Concrete Materials Characterization (COMAC)

To meet the U.S. Navy, specifically PMA-201, need for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of concrete, including evaluating its strength, material properties, and damage localization, Luminit, LLC, and Southern Illinois University (SIU) propose to develop a novel Concrete Materials Characterization (COMAC) system, combining several methods of concrete characterization into a single sensor/software combination. The COMAC will use ultrasonic, physical, thermal, and radiographic methods to measure macroscopic values, then combine these measurements to calculate relevant concrete parameters. The combination of complementary measurements will provide a faster and more accurate characterization of the concrete to be measured, and will provide data for inclusion into Holmquist-Johnson-Cook modeling and the Navys hydrocode models. The COMAC will fit within 6 cubic feet, weigh less than 20 pounds, and be capable of a complete operationincluding setup, test, and packing upin under 45 minutes. In Phase I, we will analyze the available technologies and determine the minimum set that will provide the complete information needed, ending with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 laboratory test prototype and software description. During Phase II we will develop this into a fully testable engineering prototype that, after testing by the Navy, will be at TRL 6.