The Project
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and Motorway Project, a crucial segment of the Kınalı-Tekirdağ-Çanakkale-Savaştepe, encompasses 89 km of motorway infrastructure. This includes the iconic 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and 12 km of access roads spanning between Malkara and Çanakkale, in Turkey. Akçansa, the leading cement and building materials company with high-quality standards, took the challenge of this impressive bridge project. Other than the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, this motorway project involved the construction of various elements such as viaducts, junctions, overpasses, underpasses, culverts, service areas, operation and maintenance centers, and toll plazas.
The Challenge of Determining the Optimal Time for Formwork Removal
Before integrating any advanced monitoring system into their construction process, Akçansa relied on conventional concrete testing methods. One significant challenge they faced was the inability to accurately determine the optimal time for formwork removal. This is also known as the opening of concrete molds, which leads to delays and uncertainty in the project timeline. While actively searching for solutions to their formwork dilemma, the contracting team discovered SmartRock® and decided to incorporate them into their construction process.
The primary objectives of implementing SmartRock were to expedite the project timeline, thereby reducing costs and enhancing overall efficiency. With instant control over temperature and strength, the team aimed to obtain accurate and real-time data on their structural elements.
With SmartRock’s reliable real-time data insights, we’ve not only saved time and costs but also elevated our project outcome, delivering unparalleled value to our customers.”
Bekir Uruk, Mega Projects Executive, Akçansa.
SmartRock Saves 40% Formwork Lifting Time and 1000+ Working Hours!
Since the introduction of SmartRock, the project experienced significant improvements in the following key metrics. With a total of 66 concrete castings that used the sensors, the team consistently achieved high strength values in a significantly shorter timeframe compared to conventional methods. On average, the sensors indicated reaching the target strength in approximately 30 hours, compared to the anticipated 48 hours with conventional testing methods. This was great for the team as they could push each interval lift metric (ILM) 16 hours early. This was equivalent to nearly 40% of savings per hour. Overall, the estimated total savings amounted to 1056 working hours across the project duration.
The rollout of SmartRock was immediate given that the local representative delivered the sensors within a month of initial contact. The team seamlessly integrated the sensors, immediately realizing the benefits of enhanced efficiency and improved project timeline management.
The successful implementation of SmartRock in the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and Motorway Project in Turkey exemplifies the transformative impact of innovative technologies in construction projects. By leveraging real-time data insights provided by these sensors, the project team achieved significant time and cost savings, ultimately enhancing project outcomes and delivering exceptional value to their customers.
