELER; Rob DOWNING
Original assignee: Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-25
Filing date: 2016-08-25
Publication date: 2017-03-02

Abstract

A system for reporting the maturity of a concrete, including at least one temperature sensor for sensing and recording temperatures of the concrete over time, a data retrieving device for retrieving the recorded temperatures from the at least one temperature sensor, a transmitter for transmitting the recorded temperatures and corresponding reference information, a first server for receiving the recorded temperatures and the corresponding reference information, a second server for verifying the corresponding reference information with record data, and a processor, wherein, upon a positive verification of the second server, analyses the recorded temperatures, calculates the maturity of the concrete, and provides a report online to a selected person.

Description

SYSTEM FOR REPORTING THE MATURITY OF A CONCRETE

PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001 ] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015903437 titled "SYSTEM FOR REPORTING THE MATURITY OF A CONCRETE" and filed 25 August 2015, the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for reporting the maturity of a concrete. BACKGROUND

[0003] It is important for contractors and engineers to have an appreciation for the strength of newly constructed concrete structures, for the purposes of safety and for ensuring that construction can occur in as timely a manner as possible.

[0004] It is known that the strength of the newly constructed concrete structure can be estimated using the structure's unique temperature history to determine the concrete maturity, and using information about the strength-maturity relationship of the composition of the concrete used.

[0005] Presently, there are a number of solutions that require expensive and complicated solutions to record the temperature, determine the concrete maturity and estimate the strength of the concrete. The solutions require skilled operators to perform the temperature readings and calculations. Present solutions also require that a skilled operator verify the accuracy and correctness of the information used to calculate the strength of the concrete.

[0006] There is thus a need to provide an alternative system. SUMMARY

[0007] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for reporting the maturity of a concrete, including at least one temperature sensor for sensing and recording temperatures of the concrete over time, a data retrieving device for retrieving the recorded temperatures from the at least one temperature sensor, a transmitter for transmitting the recorded temperatures and corresponding reference information, a first server for receiving the recorded temperatures and the corresponding reference information, a second server for verifying the corresponding reference information with record data, a processor, wherein upon a positive verification of the second server, analyses the recorded temperatures, calculates the maturity value of the concrete, and provides a report online to a selected person.

[0008] In another form, the processor further selects a strength-maturity model based on one or both of the corresponding reference data and record data to calculate the strength of the concrete, and includes a strength calculation in the report.

[0009] In another form, the record data includes information in relation to the composition of the concrete.

[0010] In another form, the system further includes a monitoring device for recording a pour time which is indicative of the time the concrete is poured, the pour time is used by the second server to verify the recorded temperatures.

[001 1 ] In another form, the monitoring device also records the composition of the concrete to verify the recorded temperatures.

[0012] In another form, the first server is a web server, external to the system of the second server, and wherein the second server is maintained by a supplier of the concrete.

[0013] In another form, the steps between the step of retrieving the recorded temperatures from the at least one temperature sensor and the step of providing a report to a selected person is automated, and without a need of any human involvement.

[0014] In another form, the corresponding reference information includes the location of the concrete. [0015] In another form, the location of the concrete is obtained through the use of GPS. [0016] In another form, the location of the concrete is input by an operator.

[0017] In another form, the data retrieving device includes a terminal for connecting the at least one temperature sensor, and a wireless module for communicating with the transmitter, and wherein the transmitter is a mobile device with wireless internet connectivity to communicate with the first server.

[0018] In another form, the mobile device is a mobile phone, or tablet, with software to accept input from a user, wherein the user enters on or more of the location of the concrete, an estimated concrete pour start time or an identification number of the batch of the concrete to be at least part of the corresponding reference information. [0019] In another form, the report further includes an industrial certification.

[0020] In another form, the processor considers one or more characteristics of the at least one temperature sensor when analysing the recorded temperatures.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for reporting the maturity of a concrete, including sensing and recording temperatures of the concrete over time using at least one temperature sensor, retrieving the recorded temperatures from the at least one temperature sensor using a data retrieving device, transmitting the recorded temperatures and corresponding reference information using a transmitter, receiving the recorded temperatures and the corresponding reference information using a first server, verifying the corresponding reference information with record data using a second server, upon a positive verification of the second server, analysing the recorded temperatures and calculating the maturity of the concrete, and providing a report online to a selected person using a processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 is a graph of the temperature and calculated strength of an example concrete as a function of time while the concrete is curing;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the system according to an illustrative embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the placement of the temperature sensor in the concrete and its connection to the other components in the system according to an illustrative embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the various components of the system according to an illustrative embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the system with respect to the overall concrete delivery process according to an illustrative embodiment;

[0028] Figure 6 is an example of a report generated by the system according to an illustrative embodiment; and

[0029] Figure 7 is an example of an alternative report generated by the system according to an illustrative embodiment. [0030] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a graph 1 of the temperature and calculated strength of an example concrete as a function of time while the concrete is curing. The temperature of the concrete is recorded as a function of time throughout the curing process and is able to be plotted on a graph. Using known methods as discussed in ASTM C I 074 (Standard Practice for Estimating Concrete Strength by the Maturity Method), a maturity value of the concrete is able to be calculated from which, the calculation of the strength of the concrete is able to be calculated based upon an empirically derived relationship between maturity and strength. This can then be plotted on the same graph, also as a function of time. Of course, the present invention is not limited to methods discussed in ASTM C I 074. The present invention works as long as there is a model which can translate recorded temperature into maturity of the concrete.

