In-situ instrumentation and early-age monitoring of concrete structures

This paper reports the instrumentation and monitoring techniques developed to improve understanding of the early life behaviour of concrete industrial ground floor slabs. Concrete strains, temperatures and joint movements were measured using vibrating-wire embedment strain gauges and thermistors, whilst ambient conditions were monitored to assess their effects. A reliable, accurate and easy to implement methodology, developed by instrumenting 4 types of floor slab (mesh reinforced long strip, mesh reinforced jointed large area pour, steel fibre reinforced jointed large area pour, and steel fibre reinforced joint-less large area pour) is described in detail, along with the further developments and modifications to the instrumentation. The methodology developed would be equally applicable to the early-life monitoring of other concrete structural elements. Some sample results of data gathered using the instrumentation methodology developed are included.