A concrete crack monitoring device

Abstract

The application discloses a concrete crack monitoring device, which comprises a fixing box, an observation box, a fixing wire column, a scale disc component and an inelastic connecting wire, the fixing box and the observation box are respectively installed on the two sides of the crack, the fixing wire column is arranged at the center position of the fixing box, the scale disc component is arranged in the observation box, one end of the inelastic connecting wire is fixed to the fixing wire column, and the other end of the inelastic connecting wire is connected to the scale disc component. The fixing box and the observation box form an integral whole, are fixed on the two sides of the crack, the expansion of the concrete crack drives the change of the inelastic connecting wire, thereby driving the rotation of the scale disc, and different scales are displayed in the observation hole area after the rotation of the scale disc, and data reading is carried out through a pointer. The device is simple, low in cost and suitable for long-term use, has no complex electronic elements, is low in manufacturing cost, is convenient for large-scale popularization and application, and is especially suitable for low-cost monitoring scenes such as common civil buildings and rural infrastructure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of monitoring technology for the development of concrete cracks, and in particular to a concrete crack monitoring device. Background Technology

[0002] Concrete cracking is a common quality defect in the construction of concrete structures. The cause of cracks in some critical areas cannot be determined through surface observation alone. To determine whether cracks affect the structure, it is necessary to monitor their development to determine if they are expanding. However, the data on changes in concrete cracks are often small and cannot be observed with traditional measuring tools, while professional concrete measuring equipment is expensive and difficult to apply extensively on construction sites.

[0003] Conventional measuring tools are insufficient for observing minute cracks in concrete, while specialized measuring tools are expensive. Monitoring the development process of concrete cracks also takes a considerable amount of time.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a concrete crack monitoring device to address the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a concrete crack monitoring device to solve the above problems.

[0006] A concrete crack monitoring device includes a fixed box, an observation box, a fixed post, a dial component, and a non-elastic connecting line. The fixed box and the observation box are respectively installed on both sides of the crack. A fixed post is set at the center of the fixed box. The dial component is set inside the observation box. One end of the non-elastic connecting line is fixed to the fixed post, and the other end of the non-elastic connecting line is connected to the dial component.

[0007] Preferably, the observation box has an observation hole at its upper part, and a pointer is provided at the upper part of the observation hole.

[0008] Preferably, the dial component includes a dial fixing post, a rotating post, and a dial, wherein the rotating post is fitted outside the dial fixing post, and the dial is fitted outside the rotating post.

[0009] Preferably, the circumference of the dial is provided with scale values.

[0010] Preferably, the other end of the inelastic connecting wire is wound around a rotating post.

[0011] Preferably, an adjustment knob is provided at the front end of the rotating column.

[0012] Preferably, the four corners of the fixing box are provided with first fixing pieces, and the first fixing pieces are provided with first mounting holes.

[0013] Preferably, the four corners of the observation box are provided with second fixing plates, and the second fixing plates are provided with second mounting holes.

[0014] Preferably, both the fixing box and the observation box are equipped with a liquid level gauge.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. In this invention, the fixing box and the observation box form a whole, fixed to both sides of the crack. The expansion of the concrete crack causes the inelastic connecting line to change, thereby causing the scale to rotate. After the scale rotates, different scales will be displayed in the observation hole area, and data can be read by the pointer. The device is simple, low in cost, and suitable for long-term use.

[0016] 2. The device of the present invention consists of basic components such as a fixed box, an observation box, and a scale plate. It has no complex electronic components, has low manufacturing cost, and is easy to promote and apply on a large scale. It is especially suitable for low-cost monitoring scenarios such as ordinary civil buildings and rural infrastructure.

[0017] 3. The device can be quickly fixed to the concrete surface through the fixing plate and mounting holes, and no professional equipment is required during the installation process; the liquid level indicator is easy to calibrate the installation posture, and the adjustment knob can easily complete the tensioning of the connecting line and zero point calibration. Later maintenance only requires periodic inspection of the status of the connecting line and the clarity of the scale, resulting in low maintenance costs.

