Peri

The PERI SONO WZ was trailed by PERI UK and Joseph Gallagher Limited in a collaborative project to validate the significant improvements that could the achieved through the application of the PERI InSite concrete sensors to the quality assurance of concrete for tunnel linings, providing an innovative alternative to traditional kiln testing. Joseph Gallagher Limited provide tunneling expertise and delivery of the reinforced concrete portals and sprayed concrete lining (SCL) tunnels to the 12.5km central section of Thames Tideway. The primary lining of these SCL tunnels is a steel-fiber reinforced shotcrete mix batched from dry silos on site. For quality assurance purposes a kiln test is specified to establish the water-cement (w/c) ratio for certainty in concrete strength and durability. The kiln test takes 8-12 hours for a single small sample, returning results after the concrete has been placed. In order to effectively ensure concrete quality, a quick, repeatable measurement is needed that aligns with delivery processes and timescales. A single measurement with PERI’s SONO WZ takes only 3 seconds, and a full measurement series of different samples less than 2 minutes. The system is robust, handheld and mobile, ensuring tests can be undertaken where-ever safest and most suitable for the site. The digital read-out is clear and easy to read and use even in the challenging conditions of tunnelling projects. The use of the sensors removes the necessity for manual handling of wet concrete samples or risk of burns from the use of the kiln. As kilns are operated continually to limit delays to testing, the use of the sensor also eliminates unnecessary energy consumption; reducing both cost and carbon emissions (totaling around £3000 and 5 tonnes CO2 eq. per year per kiln). There is also no material wastage as smaller samples can be tested a large kiln sample is not required. The sensor utilises Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) accurate to the nearest Pico second, no longer reliant on out-dated testing methods and better suited to the sophisticated and complex concrete mix design utilised in modern construction. The precise and repeatable measurements it delivers ensure that issues are highlighted immediately and non-conformance mitigated prior to concrete placement. With remedial works costing construction projects billions of pounds each year, and environmental impacts an ongoing concern, managing quality and material wastage is fundamental to project success. The trial successfully demonstrated that the PERI SONO WZ provides accurate measurements equivalent to a good kiln test. The technical report included in this submission has resulted in an approved Field Change Request. The PERI SONO WZ is one of PERI’s InSite concrete sensor solutions, supporting the high quality delivery of site placed concrete. Products such as these are critical to ensure that the construction industry can transition to a proactive, data driven and digitally enabled delivery that it has yet to consistently realise. Using these innovative tools, engineers can safely and sustainably manage the delivery of critical concrete assets in a dynamic and responsive way.

This award seeks to showcase a tunnelling concept or proposal that would see underground space used in a creative way to address a specific challenge. The challenge being addressed could be urban densification, energy production and storage, inter or intra-city transport, water supply and distribution or any other infrastructure challenge. The concept or proposal does not need to have secured financial or political support but it should be possible to offer evidence of how the opinion and support of key stakeholders has been sought. The concept or proposal could be entirely unique, a bespoke version of an existing concept or the first use of an previously used concept in a new territory.

From designing end-to-end project solutions to pioneering new technologies and ways of working, we generate the knowledge, the ingenuity and the drive to meet so many of today’s most pressing challenges – population growth, transportation, and climate change.