Crack-free concrete

During HANNOVER MESSE 2009, a new radio sensor that can prevent cracks forming in fresh concrete is taking center stage at the stand run by Leipzig University of Technology, Commerce and Culture.

The motivation behind this new development is the all-too-commonplace problem of cracking, which can occur in large concrete parts during the first few hours after production. The cracks are caused by a capillary vacuum in the liquid phase, which develops during the drying process. The newly developed radio sensor measures this vacuum continuously. When linked to a misting device, the concrete can be dampened when critical pressure values are reached, thus counteracting the vacuum. Thanks to real-time measurement with the new sensor, only the precise volume of water needed to prevent cracking is applied to the concrete surface.

Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig (FH)
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 132
04277 Leipzig
Germany
Tel.: +49 341 - 30766-261
Fax: +49 341 - 30766-411
www.htwk-leipzig.de
Contact at HANNOVER MESSE 2009:
Prof. Volker Slowik
Hall 2, Stand C37, partner in: Forschung für die Zukunft