[0018] 4. The crack displacement is transmitted through a non-elastic connecting line, which drives the dial to rotate. The crack width change value can be read directly with the pointer, without the need for professional operation skills. The non-elastic connecting line and horizontal calibration design effectively avoid the interference of deformation, tilt and other factors on the data. The monitoring accuracy meets the needs of conventional concrete crack monitoring.

[0019] 5. Made of corrosion-resistant and high-strength materials, it can adapt to complex environments such as outdoor, humid, and temperature-varying environments, enabling long-term unattended monitoring, continuously capturing the crack propagation process, and providing timely warnings of structural safety risks. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a diagram of the internal structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a diagram of the fixing box of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a diagram of the internal structure of the observation box of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the dial component of the invention.

[0021] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Fixing box; 2. Observation box; 3. Fixing column; 4. Scale component; 5. Inelastic connecting wire; 6. Observation hole; 7. Pointer; 8. Scale fixing column; 9. Rotating column; 10. Scale; 11. Scale value; 12. Adjustment knob; 13. First fixing piece; 14. First mounting hole; 15. Second fixing piece; 16. Second mounting hole; 17. Liquid level indicator. Detailed Implementation

[0022] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention can be implemented in many different ways as defined and covered by the claims.

[0026] like Figure 1 and combined Figures 2 to 5As shown, a concrete crack monitoring device includes a fixed box 1, an observation box 2, a fixed post 3, a dial component 4, and a non-elastic connecting line 5. The fixed box 1 and the observation box 2 are respectively installed on both sides of the crack. The fixed post 3 is set at the center of the fixed box 1. The dial component 4 is set inside the observation box 2. One end of the non-elastic connecting line 5 is fixed to the fixed post 3, and the other end of the non-elastic connecting line 5 is connected to the dial component 4.

[0027] Furthermore, the observation box 2 is provided with an observation hole 6 on its upper part, and a pointer 7 is provided on the upper part of the observation hole 6. The tip of the pointer 7 points to the scale area of ​​the scale component 4, which is used to accurately indicate the scale value and facilitate the operator to quickly read the data.

[0028] Furthermore, the dial component 4 includes a dial fixing post 8, a rotating post 9, and a dial 10. The rotating post 9 is fitted outside the dial fixing post 8, and the dial 10 is fitted outside the rotating post 9. It can rotate flexibly around the dial fixing post 8. The dial 10 is coaxially fitted outside the rotating post 9 and fixedly connected to it. When the rotating post 9 rotates, it can drive the dial 10 to rotate synchronously.

[0029] Furthermore, the circumference of the dial 10 is provided with a scale value 11. The scale value 11 is centered on the center of the dial 10 and marks the rotation angle corresponding to the crack width or directly marks the width value; the scale accuracy can be set to 0.01mm~0.1mm as required to meet the monitoring accuracy requirements of different scenarios.

[0030] Furthermore, the other end of the non-elastic connecting wire 5 is wound around the rotating post 9. The number of turns can be adjusted according to the estimated maximum expansion of the crack to ensure that the connecting wire can synchronously pull the rotating post 9 to rotate when the crack expands, thereby driving the scale 10 to rotate and realizing the conversion of displacement change into scale change.

[0031] Furthermore, an adjustment knob 12 is provided at the front end of the rotating column 9. Rotating the adjustment knob 12 can drive the rotating column 9 to rotate, which is used to tension the non-elastic connecting line 5 during the initial installation of the device, or to calibrate the zero point of the scale during the monitoring process to ensure monitoring accuracy.

[0032] Furthermore, the four corners of the fixing box 1 are provided with first fixing plates 13, and the first fixing plates 13 are provided with first mounting holes 14. Expansion bolts or fastening screws can be inserted into the first mounting holes 14 to firmly fix the fixing box 1 to the concrete surface on one side of the crack, so as to prevent the fixing box 1 from loosening and shifting.

