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IAB: Clever Concrete​

In the development of modern high-performance concrete, IAB Weimar relies on ZEISS ARAMIS
Employees of IAB Weimar examine a specimen.

The Weimar Institute of Applied Construction Research (IAB), Germany, has been supporting innovations in the construction industry with user-oriented research and development for almost 30 years. The institute develops, among other things, new concrete formulas to meet the increasing safety and quality requirements. An important part of the development work is material testing, especially the detection of cracks with increasing age of the concrete. Researchers determine these limit loads with compression, bending tensile and tensile tests. In the past, the IAB used strain gauges that were positioned by “gut feeling” for crack localization, but they did not indicate the starting point of damages nor made surface deformations recordable. It is also impossible to predict where exactly cracks occur on the specimen. With ZEISS ARAMIS Adjustable this is a thing of the past. ​

The obtained measuring data and parameters can additionally be used for the creation of simulation models to determine load scenarios and make predictions regarding material behavior. In order to be able to optimize a simulation to the smallest detail, simulation results imported into the ZEISS software can be compared at a glance with further measurements of prototypes.

Employee of IAB Weimar looks at the computer screen, showing measurement results of the compression test, that takes places next to him.

High-quality deformation data in real time

Thanks to the 3D measurement system ZEISS ARAMIS Adjustable, at IAB Weimar, full-field 3D deformation data is created in every spatial direction from contactless measurements. The dense mesh of 3D measurement data captured by the system allows for the detailed analysis of the crack initiation and crack propagation process. As the whole surface of the concrete specimen is covered with two sensors, there is no need to guess anymore where the first crack will appear.

Employees of IAB Weimar monitor the load test on concrete specimens using the ZEISS ARAMIS Adjustable optical measurement sensor.

With the help of the software ZEISS CORRELATE several measuring areas can be recorded, evaluated in a common coordinate system and visualized at the same time. Even the measuring results of different systems can be displayed in the software which significantly simplifies analyses and comparisons. For local analyses, optical strain gauges can be flexibly dimensioned and positioned. With ZEISS ARAMIS a special focus can be laid on the analysis of the crack initiation and crack propagation behavior during the characterization of the mechanical material properties of the concrete. As a result, the system is ideal for research institutions and universities which work on various applications.

Front view of optical measurement system ZEISS ARAMIS Adjustable with dual cameras and LED illumination on a mounting bar.

ZEISS ARAMIS Adjustable

The optical measurement system ZEISS ARAMIS Adjustable is a versatile system for capturing strains, displacements and deformation. Thanks to the flexible design of the sensor head, it is the perfect solution for institutes that are working on different research projects. The LED illumination enables lighting hard-to-reach areas from various angles. The ZEISS ARAMIS system is often used for analyzing the crack propagation behavior of structural elements like beams or materials like concrete in the civil engineering world. The system is equipped with the ZEISS CORRELATE software, which supports throughout the entire test process.

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Combining two ZEISS ARAMIS sensors to perform measurements

The perfect choice for analysing crack behaviour

ZEISS ARAMIS systems are suitable for full-field and point-based analysis of the deformation behavior of statically or dynamically stressed components and materials. Variable measuring volumes and distances mean that the sensors can be used flexibly for different measuring tasks. At IAB Weimar the combination of two sensors (multisensor setup) enables the tracking of crack development even from different perspectives, for example, in front of and behind the specimens. This is a huge relief for the team, which no longer must rely on its gut feeling or luck

Technician performing visual inspection inside large machine casting in factory for ZEISS metrology.

Further insights: Giant precision

Large-scale castings are becoming more important across various industries, driven by the need for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing. Handtmann, Europe’s largest light-metal foundry, is leading the transition to gigacasting by casting complete structural parts and battery trays for electric vehicles in one piece. Learn more about quality assurance for XXL casting parts!

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