Balfour Beatty VINCI’s successful trial of an innovative digital measuring system for concrete has prompted its implementation across various High Speed 2 (HS2) sites in the UK. This advancement enhances efficiency in the construction process and contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions.
The new concrete measurement system (VERIFI®) aims to eliminate concrete waste that would typically arise from manual sampling and testing, such as slump assessment. According to Balfour Beatty VINCI, the new technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 1,500 in HS2’s section only.
Key Takeaways from ConstructionFront.com:
- Apart from the environmental benefits, the use of VERIFI will significantly increase quality control, boost productivity, and decrease operational risks for HS2.
- Concrete technology has been rapidly evolving and the implementation of sensors in truck-mixers can significantly help on quality control of concrete transportation.
What is VERIFI?
VERIFI is an innovative technology facilitating real-time monitoring, measurement, and management of essential properties of fresh concrete during transportation.
By integrating on-truck sensors with patented algorithms, VERIFI stands as the pioneering digital solution replacing manual consistency checks (such as slump) and temperature assessments of fresh concrete.
In practical terms, this advancement enables the concrete truck mixer to self-monitor its journey to the delivery point, conduct self-testing before discharge, and automatically generate pour records for quality assurance purposes.
How VERIFI works?
VERIFI streamlines planning and coordination by leveraging GPS tracking within equipped vehicles. This real-time tracking feature significantly enhances the management of concrete delivery, refining on-site logistical processes.
Leveraging multiple precisely calibrated sensors and remote controls, VERIFI ensures adherence to technical standards by delivering precise measurements for approving or rejecting concrete loads.
This calibration precision mirrors the benchmarks established by conventional testing methods, ensuring the structural soundness and regulatory compliance of the construction materials employed.
VERIFI - Balfour Beatty VINCI and SGP Collaboration for HS2 Project
Over the last couple of years, Balfour Beatty VINCI collaborated closely with Saint Gobain Construction Chemicals, the developers of VERIFI, as well as concrete suppliers Tarmac and Aggregate Industries, for rigorous testing and validation of this system
A comprehensive on-site trial involving over 20,000 cubic meters of concrete demonstrated the precision and reliability of the VERIFI system. Subsequently, following thorough technical assessments of the trial data by Balfour Beatty VINCI, VERIFI, and HS2 technical experts, HS2 Ltd granted approval for the implementation of the VERIFI Digital Measuring system.
This approval extends to monitoring all in-situ structural concrete supplied by Tarmac and Aggregate Industries on the West Midlands section of HS2’s Phase One route.
The Benefits of VERIFI system for HS2
The system notably eliminates concrete waste by replacing manual sampling and testing with a comprehensive volume analysis of the concrete truck’s entirety. Upon implementation across Balfour Beatty VINCI’s section of the route, an estimated reduction of 1,500 tonnes of carbon is anticipated.
Apart from the economic and environmental benefits, the system also helps with:
- The shift to analyzing the complete truck volume rather than isolated samples significantly enhances quality control, providing more precise readings.
- It bolsters safety by minimizing direct interaction between personnel and machinery, thereby reducing manual handling risks on-site.
- Last but not least, the technology boosts productivity and efficiency through immediate digital outputs, eliminating delays often associated with traditional sampling and testing methods.