[0033] Furthermore, the four corners of the observation box 2 are provided with second fixing plates 15, and the second fixing plates 15 are provided with second mounting holes 16. The structure of the second mounting holes 16 is the same as that of the first mounting holes 14, and is used to firmly fix the observation box 2 to the concrete surface on the other side of the crack, ensuring that the fixing box 1 and the observation box 2 are displaced synchronously with the structures on both sides of the crack.

[0034] Furthermore, both the fixed box 1 and the observation box 2 are equipped with a liquid level gauge 17. The liquid level gauge 17 is used to calibrate the horizontal state of the fixed box 1 and the observation box 2 during installation, to prevent the connecting lines from shifting due to tilting of the device, and to ensure the accuracy of the monitoring data.

[0035] The non-elastic connecting line 5 is made of high-strength, non-elastic materials such as stainless steel wire and carbon fiber wire to avoid affecting the monitoring accuracy due to material creep during long-term use; the fixed box 1 and the observation box 2 are made of corrosion-resistant and lightweight materials such as ABS engineering plastic and aluminum alloy, which are suitable for complex environments such as outdoors and humidity, and extend the service life of the device.

[0036] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. The fixing box 1 and the observation box 2 of this invention form an integral unit and are fixed to both sides of the crack. The expansion of the concrete crack causes the inelastic connecting line 5 to change, thereby causing the scale 10 to rotate. After the scale 10 rotates, different scales will be displayed in the area of ​​the observation hole 6, and the data can be read by the pointer 7; the device is simple, low in cost, and suitable for long-term use.

[0037] 2. The device of the present invention consists of basic components such as a fixed box 1, an observation box 2, and a scale component 4. It has no complex electronic components, has low manufacturing cost, and is easy to promote and apply on a large scale. It is especially suitable for low-cost monitoring scenarios such as ordinary civil buildings and rural infrastructure.

[0038] 3. The device can be quickly fixed on the concrete surface through the first fixing plate 13, the second fixing plate 15, the first mounting hole 14, and the second mounting hole 16. No professional equipment is required for the installation process. The liquid level 17 is easy to calibrate the installation posture. The adjustment knob 12 can easily complete the tensioning and zero-point calibration of the non-elastic connecting line 5. The later maintenance only requires periodic inspection of the status of the non-elastic connecting line 5 and the clarity of the scale, resulting in low maintenance costs.

[0039] 4. The crack displacement is transmitted through the non-elastic connecting line 5, which drives the dial 10 to rotate. The crack width change value can be read directly with the pointer 7, without the need for professional operation skills. The horizontal calibration design of the non-elastic connecting line 5 and the liquid level 17 effectively avoids the interference of deformation, tilt and other factors on the data. The monitoring accuracy meets the needs of conventional concrete crack monitoring.

[0040] 5. Made of corrosion-resistant and high-strength materials, it can adapt to complex environments such as outdoor, humid, and temperature-varying environments, enabling long-term unattended monitoring, continuously capturing the crack propagation process, and providing timely warnings of structural safety risks.

[0041] Working principle: The fixing box 1 and the observation box 2 are fixed to both sides of the concrete crack by the first fixing plate 13 and the second fixing plate 15. The first fixing plate 13 and the second fixing plate 15 have holes in the middle for screws to pass through (corresponding to the first mounting hole 14 and the second mounting hole 16). The screws can then be used to fix the device to the concrete. After the device is fixed to the concrete, the tension of the inelastic connecting wire 5 is adjusted by the adjusting knob 12. After the inelastic connecting wire 5 is adjusted to a tight state, the data indicated by the pointer 7 is read through the observation hole 6 as the initial data. The expansion of the concrete crack will cause the fixing box 1 and the observation box 2 to move to both sides, thereby stretching the inelastic connecting wire 5. The change in the inelastic connecting wire 5 will cause the rotating column 9 to rotate, which in turn will cause the scale 10 to rotate, thus changing the scale indicated by the pointer 7. The data on the change in the concrete crack is calculated by the proportional relationship between the diameter of the scale 10 and the rotating column 9.

