Concrete

Moisture measurement in bulk solids including RMC

Published

4 years ago

December 21, 2021

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Time Domain Refractometry (TDR) is a method used to measure the dielectric constant (water content) of a material.

Time Domain Refractometry (TDR) is a method used to measure the dielectric constant (water content) of a material. Metal conductors or rods are used as wave guides for the transmission of the TDR-signal. The device generates a high-frequency-pulse (up to 1GHz) which propagates along the wave guides at the speed near to light, generating an electromagnetic field around the probe. At the end of the wave guides, the pulse is reflected to its source. The resulting transit time from picoseconds to nanoseconds and dielectric constant provide an accurate measurement of moisture content. The moisture content is calculated inside the device and is available at standard analogue outputs.

IMKO, a German company, which part of the Endress+Hauser Group has developed a patented measuring method called TRIME® TDR method. With this technology it is possible to measure the transit time with a resolution of 3 picoseconds. The TRIME® TDR method has been successfully used more than 30 years in the process industry.

The TRIME® TDR -technique has an ideal measuring frequency between 600MHz and 1.2GHz and the measuring field penetrates deep into the material. The electromagnetic pulses generated in the TRIME device are high enough and constant for good resolution and accuracy of measurement. In addition, disturbing influences such as electrical conductivity have nearly no effect. Precise moisture can be measured in temperatures up to 120°C. TRIME® TDR technology is used in Solitrend product which helps to increase product quality and reduce energy efforts due to precise moisture measurement.

The senor used in Solitrend is in direct contact with the material. Calibration is a simple linear equation. Measurement field adapts itself to the shape of material and is quite large. It is also undisturbed by dripping water, air and dirt. The probes are extremely rugged for exceptionally long operational life. It also replaces time consuming lab analysis and manual sampling with continuous online measurement.

Both In line as well as portable probes measurements are available.

Application

The building industry. Moisture measurement in Ready Mix Concrete.
In line moisture content measurement in bulk material or goods like wood chips, pellets, animal food etc.
The glass and ceramics industry like silica sand, moulding sand, ceramics mass.
Food Industry. Malting plants, Corn, Sludge drying, Fluid bed dryers (inlet/outlet).

Limitations of other methods

Capacitance method – This method works with single measuring frequencies between 5-80MHz. The dielectric constant is influenced both by moisture and salinity. It is very difficult to distinguish between the two influences and precise moisture measurements are difficult to achieve.

Microwave method – The frequencies of microwave techniques are generally higher than 2GHz. This technique leads to loss in resolution and accuracy of measurement having negative influence on the readings.

Conductance or Resistance method – This method have very low measuring frequencies of about 4kHz. There is a strong influence of different salinity of the bulk material on the measurement. The difference in salinity is caused by different mineral contents temperature. Another problem of resistance method is the low penetration depth of the measuring field.

Near-Infrared method (NIR)-This method shows a very lower penetration depth and, therefore, considerable influences of material surface and thickness.

Scan the QR code for more information or write to us on info.in.sc@endress.com.

Concrete

Ultra Concrete Age

Prof. A. S. Khanna (Retd., IIT Bombay) on how Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) improves strength, durability and lifecycle performance.

Published

1 week ago

April 1, 2026

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The need of present time is stronger buildings, industrial or common utility buildings, such as Malls, Railway stations, hospitals, offices, bridges etc. For this, there is need of long durable, tough and stable concrete, which could stand under normal and seismic conditions. Tough railway bridges are required for bullet trains to pass without any damage. Railway tunnels, sea-links, coastal roads, bridges and multistorey buildings, are the need of the hour. The question comes, is the normal cement called OPC is sufficient to take care of such requirements or better combination of cements and sand mixtures is required?

Introduction

A good stable building structure can be made with a good quality of cement+sand+water system. Its quality can be enhanced by keeping the density of admixture higher (varies from 30 in normal buildings to bridges etc to 80). Further enhancement in the properties of various cements admixtures is made by adding several additives which give additional strength, waterproofing, flexibility etc. These are called construction chemicals…

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Concrete

NCB Signs MoU With Cement Manufacturer To Boost Construction Skills

Partnership to deliver nationwide training and certification

Published

1 week ago

March 31, 2026

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The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a leading cement manufacturer to strengthen skill development and capacity building in the construction sector. The agreement was formalised at NCB premises in Ballabgarh and was signed by the Director General of NCB, Dr L. P. Singh, and the head of technical services at UltraTech Cement Limited, Er Rahul Goel. The collaboration seeks to bring institutional resources and industry expertise into a structured national training effort.

The partnership will deliver structured training and certification programmes across the country aimed at enhancing the capabilities of civil engineers, ready?mix concrete (RMC) professionals, contractors, construction workers and masons. Programme curricula will cover material quality testing, concrete mix proportioning, durability assessment and sustainable construction practices to support improved construction outcomes. Emphasis is to be placed on standardised assessment and certification to raise practice levels across diverse construction roles.

Practical learning elements will include workshops, site demonstrations, technical seminars and exposure visits to plants and RMC facilities to strengthen applied skills and on?site decision making. The Director General indicated confidence that a large number of professionals and workers would be trained over the next three to five years under the initiative. The partnership is designed to complement flagship government schemes such as the Skill India Mission and to align training outputs with national infrastructure priorities.

By combining the council’s technical mandate with industry experience, the initiative aims to develop a more skilled and quality?conscious workforce capable of meeting rising demand in infrastructure and housing. NCB will continue to coordinate programme delivery and quality assurance while industry partners provide practical exposure and technical inputs. The collaboration is expected to support long?term capacity building and more sustainable construction practices nationwide.

Concrete

JSW Cement Commissions Nagaur Plant, Enters North India

New Rajasthan unit boosts capacity to 24.1 MTPA and expands reach

Published

1 week ago

March 30, 2026

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JSW Cement has strengthened its national presence by commencing production at its greenfield integrated cement plant in Nagaur, Rajasthan, marking its entry into the north Indian market.

With this commissioning, the company’s installed grinding capacity has increased to 24.1 MTPA, while total clinker capacity, including its joint venture operations, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

The Nagaur facility comprises a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and a 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit, with an additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity currently under development. Strategically located, the plant is positioned to serve high-growth markets across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR.

The project has been funded through a mix of equity and long-term debt, with Rs 800 crore allocated from IPO proceeds towards part-financing the unit.

Parth Jindal, Managing Director, JSW Cement, stated that the commissioning marks a key milestone in the company’s ambition to become a pan-India player. He added that the project was completed within 21 months and positions the company to achieve its targeted capacity of 41.85 MTPA by FY29.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, highlighted that the expansion aligns with the company’s strategy to tap into rapidly growing northern markets driven by infrastructure development. He noted that the company remains focused on delivering high-quality, eco-friendly cement solutions while progressing towards its long-term capacity goal of 60 MTPA.

The Nagaur plant has been designed with sustainability features, including co-processing of alternative fuels and a 7 km overland belt conveyor for limestone transport to reduce road emissions. The facility will also incorporate a 16 MW Waste Heat Recovery System to improve energy efficiency and lower its carbon footprint.

JSW Cement, part of the JSW Group, operates across the building materials value chain and currently has eight plants across India, along with a clinker unit in the UAE through its joint venture.