Experimental Validation of Slip-Forming Using Ultrasonic Sensors

Slip-forming in concrete construction enables the continuous placement of concrete using a climbing form, the efficiency of which depends on appropriate slip-up timing. This implies the importance of knowing accurately the development of concrete strength over time, which has been assessed manually to date in construction fields. This paper presents a method for automating the slip-forming process by determining the optimal slip-up time using the in-situ strength of concrete. The strength of concrete is evaluated by a formula relating the strength to the surface wave velocity measured with ultrasonic sensors. Specifically, this study validates the applicability of the slip-form system with ultrasonic sensors for continuously monitoring the hardening of concrete through its application in several construction sites. To this end, a slip-form system with a pair of ultrasonic modules at the bottom of the panel was tested and the time variation of surface wave velocity in the concrete material was monitored during the slip-forming process. The results show that the proposed method can provide the optimal slip-up time of the form to automate the slip-forming process. This approach is expected to apply to other construction technologies that required the continuous monitoring of concrete strength for construction efficiency as well as quality maintenance.