[0042] Installation and usage instructions: Clean the surfaces on both sides of the concrete crack to ensure they are flat, dry, and free of dust. Determine the installation positions of the fixing box 1 and the observation box 2 according to the crack length, ensuring that they are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the crack, and that the line connecting the center of the fixing post 3 and the dial component 4 is perpendicular to the crack.

[0043] Using expansion bolts, fix the fixing box 1 to the concrete surface on one side of the crack through the first mounting hole 14 of the first fixing plate 13. During the installation process, observe the liquid level 17 and adjust the fixing box 1 to a horizontal state. Use the same method to fix the observation box 2 to the concrete surface on the other side of the crack, ensuring that the observation box 2 is horizontal and the observation hole 6 faces the direction that is easy to read.

[0044] Fix one end of the inelastic connecting wire 5 to the fixed post 3 of the fixed box 1, and wrap the other end around the rotating post 9 inside the observation box 2. After wrapping it 2 to 3 times, rotate the adjusting knob 12 to tighten the inelastic connecting wire 5 and ensure that the inelastic connecting wire 5 is not loose. At this time, observe the position of the pointer 7 on the scale 10, calibrate the position to zero, and complete the installation.

[0045] When a concrete crack expands, the concrete on both sides of the crack will cause the fixed box 1 and the observation box 2 to move away from each other, which in turn pulls the inelastic connecting line 5. The inelastic connecting line 5 drives the rotating column 9 and the scale 10 to rotate synchronously. The operator can read the width of the crack expansion by observing the scale value 11 indicated by the pointer 7 through the observation hole 6. By recording the readings regularly and comparing and analyzing them, the expansion rate and total expansion amount of the crack can be obtained, enabling long-term monitoring.

[0046] Example 1: Example of monitoring cracks in floor slabs of civil buildings This embodiment is applied to the monitoring of concrete cracks in ordinary residential building slabs. The device is designed to be adapted for scenarios where most slab cracks are small cracks (initial width 0.02mm~0.1mm), the monitoring environment is dry, and the operators are property maintenance personnel.

[0047] In terms of materials, the fixing box 1 and observation box 2 are made of ABS engineering plastic, with an overall size of 80mm×80mm×30mm. This lightweight design facilitates handheld installation, reduces manufacturing costs, and is suitable for mass production. The non-elastic connecting wire 5 is made of 0.8mm diameter stainless steel wire, combining high strength and flexibility. It is wound three times around the rotating column 9, meeting the requirement of estimating a maximum expansion of 0.5mm for floor cracks. The scale 11 on the dial 10 directly marks the width value, with a scale accuracy set to 0.01mm. The pointer 7 is made of red acrylic material with a blunted tip, ensuring clear readings while preventing hand injuries during installation.

[0048] During installation, after cleaning the surface dust on both sides of the floor slab crack, use 4mm diameter self-tapping screws to fix the fixing box 1 and observation box 2 to both sides of the crack through the mounting holes of the first fixing plate 13 and the second fixing plate 15, maintaining a spacing of 100mm. After calibrating the level with the liquid level gauge 17, tighten the screws to ensure the device is not tilted. Adjust the knob 12 to tension the stainless steel wire, so that the pointer 7 is aligned with the zero point of the dial 10, completing the installation.

[0049] During use, property maintenance personnel read the pointer 7 reading through observation hole 6 each month and compare it with the initial data to determine the crack expansion. If the reading remains unchanged for three consecutive months, it indicates that the crack is stabilizing; if the reading continues to increase and the monthly expansion exceeds 0.03mm, the construction unit should be notified promptly for reinforcement. This embodiment of the device is low-cost, easy to operate, and fully adaptable to the daily maintenance scenarios of civil buildings.

