Inventors at USF have created a device that automates the measurement of both the cross-sectional dimension and height of rising concrete in the construction of drilled shafts. The current technology for this process involves tracking the rising concrete’s height completely manually using a measuring tape with a mass tied to the end of it. The manual method only allows for single measurements after each truck of concrete has emptied its full contents into the shaft hole. Our technology would instead provide continuous tracking throughout the pouring process, providing better identification of any anomalies in the concrete distribution and dimensions in real time. Its higher sensing frequency also makes the data much more accurate than what is obtained from current measurement techniques, improving the construction and quality of drilled shafts.
Completed Prototype Design