Project Details
RESEARCHERS
Tommy Nantung
KEYWORDS
Concrete construction, Construction scheduling, Electrical impedance, Field test, Mechanical impedance, Mechanical properties, Monitoring, Nondestructive tests (NDT), Patching, Piezoelectricity, Sensors, Specifications, Work zone traffic control
Project description
The aim of this project is to develop a reliable in-situ sensing method to evaluate the concrete properties for determining optimal traffic opening time of patching job or new construction with fly ash or other supplementary cementitious materials. This goal will be achieved by using piezoelectric sensors coupled with electromechanical impedance (EMI) analyzers to determine the very early age properties of concrete (i.e. Stiffness, setting time, hydration, etc.). This novel method will address the deficiency of current testing methods for determining traffic opening, for instance extensive calibration of maturity test and inefficiency of flexural strength test. The impact of this study can be revolutionary as it does not require any conventional mechanical testing and expensive and heavy test setups in the field. It only requires commercially available piezoelectric sensors (~$10 per sensor) and a portable EMI analyzer for data analysis and interpretation. There is no need for calibration for each different mix design. The associated benefits of using this novel non-destructive sensing method include (1) determining optimal traffic opening time based on reliable data of concrete properties; (2) reducing pre-mature failure of concrete pavement, bridge deck, patching, and other concrete structures; (3) enabling significant cost and schedule savings in construction projects due to reduced testing samples and testing time; and (4) reducing construction worker safety issues and jobsite accident rates in construction zones.