[0050] Example 2: Outdoor Bridge Pier Crack Monitoring Example This embodiment is applied to the monitoring of concrete cracks in outdoor highway bridge piers. It focuses on strengthening the corrosion resistance, stability and anti-interference ability of the device, especially in scenarios where piers are exposed to wind and rain, large temperature differences, high humidity, and cracks are easily affected by vibration.

[0051] The device's materials have been optimized as follows: the fixing box 1 and observation box 2 are made of 6061 aluminum alloy, anodized for excellent corrosion resistance and UV resistance, with dimensions of 100mm×100mm×40mm, resulting in higher structural strength and resistance to vehicle vibration. The non-elastic connecting wire 5 is made of 1.2mm diameter carbon fiber, which has superior tensile strength compared to stainless steel wire and is less prone to rusting. It is wound four times around the rotating column 9 to accommodate the requirement of a maximum estimated crack expansion of 1.0mm in the pier column. The dial 10 is encapsulated in tempered glass, and the scale values ​​11 are laser-etched to prevent rainwater erosion and UV exposure from blurring the scale. The scale accuracy is set at 0.02mm, balancing monitoring accuracy and anti-interference capabilities.

[0052] During installation, rubber pads are added to the contact surfaces of the first fixing plate 13 and the second fixing plate 15 with the pier column to enhance fit and stability, taking into account the curved structure of the pier column. 8mm diameter expansion bolts are used for fixing to ensure the device does not loosen under vibration. After calibrating the level using a liquid level gauge 17, waterproof sealant is applied to the contact surfaces of the fixing box 1 and the observation box 2 with the concrete to prevent rainwater from seeping in and affecting the rotation of the rotating column 9. The adjusting knob 12 is made of non-slip rubber for easy operation in rainy weather or at heights. After tensioning the carbon fiber line, the zero point is recalibrated to ensure accurate initial data.

[0053] During operation, monitoring personnel record readings every two weeks. The pointer 7 inside observation hole 6 can be read from the ground using a telescope, eliminating the need for high-altitude climbing and improving safety. The device can withstand temperature differences of -20℃ to 60℃ and outdoor humid environments, enabling long-term unattended monitoring and continuously capturing the dynamics of pier crack propagation, providing reliable data support for bridge structural safety assessment.

[0054] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A concrete crack monitoring device, characterized in that: The device includes a fixed box (1), an observation box (2), a fixed post (3), a dial component (4), and a non-elastic connecting line (5). The fixed box (1) and the observation box (2) are respectively installed on both sides of the crack. The fixed post (3) is set at the center of the fixed box (1). The dial component (4) is set inside the observation box (2). One end of the non-elastic connecting line (5) is fixed to the fixed post (3), and the other end of the non-elastic connecting line (5) is connected to the dial component (4).

2. The concrete crack monitoring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The observation box (2) is provided with an observation hole (6) on the upper part, and a pointer (7) is provided on the upper part of the observation hole (6).

3. The concrete crack monitoring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The dial component (4) includes a dial fixing post (8), a rotating post (9) and a dial (10). The rotating post (9) is fitted outside the dial fixing post (8), and the dial (10) is fitted outside the rotating post (9).

4. The concrete crack monitoring device as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The circumference of the dial (10) is provided with scale values ​​(11).

5. The concrete crack monitoring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The other end of the non-elastic connecting wire (5) is wound around the rotating post (9).

6. The concrete crack monitoring device as described in claim 3, characterized in that: An adjustment knob (12) is provided at the front end of the rotating column (9).

7. A concrete crack monitoring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The four corners of the fixing box (1) are provided with first fixing pieces (13), and the first fixing pieces (13) are provided with first mounting holes (14).

8. The concrete crack monitoring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The observation box (2) is provided with a second fixing plate (15) at each of its four corners, and the second fixing plate (15) is provided with a second mounting hole (16).

9. A concrete crack monitoring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Both the fixed box (1) and the observation box (2) are equipped with liquid level instruments (17).

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