SONO-ES Concrete: T3/22 probe with TECANAT Installation tube and SONO-ES transducer

All traditional procedures to measure moisture in hardened concrete are strongly dependent on disturbance variables like temperature and volatile salinity. Long-term stability of many sensors like humidity sensors is also not guaranteed. In contrast to previous methods TRIME-TDR stands out by its non-destructive, accurate and long-term stable measurement technology.

Applications and benefits

  • Continuous measurement of the moisture of concrete, rock, stone and masonry
  • The diameter of the probe with 22mm enables a simple installation vertically as well as horizontally up to installation depths of 2.5m
  • A retrofitting installation of the probe even in difficult to access areas of an existing building is possible
  • Purchase, storage, transport and use of the TRIME-TDR measurement technology are not subject to any administrative requirements
  • Measurements are largely independent of temperature and electrical conductivity
  • Guranteed long-term use without recalibration of sensors

Type of installation 1

In the first step a relatively flat borehole is drilled with a 22mm special drill into up to 2m drilling depths. The borehole sensor T3/22 is completed watertightly sealed with casting compound in the borehole, so an intrusion of water is excluded.

This guarantees a long-term operation of the probe. Before encapsulating test measurements with the T3/22 should be performed. It should be no dirt between the spring loaded measuring plates and the borehole wall.

Benefits

  • Easy to implement 22mm drilling
  • Installation depth up to 2m
  • The probe T3/22 is completely watertight encapsulated

Disadvantages

  • A retrofitting removal of the probe is not possible

For this type of installation the measuring plates of the T3/22 probe have to be coated with plastic material.

Type of installation 2

A rather flat borehole is drilled with a 22.5mm special drill into up to 2m drilling depths in the first step. Into the borehole a TECANAT plastic tube is put in which the borehole probe T3/22 may be variably inserted. The plastic tube in the borehole has to be encapsulated with casting compound.

Benefits

  • Cost-saving use of several tubes
  • Variable insertion of the probe into the tubes
  • Installation depth up to 2m

Disadvantages

  • The probe has to be protected against instrusion of water into the tube
  • Necessity of a precise drilling technique in order to implement the plastic tube without air gap (0.2mm) into the borehole
  • The plastic tube has to be encapsulated with casting compound

For this installation type the measuring plates of the T3/22 probe are without plastic coating.