[0032] Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a schematic diagram showing a system for reporting the maturity of a concrete 10, according to an illustrati ve embodiment. The system 10 includes a temperature sensor 1 1, for sensing and recording temperatures of the concrete over time. The temperature sensor 1 1 is in communication with a data retrieving device 13, which retrieves the recorded temperatures from the temperature sensor 1 1 . In communication with the data retrieving device 13 is a transmitter 15, which transmits the recorded temperatures and corresponding reference information to a first server 17, which receives the recorded temperatures and corresponding reference information. The first server 17 will then interrogate a second server 19 which is used to verify the recorded temperatures and reference information with batch data 21 provided by the concrete supplier. The second server 19 also supplies the first server 17 with a strength-maturity model based on the composition of the supplied concrete. A processor 23 then uses the recorded temperatures to calculate the maturity value for the concrete. The processor 23 then uses the strength-maturity model to calculate the strength of the concrete, and to provide a report 25 available online to a selected person.

[0033] Referring now to Figure 3, where there is shown a schematic diagram showing the placement of the temperature sensor 31 in the concrete 33 and its connection to the other components in the system according to an illustrative embodiment. The temperature sensor shown is embedded in the concrete. However, any other way known to a person skilled in the art can be applied too. The temperature sensor 31 would be connected to the data retrieving device 35 using wiring exposed from the concrete slab 33. Alternatively, the temperature sensor can communicate with the data retrieving device 35 wirelessly, for example, using NFC technology, WIFI, Bluetooth etc. The data retrieving device 35 would then be in short range wireless communication with the transmitter 37, which would in turn be in long range wireless communication with the first server 39. In one embodiment, the data retrieving device is a separate device from the transmitter 37. In another embodiment, the data retrieving device is a periphery device to the transmitter 37. For example, the data retrieving device can a hook-on device to a hand-held device such as a PDA, mobile phone, tablet etc. The first server 39 and the second server 41 are in communication via the internet, as they may or may not maintained by the same organisation. The processor 43is in network communication with the first server 39. The processor then process the data to produce report 25.

[0034] Referring now to Figure 4, where there is shown a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the various components of the system according to an illustrative embodiment. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 51 is a probe, which is in connection with a data retrieving device 53 which in this instance is referred to as an mBox. Note that the mBox is a spate device from the probe, and is only required to be connected to the probe to retrieve data from the probe. The data retrieving device 53 has a wireless connection with a transmitter 55 which in this instance is a mobile device. The transmitter 55 has an internet connection which enables it to communicate with the first server 57 which in this instance is a web server. The first server 57 stores the information received from the temperature sensor 51. The first server 57 is in connection with a second server 59 which serves the purpose of verifying the data recorded by the temperature sensor 51. It does this by comparing key information calculated from the temperature/time data from the temperature sensor 51 against time data recorded by the company responsible for the delivery of the concrete and saved in a record database 61. The second server 59 also has a database 63 which stores strength-maturity models for different composi tions of concrete. Based upon the composition of concrete used, the correct strength-maturity model will then be used to calculate the strength of the concrete and provide a report 65 to a selected person. As can be seen, the second server 59 and databases 61 and 63 are considered internal, meaning that they are maintained by the same organisation, such as the supplier of the concrete. The temperature sensor 51 , data retrieving device 53, transmitter 55 and first server 57 are considered external, meaning that they are maintained by a different organisation, such as a customer of the concrete suppl ier. Alternatively, the first server and second server can be combined into a single server, both maintained internally or externally.

