THE CHALLENGE
The Fort Road Widening project primarily involved expanding a bridge by adding another span to an existing structure. The scale of the concrete work taking place required that the project team develop multiple mass concrete pour plans. The goal was to ensure the concrete temperature didn't exceed 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) at any time and to maintain a temperature differential of no more than 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) between the core and the surface during curing. Typically, this involved manually monitoring temperature using embedded thermocouples in the concrete over a seven-day period.
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THE SOLUTION
Adiabatic Testing Phase: Concrete sensors were pivotal during adiabatic testing, monitoring the concrete's temperature in real-time. This not only ensured constant temperature vigilance during curing, but also facilitated data sharing with external engineers for a comprehensive mass pour plan. Traditionally, using thermocouples would provide a range of numbers, but the sensors offered precise temperature readings and a temperature trend analysis. As a result, the use of concrete sensors eliminated the need for personnel to monitor the concrete every three hours over a seven-day cure period.
Construction Phase: In construction, concrete and air temperature sensors were strategically placed in critical elements like abutment footings, abutment stems, wing walls, and hoardings. This enabled precise temperature monitoring and optimization of ambient air temperature via strategically placed heaters and air movers.
THE RESULT
1. Enhanced Operational Efficiency:
The temperature sensors and real-time monitoring optimized the heating plan and confirmed the elimination of cooling lines in the concrete pour, improving efficiency and enabling the team to proactively manage temperature changes and alerts.
2. Optimized Staffing:
Real-time data and alerts from sensor-based monitoring reduce the need for an around-the-clock workforce, making crew management more efficient and optimizing labour costs.
3. Increased Durability:
Precise temperature monitoring during curing contributed to the long-term durability of the bridge. This reduced the likelihood of future maintenance or repair costs, adding to the project's overall value.
4. Improved Temperature Monitoring:
Advanced sensors provide precise, real-time temperature data during concrete curing, aiding decision-making, trend analysis, and early issue detection for improved project results.