Cylinder Break Test: What Are the Pros and Cons of Concrete Testing
On any job site, the strength of a concrete pour is a critical piece of information. A concrete cylinder test or concrete break test has been the pillar for compression strength testing in the construction industry for more than 180 years (Concrete Network).How do Third-Party Labs Perform a…
Giatec’s Pioneering AI Programs for Sustainable Concrete Testing and Reducing CO2 Emissions
In late 2020, Giatec announced that our artificial intelligence (AI) program RoxiTM has been trained with the funding provided by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), which will help in the reduction of cement usage during concrete testing. For those that are unfamiliar with Roxi’s functions, require deeper insights into how and why this…
Choosing the Right Concrete Thermocouple for Your Jobsite
What Is a Concrete Thermocouple? In layman’s terms, a thermocouple is an electric device that measures temperature, essentially making it a type of thermometer. That being said, it is not the kind of thermometer you would use to measure your body temperature when running a fever, or to deduce what the atmospheric weather is today, or as an in-built mechanism within your refrigerators…
The Importance of Monitoring Temperature Differentials in Mass Concrete
Closely monitoring concrete temperatures is critical for ensuring proper strength development of concrete structures and concrete sustainability regardless of their application or size. However, when it comes to mass concrete structures, we need to consider temperature differentials due to the risk of a large difference between the relatively…
Schmidt / Rebound Hammer vs. The Maturity Method: Which Is Best for Your Concrete?
Schmidt Hammer (or Rebound Hammer) MethodThe concrete rebound hammer test (often referred to as Schmidt Hammer) was invented in 1948 and is still a popular choice to test the compressive strength of concrete. To use this method, the concrete rebound hammer must first be calibrated against a steel…
Monitoring the Concrete Pavement Strength of Open Roads with the Maturity Method
Road construction can be a lengthy, disruptive process. So, ensuring that your project stays on schedule is one of your most important responsibilities as a project manager. Even before groundwork can begin, the planning stages of some roadways require months of soil analysis by engineers. Public consultation can…
The Impact of Thermal Cracking in Concrete for Strength Development
Concrete temperature monitoring becomes more critical in cold weather as low temperatures decrease the rate of strength development during curing. That is why ensuring optimal curing conditions for your element is critical, especially during extreme weather conditions. The hydration process can be drastically impacted if freshly placed concrete…
Cut Down Your Project Schedule by Testing Concrete Strength Onsite
A lack of productivity onsite is one of the most frustrating issues facing the construction industry today. Think about the hours you spend in a single day with no choice but to sit around and wait. Historically, this issue has been largely neglected in the industry. “Up to…
How to Monitor Temperature Using a Sensor or Thermocouple for Mass Concrete
In recent years, the development of large concrete structures has become increasingly common due to its many structural benefits. Concrete presents a number of characteristics that improve the sustainability performance of a structure. Not only does it offer advantages regarding sustainability due to its low carbon emission during…
Choosing the Right Concrete Temperature Loggers and Monitoring Sensors for Your Jobsite
Properly testing your concrete and logging data is essential to your construction project! There are many methods and tools on the market that allow you to easily gather the important temperature and strength information that you need. Concrete temperature loggers and concrete maturity devices have become increasingly popular over the last decade and there are many options available for your job site. Keep reading…
Concrete Setting: What it Is, Why it’s Important and How to Test It
According to ASTM C125 – 20: Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates, the concrete setting is “the process, due to chemical reactions, occurring after the addition of mixing water, that results in a gradual development of rigidity of a cementitious mixture.” In other words, the concrete undergoes…
Why Should You Monitor Concrete Curing Temperature?
Monitoring your concrete curing temperature during the early stages of construction ensures the integrity of your structure. This is especially true during extreme weather conditions when mixing and curing of concrete are subject to different environmental elements. If freshly poured concrete is exposed to temperatures that are too…
From Jobsites to the Cloud, the Paths Your Data Can Take
Wireless technology has been growing at an incredible rate, having a deeper presence in everyday life than ever before. From earbuds to refrigerators, it seems like everything is getting the wireless treatment these days to a point where you might ask, isn’t it a bit excessive? One of…
We are very excited to announce the launch of our annual research paper contest! This is a great opportunity for civil-engineers to expose their research and development to a global audience of industry experts. Plus, the winner will receive a monetary award of $1,000 US. The “Giatec Award for…
Analyzing Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Structures
Reinforced concrete structures have shaped our cities for thousands of years, from historical buildings stretching as far back as the Romans to present day, such as the 3-storey parking garage adjacent to the mega shopping mall a few miles from your home. As individuals living in the 21st…
Concrete-Eating Robots – The Future of Recycling Old Buildings
The process of demolishing a building involves heavy machinery to crush concrete and separate valuable materials that can be reused. Current methods consume quite a significant amount of time and money in order to safely disassemble the building, extract parts, and transport the materials to off-site centers for repurposing. Furthermore, these processes use a large volume of water to prevent dust clouds from…
Why Measure Concrete Resistivity?
Concrete is a porous material which contains microscopic voids known as pores. These pores range in size, vary in connectivity (pore structure) and can be added to the concrete via air-entraining admixtures. The water-to-cementitious material and type of cementitious materials used have a significant effect on the pore…
The global pandemic that hit our North American shores early in 2020 has brought profound change to how we work, live, and operate in the construction industry. Many companies weathered the storm, and those that did it the best relied on their resiliency to not only adapt to…
