We can answer this question a number of ways. As a recording device,
the Con-Cure system's maturity meters are an order of magnitude more accurate than what is
required in the ASTM C1074 maturity standard. The maturity meters record at
user-selectable intervals to within 0.1 degrees C. The maturity probes (thermistors)
have a similar accuracy (+/- 0.1C) within the range of temperatures found inside concrete,
and are much more accurate than thermocouple-based systems (particularly those
thermocouples "handcrafted" at the job site by a worker who strips the wires and
twists them together again!).
However, it is much more important to understand exactly what the maturity
meter is telling you when it is recording. Recording temperatures over time is just
the first part of the process. Correctly assessing
maturity at any given point in time is what you are really after. For
the highest accuracy when conducting maturity testing one must properly create the
Signature Strength-Maturity (SSM) Curve in the laboratory (or alternately in the field)
from the concrete being placed. This process is something we teach in great detail in our Certification Training.
When the SSM curve is correctly created and applied using the Arrhenius
formula (embedded in the Con-Cure Software), the reported in-place strengths are
remarkably accurate. In our own testing we routinely achieve accuracy well within
the +/- 10% factor cited in many codes. In fact, we are typically within 5% of the
actual in-place strength even at very early ages. And it is easy to demonstrate this
on any job site.
Please contact us toll-free at 866-386-4800 if you would care to discuss
our exact methods of attaining such outstanding accuracy!
Also, you should be aware that not all companies that sell maturity
systems are the same in this regard!
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