Optimise concrete curing and demoulding with predictive technology
Join PreDeM_IRVA and explore how predictive monitoring and smarter production planning can help you determine the optimal demoulding time for precast concrete elements, reduce energy consumption and improve production efficiency.
Challenge
Producing precast concrete elements requires careful control of the curing process. Before elements can be removed from their moulds, the concrete must reach sufficient strength to ensure safe handling and meet quality requirements. Determining the right moment, however, remains a challenge for manufacturers.
Today, curing is often monitored through manual testing of concrete samples and predefined waiting times based on experience. These methods provide limited insight into the actual strength development of individual elements, particularly when differences in geometry, concrete composition and environmental conditions influence the curing process.
As a result, manufacturers risk leaving elements in their moulds longer than necessary, reducing production capacity. Demoulding too early, on the other hand, can compromise quality. Additional heating can accelerate curing, but without accurate predictions, it may lead to unnecessary energy consumption and higher production costs.
Project Goals
In this project (PreDeM_IRVA) aims to develop a predictive concrete curing and demoulding toolbox that helps precast concrete manufacturers determine the optimal time to remove elements from their moulds while improving energy efficiency and production planning.
The project will combine existing measurements with advanced models to continuously estimate concrete maturity and early-age strength. By considering factors such as concrete composition, element geometry and environmental conditions, the solution will predict how curing progresses and identify safe, optimal demoulding moments.
The toolbox will also support intelligent heating control and integration with production planning, allowing manufacturers to adjust curing conditions according to production schedules and actual strength development.
By reducing the need for manual quality checks, avoiding unnecessary curing time and optimising energy use, we aim to help manufacturers increase production capacity, lower operational costs and achieve more predictable production processes.
Join our research
We are looking for companies that want to participate in our research and work with us on the valorisation of the project.
Interested?
Then complete the form below.
