Tarmac has launched a new system of digital sensors to optimise concrete mixes, lower carbon emissions and reduce on-site construction time, using 'AI-enhanced' analysis.
Partnering with Converge, a UK-based specialist in construction technology, the Tarmac sensors gather real-time data that, when combined with the AI modelling, can predict concrete strength.
This helps prevent the over-engineering of concrete, meaning lower carbon solutions can be used and can speed up the construction schemes.
It follows an extensive exploration process of Converge's technology by CRH Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tarmac's parent company CRH, which led to a 12-month pilot to assess the solution and its commercial possibilities.
The AI analysis uses the factors involved in the strength development of concrete in large structures – including heat generation from the higher volume of material required and the impact of weather conditions on site.
Using these factors for its basis, with a huge amount of historical data, the new technology’s predictive analysis enables lower carbon concrete mixes to be accurately specified to account for these variables, reducing the reliance on the traditional method of concrete cube testing.
Oliver Greet, technical manager at Converge, said: 'Using our wireless sensor technology, Converge has collected millions of datapoints relating to concrete behaviour and performance in the field.
'Coupled with information about the formulation of those mixes, the elements under construction, specific weather conditions, and various other data, Converge is training AI models to predict these behaviour of concrete pours ahead of time. This information can, in turn, be used to gain a deeper understanding of how different mixes will behave for a given application ahead of time.
'Armed with this, contractors can make more informed decisions when selecting mixes - for example, maximising their use of cement replacements with confidence that key construction targets are achievable. It also has the potential to enable more dynamic mix design choices throughout a project, such as switching between Summer and Winter mix variants at the optimal time to maintain programme while minimising embodied carbon. This technology is under development and we are actively expanding the capabilities to work across a wider range of mixes and use cases.'
The technology is being made available to all of Tarmac’s concrete customers as a ‘one-stop shop’ as part of the company’s new CEVO brand, which is helping procurement teams make informed decisions and specify lower carbon concrete mixes and solutions.
The sensors are easy to use at approximately 3-4cm long and clip onto the steel reinforcements around which ready-mixed concrete is poured.
Andrew Campling, head of readymix concrete performance at Tarmac, said: 'Offering market-wide access to innovative digital technology is vital as we work towards decarbonising the construction industry. This new partnership with Converge means we can offer even more innovations to customers as part of our lower carbon CEVO concrete brand.
'Alongside other solutions including our new online carbon calculator and the easy-to-use CEVO rating system, we’re providing our customers with the tools to help them reduce carbon on construction projects.'
Raphael Scheps, CEO at Converge, said: 'The pairing of CEVO with Converge's sensors and AI technology is a perfect match for concrete decarbonisation. By packaging our technology with Tarmac’s low embodied carbon mixes, contractors can build sustainably with the confidence that they're getting all the performance they need. We’re proud to be partnering with Tarmac to offer leading AI solutions to the construction industry.'
Tarmac’s net zero strategy is aligned with the commitment of parent company CRH to reduce absolute CO2 emissions across the business by 30% by 2030 (from a 2021 baseline) and achieve net zero by 2050.
