Concrete Water Absorption Testing Under Parallel Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to accurately measure water absorption of concrete in a direction parallel to the load applying direction, which is crucial for assessing durability, as they often require unloading or vertical loading, and lack real-time monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a loading device with threaded rods and springs to apply pressure, a water filling device with a reducer cylinder for controlled water supply, and a monitoring system with mass sensors and strain gauges to measure water absorption in real-time under different loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing water absorption testing methods are used, then the testing process is simple, but the measurement cannot be performed in the direction parallel to load applying direction and lacks real-time monitoring capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the loading device, water filling device, and monitoring system into an integrated testing apparatus. The loading device applies compressive load to the concrete specimen while the water filling device supplies water, and the monitoring system simultaneously measures both load and water absorption data, enabling coupled measurement of mechanical performance and water absorption under load
Solution Approach 2:
The testing apparatus performs multiple functions: it applies compressive load to simulate service conditions, supplies water to the specimen through capillary action, measures the applied load via strain gauges, and monitors water absorption in real-time through mass sensors, replacing multiple separate testing procedures with a single multi-functional device
2Loss of information
If real-time monitoring of water absorption under load is implemented, then continuous data is obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system continuously measures the mass of the water storage tank through mass sensors and records the data in real-time. The system provides continuous feedback on water absorption rates under different load levels, enabling dynamic analysis of water absorption behavior during the testing process without requiring intermittent manual measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual measurement methods with automated sensing systems. Strain gauges mounted on the loading device automatically record load data, while mass sensors continuously monitor water mass changes, and a computer system automatically processes and stores the data, eliminating the need for manual reading and recording operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-precision measurement of capillary water absorption rate of concrete specimens under various loads, reducing errors and providing continuous, real-time data, thus reflecting actual service conditions and improving the understanding of water absorption mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The moisture and harmful medium carried thereby intrude into the interior of the concrete by capillary action
Implementation Method 2
a strain gauge for detecting change of stress of the concrete specimen
Implementation Method 3
a mass sensor arranged under the water storage tank and a strain gauge for detecting change of stress of the concrete specimen; the mass sensor transmitting detected mass information of water flow inside the water storage tank to a computer to calculate the water absorption rate
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for testing water absorption of concrete in a direction parallel with load applying direction are provided. The apparatus includes a loading device, a water filling device, and a monitoring device. The loading device includes an upper support plate and a lower support plate connected with the upper support plate via multiple threaded rods, and a space for placing a concrete specimen formed between the upper support plate and the lower support plate. The water filling device includes a water filling cylinder having a side connected with a water supply tank via an inlet pipe, and another side connected with a water storage tank via an outlet pipe. The monitoring device includes a mass sensor arranged under the water storage tank and a strain gauge for detecting change of stress of the concrete specimen.