PCERF develops first indigenous ‘Maturity Meter’ to measure the strength of concrete

Pune, December 18, 2019: In order to measure and determine the strength of concrete used in construction, the Pune Construction Engineering Research Foundation (PCERF) has developed an indigenous ‘Maturity Meter’ device. The indigenous maturity meter accordingly will be available at 30 to 40 percent of the cost of the foreign maturity meter, which is currently available in the market.

This information was given by Vishwas Lokare, President, PCERF at a Press conference held in Pune today. Dignitaries including Sanjay Vaichal, Vice President, PCERF, Jayant Inamdar, Vice President, PCERF, Neelkanth Joshi, Secretary, PCERF were present for the conference, along with Dr Hemant Dhonde and Dr. Rajesh Ghongade, who have been instrumental in developing the device. A 35-year-old, non-profit organization in the construction sector, PCERF introduces new and cost-effective technologies to business associates. The main objective of the organization is to provide training and useful research for newer technologies in the sector. Shrikant Nivsarkar, Past President, PCERF, V. V. Badve from PCERF were also present.

The Indian-made device, called ‘Intelligent Concrete Maturity Meter’ is affordable and easy to use. The small device, which can be directly connected to the mobile has been specifically developed to suit the techniques and skills of end users in India. By using this Indian-made maturity meter, the overall project cost can be saved by 10 to 12 percent. Currently, the foreign-made maturity meter kit is available in the range of Rs. 3 Lacs to 15 Lacs. On the contrary, Indian maturity meter kit can be placed in the range of Rs. 50 Thousand to 5 Lacs. PCERF is in the process of applying for the nod of the ‘Indian Standard Code’ for this machine. However, the meter already works as per the International standards.

Concrete has a unique importance in the infrastructure construction, but its in-place strength is often incorrectly estimated by using the cumbersome and time-consuming standard cube or cylindrical tests. These methods are destructive and less accurate which leads to many glitches in the development of the structure. To counter that, Maturity Method, which is a 30-year old proven Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) method is used to estimate the real-time and realistic strength development of in-place concrete. Considered as more reliable, the method is based on the principle that concrete strength is directly related to its hydration (temperature) and age (time). However, it is mostly used in foreign countries and very less in India.

Lokare said, “Concrete in India is often measured by traditional destructive methods as the Maturity Meter available in the market is foreign-made and expensive to use. PCERF has devised a cheaper alternative of better quality. This Indian maturity meter will be able to measure the strength of concrete accurately at a lower cost much to the advantage of the construction sector. The equipment has been tested and is ready for commercial use.” He added saying that PCERF has recently filed a patent for the Maturity Meter and is looking for entrepreneurs and start-ups to come forward to manufacture and deal in it.

The indigenous maturity meter will be presented at the 16th edition of the international expo called ‘Constro 2020’ organized by PCERF. The expo will be held from January 16 to January 19, 2020 at New Agriculture College Ground, Sinchan Nagar, Pune. The theme for this year’s exhibition will be- ‘Mechanized and Intelligent Construction’.