Monitoring Concrete Temperature On-Site According to ASTM
Controlling the temperature of concrete on construction sites poses many challenges. Not only is it critical to keep track of your concrete’s temperature differential in order to ensure the optimal quality of concrete, but improper temperature measurement can lead to failed structures and a series of repercussions like increased project price and longer completion timelines. On-site temperature measurement can be tricky and although there are multiple options for temperature measurement, not all are created equal. This article will give an overview of what the ASTM for concrete temperature covers and what the challenges are for on-site temperature measurement of concrete.
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Why Measure Concrete Temperature Differential On Site
Failing to properly measure concrete temperature can gravely compromise the strength development and the hydration process of your concrete element. If concrete is exposed to temperatures too high or too low or the temperature differential is too high, your mix will not gain strength as intended and you run the risk of developing thermal cracking. Measuring concrete temperature on site gives you a more accurate representation of strength gain than off-site strength testing. Monitoring concrete temperature throughout the curing process will allow you to ensure proper strength gain and to be confident in the quality of your element and its durability.
How to Measure Concrete Temperature On Site
The American Standard Testing Method (ASTM) for concrete temperature outlines different methods of measuring concrete temperature on site. Two of the most popular methods for testing concrete temperature on site are wireless and wired concrete sensors or thermocouples. While both sensors can provide you with accurate concrete temperature data throughout the curing process, both present their own sets of pros and cons.
Challenges of On-Site Concrete Temperature Measurement with Thermocouples
Although thermocouples are widely used on construction sites around the world, they present many challenges and opportunities for errors that could drastically jeopardize the integrity of your concrete structure. The first challenge with hard-wired sensors is the wire itself. In order to ensure accurate data everyone on the jobsite must be aware and mindful not to damage or lose wires protruding from the concrete. Secondly, traditionally wired sensors do not store or gather data automatically. Project managers must carry expensive equipment that is at risk of failure or damage and connect individually to each sensor to gather data at specified time intervals. The data gathered from these devices must be handled with care and it is only stored in the device itself and does not have a backup. These reasons among others, are why newer generations of project managers are opting for wireless concrete sensors over wired sensors.
The Most Reliable Tool for ASTM Concrete Temperature Measurement
With advanced tools like SmartRock, , monitoring concrete temperature on site quickly and accurately has never been more simple. SmartRock is the most reliable tool when it comes to ensuring you know the exact temperature of your concrete at any given time. The fully embedded sensor eliminates the aforementioned challenges as there are no protruding elements from the concrete that are at risk of being damaged. With proper installation and activation, SmartRock measures concrete temperature every 15 minutes and stores the data on its built-in memory until it is easily retrieved by any bluetooth enabled Android or iOS device.