[0035] By way of example, the following is a step-by-step explanation starting from retrieval of the data from the temperature sensor through to the sending of the report to a selected person: a. Attach mBox to one or more sensors; b Switch on mBox (can be automatic upon connection with one or more sensors); c Open a software application on user device (smart phone, PDA, tablet, etc); d. Press connect (prompt given to switch on Bluetooth i f not already enabled); e. Connection between device and mBox established. In one form, an indicator (such as LED) on mBox changes colour or light up; f. User prompted to enter data of (can be pre-filled, or partially filled automatically based on position of the user device through, for example, GPS):

(a) Delivery docket number;

(b) Pour location; and

(c) Estimated start time. g. User press download; h. Data transfer. For example, data downloaded from probe to mBox through physical connection (check sum can be used to verify data transfer), then to the user device through Bluetooth (check sum can be used again to verify transfer), then using the user device wireless connection to internet (WIFI, 3G/4G etc) to secure servers. When internet connection is not available the user is notified, and that the data remains saved securely on the user device, and the data is transferred when the user device regains connection; i. Servers verify data is valid (no misreads etc); j. Data is analysed for sharp temperature changes within delivery window (indicating

coverage by concrete). This determines the maturity 'start time'; k. Maturity is calculated and an estimated strength is derived from the calibration curve;

1. Result given to nominated project contact (linked in to user access levels, for example project manager would have access to the results instantly within the app, whereas other site personnel would be able to download the data and it would be sent to the project manager by email, text, determined by phone number).

[0036] The data retrieving device 53 used in this embodiment eliminates the need for a skilled operator to repeatedly go back to site if the desired strength has not been achieved as well as allowing a customer to monitor strength growth in real time. Once the required strength is achieved results can be reviewed automatically and remotely before a full report is issued without the need for an appropriately qualified individual responsible for certifying the results. In other words, with the use of data retrieving device 53, one does not require a skilled operator or expensive onsite equipment to obtain temperature readings and determine the strength of the concrete. The system will also have a means for verifying the recorded temperature/time data taken from the concrete. The system will also generate an instant report with verified data, without the need to have operator verification

[0037] Referring now to Figure 5, where there is shown a schematic diagram of the system with respect to the overall concrete delivery process according to an illustrative embodiment. The first part of the process invol ves production of the concrete batch 71 , which is performed according to AS1379

(Australian standard for the specification and supply of concrete). The type and amount of constituents used in the specific concrete composition as well as the time of manufacture are recorded and allocated a batch specific reference number. The batch information is assigned against the batch specific reference number and communicated to and saved on a second server 83. The concrete batch 71 is then transferred to a concrete delivery truck 73 which will deliver the truck to the pour location 77. The delivery truck 73, will record the batch specific reference number, and the time when the concrete batch is received and the time the delivery truck 73 arrives the pour location 77. The delivery truck 73 then uses GPS technology to record the pour location 77 as well as the pour start time and pour finish time. All of the information recorded by the delivery truck 73 is assigned against the batch specific reference number and

communicated to the second server 83 via satellite 75.

[0038] After a period of time, the data retrieving device (not shown) will be connected to the temperature sensor (not shown) and the time/temperature record will then be collected and sent to the transmitter 79. The user of the transmitter 79, which is in this instance a mobile device, will enter information about the pour location 77, batch specific reference number and pour start time. This information, along with the time/temperature record will then be sent to the first server 81 via the internet. The first server 81 will collect and analyse the time/temperature data for sharp temperature changes within the delivery window, which will indicate when the temperature sensor was covered by concrete, indicating a concrete maturity start time. This maturity start time can be validated by comparing it with the user input pour start time. The first server 81 will then interrogate the second server 83, where it will again validate the

time/temperature data provided by the transmitter by comparing: a. the maturity start time with the pour start time recorded by the delivery truck; b. the location entered by the user with the location recorded by the delivery truck; c. the batch specific reference number entered by the user with the batch specific reference number recorded by the delivery truck.

[0039] The second server 83 will then retrieve the batch information assigned against the batch specific reference number and select the correct strength-maturity model based upon the batch information, this strength-maturity model will then be used to calculate the strength of the concrete and provide a report 85 to a selected person.

[0040] Referring now to Figure 6, where there is shown an example report 91 generated by the system according to an illustrative embodiment. The report 91 displays details of the industri al certification body 93, in this instance NATA. The report 91 displays the serial number of the temperature sensor 95used to perform the concrete temperature/time readings. The report 91 displays details of the pour location 97, including the builder, project name and location. The report 91 displays a maturity chart 99 which shows the measured temperature v time readings of the concrete, the ambient temperature, and the calculated strength of the concrete v time. The maturity chart 99 also shows the pre and post tension targets required of the concrete as well as maximum and minimum recorded concrete temperatures. The report 91 displays information about the concrete composition 101 , including the docket number (batch reference number), mix design code (used to identify the composition of the concrete), mix producer, mix contractor, encapsulation date (pour start time) and last reading date. The report 91 displays the calculated strength as of the last reading date 103. The report 91 displays the details of the individual responsible for certifying the results 105.

[0041] The report 91 may take the form of a printed medium. Alternatively, the report 91 may be provided electronically, for example, it could be provided as a web form that is only accessible using a secure login. It can also be a downloadable document.

