Study of Real-Time Concrete Strength Measurements and Monitoring Systems that Conform to AASHTO T-412-24 for Use in Materials Testing Which Will Provide Cost Savings and Reduce Waste

Concrete strength testing is essential to Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT’s) quality control (QC). Current practice relies on destructive cylinder testing (ASTM C39), a labor-intensive, costly method providing discrete-age strength data and delaying construction decisions. Maturity-based sensors (ASTM C1074) enable early-age monitoring but require mix-specific calibration. The newly adopted AASHTO T-412-24 provides a nondestructive alternative, measuring in place dynamic elastic modulus via acoustical resonance for real-time strength estimation. Field trials in Texas and Indiana achieved strength estimates within ±15% of cylinder results and reduced testing costs by ~50%. Sensors embedded at placement continuously log data, enabling immediate form removal, traffic opening, or corrective actions. Nevada’s mixes, with ~20% pozzolan replacement and variable aggregate quality, may alter the modulus-strength relationship. Sensor performance under Nevada’s climate, data reliability, and integration into NDOT quality assurance (QA)/QC procedures remain untested. This study will (i) verify T-412-24 sensor accuracy with NDOT mixes in the field, (ii) assess field performance under local conditions, (iii) evaluate environmental, economic, and waste-reduction impacts, and (iv) develop protocols for NDOT adoption. The objective of this research project is to evaluate whether T-412-24–compliant embedded sensors can deliver accurate, reliable real-time strength estimates for NDOT applications. The study will also correlate sensor data with ASTM C39 cylinder results for NDOT mixes in lab and field settings, identify implementation challenges, quantify cost/testing time savings, and produce specification-ready recommendations. The University of Nevada, Reno team plans to achieve the project goal by: (1) Conducting a comprehensive literature review and identifying a set of 4-6 representative NDOT mix designs for use in lab and field testing. (2) Deploying AASHTO T-412-24-compliant real-time strength sensors in four NDOT pilot placements across regions and applications, with multiple sensors per placement to capture spatial gradients. (3) Analyzing and synthesizing the strength data generated through the field deployment, including sensor readings and companion cylinder tests. (4) Assessing the life cycle for each concrete mix design. (5) Analyzing the life cycle cost for each concrete mix design. (6) Estimating the waste reduction for each concrete mix design. (7) Producing final project deliverables including recommendations, tools, and guidance necessary for NDOT to evaluate and adopt real-time strength monitoring technologies. This project will deliver validated specifications, installation guidelines, decision tools, and cost/benefit analyses for immediate use on NDOT pilot projects. If proven effective, AASHTO T-412-24–compliant real-time concrete strength sensors could be deployed on a wide range of construction and reconstruction projects, reducing cylinder testing costs, accelerating decisions, and improving durability. The main barrier is sensor cost, about $200 per unit plus a reusable datalogger, though savings from reduced materials, labor, and equipment operation are expected to offset this expense. Integration into NDOT’s QA/QC framework will require minor specification updates, with no significant political or socio-economic obstacles anticipated.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $278,197.00
• Contract Numbers:

  546-25-803

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Nevada Department of Transportation

  1263 South Stewart Street
  Carson City, NV  United States  89712
• Managing Organizations:

  Nevada Department of Transportation

  Research Division
  1263 South Stewart Street
  Carson City, NV  United States  89712
• Project Managers:

  Barreres, Joe

  Hale, Steven

  Matthews, Brian

  Ison, Mitch

• Performing Organizations:

  Wayne State University

  Civil and Environmental Engineering
  5050 Anthony Wayne Drive
  Detroit, MI  United States  48202
• Principal Investigators:

  Maglogianni, Myrsini

  Koo, Hyun

• Start Date: 20260327
• Expected Completion Date: 20280331
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete; Materials tests; Mix design; Modulus of elasticity; Nondestructive tests; Quality assurance; Quality control; Resonance; Sensors
• Geographic Terms: Nevada
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01984981
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Nevada Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 546-25-803
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 1 2026 5:10PM