The system was developed in collaboration with tech specialist Converge.
Within hours of concrete being poured it can predict the time a critical strength will be reached with an accuracy of +/- 5%, several days in advance.
The prediction engine combines local weather data, a database of historical concrete curing data, and the Converge concrete monitoring platform’s real-time measurements from the pour.
The system has boosted productivity and can help keeps projects on track – ultimately saving millions of pounds if concrete sits in the critical construction path.
Head of innovation at BAM Nuttall, Colin Evison, said: “This advancement in construction technology is a game changer.
“The Converge prediction engine gives us insight into material performance we didn’t think possible.”
Converge product lead, Sam Ellenby, added: “Our users were waiting for concrete to hit a critical strength before scheduling the next activity, but this often meant that the site teams needed to strike formwork or tension the slab were deployed in other areas when the time came to act. Thus, critical actions were frequently delayed.”
Converge and BAM Nuttall are now looking to roll out the system to other sites.