[0042] Referring now to Figure 7, where there is shown an alternative report 1 1 1 generated by the system according to an illustrative embodiment. The report 11 1 displays information about the concrete 113 including the docket number (batch reference number), mix producer, mix contractor, encapsulation date (pour start time) and last reading date. The report 1 1 1 displays the calculated strength as of the last reading date 1 15.

[0043] The report 1 1 1 may take the form of a printed medium. Alternatively, the report 1 1 1 may be provided electronically, for example, it could be provided as a form in a mobile phone (or other mobile device) application.

[0044] The mobile phone (or other mobile device) application used by the customer to enter data, can be the same application used by the customer to receive the report 1 1 1. The application may also take advantage of the location tracking abilities of the mobile device to automatically ascertain the location of the pour location, providing a further level of data validation.

[0045] The benefit of this system is that data is collected from various internal systems rather than relying on customer or employee input. Key information (such as coverage time) is calculated from the temperature/time data from the probe (external information) which is then double checked against the internal data acquired to ensure that the delivery and on site times match. It also means that an instant report can be issued with verified data, and a certified report can be issued on request.

[0046] Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of technol ogies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0047] Those of skill in the art would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or instructions, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

[0048] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For a hardware impl ementation, processing may be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. Software modules, also known as computer programs, computer codes, or instructions, may contain a number a number of source code or object code segments or instructions, and may reside in any computer readable medium such as a RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD- ROM, a DVD-ROM, a Blu-ray disc, or any other form of computer readable medium. In some aspects the computer-readable media may comprise non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., tangible media). In addition, for other aspects computer-readable media may comprise transitory computer- readable media (e.g., a signal). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer- readable media. In another aspect, the computer readable medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the computer readable medium may reside in an ASIC or related device. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and the processor may be configured to execute them. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is known in the art.

[0049] Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other appropriate means for performing the methods and techniques described herein can be downloaded and/or otherwise obtained by computing device. For example, such a device can be coupled to a server to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can be provided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a computing device can obtain the various methods upon coupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein to a device can be utilized.

[0050] In one form the invention may comprise a computer program product for performing the method or operations presented herein. For example, such a computer program product may comprise a computer (or processor) readable medium having instructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein. For certain aspects, the computer program product may include packaging material.

[0051 ] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0052] As used herein, the term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, "determining" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and the like.

[0053] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0054] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [0055] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims. For instance, the system would be suitable for all applications where similar information is recorded and required. With slight modifications to probe types, the system could also be used to monitor the long term durability performance of placed concrete slabs.

Claims

1. A system for reporting the maturity of a concrete, including:

at least one temperature sensor for sensing and recording temperatures of the concrete over time; a data retrieving device for retrieving the recorded temperatures from the at least one temperature sensor;

a transmitter for transmitting the recorded temperatures and corresponding reference information; a first server for receiving the recorded temperatures and the corresponding reference information; a second server for verifying the corresponding reference information with record data;

a processor, wherein, upon a positive verification of the second server, analyses the recorded temperatures, calculates the maturity of the concrete, and provides a report online to a selected person.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor further selects a strength-maturity model based on one or both of the corresponding reference data and record data to calculate the strength of the concrete, and includes a strength calculation result in the report.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the record data includes information in relation to the composition of the concrete.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, further including:

a monitoring device for recording a poured time which indicative of the time the concrete is poured, the poured time is used by the second server to verify the recorded temperatures.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the monitoring device also records the composition of the concrete to verify the recorded temperatures.

6. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first server is a web server, external to the system of the second server; and wherein the second server is maintained by a supplier of the concrete.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the steps between the step of retrieving the recorded temperatures from the at least one temperature sensor and the step of providing a report to a selected person is automated, and without a need of any human involvement.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the corresponding information includes: location of the concrete.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the location of the concrete is obtained through the use of GPS.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the location of the concrete i s input by an operator.

11. The system of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the data retrieving device includes a terminal for connecting the at least one temperature sensor, and a wireless module for communicating with the transmitter; and wherein the transmitter is a mobile device with wireless internet connectivity to

communicate with the first server.

12. The system of claim 1 1 , wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone, or a tablet, with software to accept input from a user; wherein the user enters one or more of the location of the concrete, an estimated concrete pour start time or an identification number of the batch of concrete to be at least part of the corresponding reference information.

13. The system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the report further includes an industrial certification.

14. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the processor considers one or more characteristics of the at least one temperature sensor when analysing the recorded temperatures.

15. A method for reporting the maturity of a concrete, including:

sensing and recording temperatures of the concrete over time using at least one temperature sensor; retrieving the recorded temperatures from the at least one temperature sensor using a data retrieving device;

transmitting the recorded temperatures and corresponding reference information using a transmitter; receiving the recorded temperatures and the corresponding reference information using a first server; verifying the corresponding reference information with record data using a second server;

upon a positive verification of the second server, analysing the recorded temperatures and calculating the maturity of the concrete, and providing a report online to a selected person using a processor.