Wood vs. Concrete: The Best Choice for Builders and GCs
Wood and concrete have been used in construction for thousands of years and for good reason. Both materials have properties that make them appealing building materials. In this blog, we will tackle the age-old debate of wood vs. concrete. However, before we dive headfirst into this heated debate,…
Detect the Rate of Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Structures in Seconds
Corrosion is a natural process that begins when the steel rebar within reinforced concrete starts to rust. According to ACI, “corrosion occurs when the protective layer in concrete steel reinforcement is destroyed. Steel in concrete is usually protected against corrosion by the high pH of the surrounding portland-cement…
What is the Concrete Maturity Curve and Why Does it Matter?
Concrete has numerous properties that can be studied and recorded, but its compressive strength has generally been the center of attention. Indeed, in most projects, structures will use mix designs with the main focus being to reach a certain compressive strength as well as flowability and air content…
The Concrete Cube Test Explained
Concrete testing methods differ from place to place and each country has their own specifications that must be followed. While engineers and project managers in America adhere to the American Standard Testing Method (ASTM) C39 / C39M , Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens,…
10 Important Things to be Considered in Concrete Maturity Calibration
Make the Most of the Concrete Maturity Method with These Calibration Tips One of our favorite subjects to write about is concrete maturity. One of—if not the—most important part of using concrete maturity onsite, is the calibration process. Biggest SmartRock® Savings of the Year are Here! Save now…
Take Thermal Control of Your Concrete with SmartRock
Mass concrete pours are becoming more and more present in the construction industry. As our ambition grows, the size of our concrete structures grow with it. Massive pours have their specific set of challenges that must be anticipated and prepared for, including the thermal cracking of structures. In…
Comparative Analysis and Strength Estimation of Fresh Concrete
Giatec would like to recognize Najeebullah Tareen, Junkyeong Kim, Won-Kyu Kim, and Seunghee Park of Sungkyunkwan University for their incredible research regarding the strength estimation of fresh concrete based on ultrasonic wave propagation and maturity. In their academic research, they used SmartRock® sensors to access data regarding the…
In 1971, the One Shell Plaza pierced the Texas skyline, breaking the city record for the tallest building. This 52-storey building broke another record as the world’s tallest building made of lightweight concrete. Biggest SmartRock® Savings of the Year are Here! Save now and get free Giatec 360™…
Potholes—An Expensive and Recurring Problem for Cities
Potholes are a huge problem all over North America, but nowhere are the detrimental effects more evident than in Canada’s capital, Ottawa. According to CTV News, the city experienced over 40 freeze-thaw cycles during the 2018-2019 winter, which created tens of thousands of potholes that need to be…
Testing Concrete Quality and Durability in Seconds with Surf™
As the demand for new concrete structures continues to increase, contractors need better and more efficient ways to test concrete quality and durability. For this purpose, several techniques have been developed and studied. One of those is Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (RCPT), which measures the concrete’s ability to…
Q&A: Norman Lauzon Explains how Concrete Maturity Sensors are Changing the Jobsite
Norman Lauzon is the Senior Project Manager at Ledcor, a successful and diversified construction company that partners with projects across North America. Norman has more than seventeen years of experience in the construction industry and has managed the development of hospitals, airports, light rail transit, and a variety…
Concrete temperature plays a critical role in the success of any construction project. As one of the most commonly used materials in the world, concrete must be handled with precision, particularly when it comes to temperature control. If not properly managed, temperature fluctuations during the curing process can…
The Importance of Concrete Temperature Gradients
Minimizing the risk of cracking is critical for maintaining structural integrity and increasing the service life of a concrete structure. This is an important consideration in all construction projects. Furthermore, it is especially critical in those that require the use of mass concrete, such as bridges, buildings, structural…
Field-Cured vs. Standard-Cured Cylinders: How They Affect Concrete Performance
How do Curing Methods Affect Concrete Field Performance? ASTM C31 is the standard that defines two different concrete curing conditions, standard curing and field curing. This standard dictates the procedures for making and curing test cylinders. At the same time, it can become a problem when an engineer…
Damaged and deteriorating bridges are a major concern when it comes to transportation infrastructures. According to the ARTBA Bridge Report, “1 in 3 U.S. bridges need repair or replacement”, with over 46,100 that are considered to be structurally deficient. Each year, millions of dollars are spent on keeping…
5 AI Solutions Disrupting the Construction Industry in 2020
Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used to solve problems in industries like finance and healthcare, however, the construction industry has generally had a slower rate for adopting such new technologies. This prompted Giatec to launch Roxi™, the world’s first AI program for concrete testing. While Roxi can revolutionize the concrete…
Common Challenges When Measuring Concrete Temperature Differential on the Construction Site
Controlling the temperature of concrete on construction sites poses many challenges. It is critical to keep track of your concrete temperature differential to ensure the optimal quality of concrete. It is also important because improper temperature measurement can lead to failed structures, increased project prices, and longer completion…
Relationship Between Concrete Curing, Concrete Temperature, and Concrete Strength
Although concrete curing, concrete temperature, and concrete strength are three different things with three different meanings, they are not independent of one another. There is a close-knit relationship between these aspects of concrete curing and each facet plays a significant role in the overall strength and integrity of…
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