Wavelogix REBEL™ Becomes New National Standard for Estimating Concrete Strength

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Approves REBEL™ Concrete Strength Sensing System

West Lafayette, IN – August 1, 2024 – Wavelogix, founded by Purdue University professor Luna Lu, is proud to announce that the innovative REBEL™ Concrete Strength Sensing System has been approved as a new national standard by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Committee on Materials and Pavements.

 

After seven years of rigorous research and development by Luna Lu and her lab at Purdue University, this milestone marks a significant step toward revolutionizing concrete infrastructure repair and maintenance across the United States.

Strength of Endorsements and Future Prospects

Purdue University professor Luna Lu holds the REBEL™ Concrete Strength Sensing System. (Purdue University photo/Greta Bell)
In June 2024, INDOT conducted a verification test of the REBEL™ sensor technology. Sensors were installed within a bridge deck in Anderson, Indiana. (Purdue University photo/Rui He)

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), a key supporter from the inception of this technology, proposed the method as a standard to AASHTO. INDOT has conducted verification tests, adding this technique to its Indiana Test Methods Index. Initial results show that the REBEL™ system can provide a faster and more reliable estimate of concrete strength, potentially allowing newly repaired road sections to open sooner, saving time and money.

 

“The implications of this technology are staggering because everybody who pours concrete — it doesn’t matter whether you’re building a skyscraper or a road — what you want to know is the strength of the concrete so you can move on with construction. There’s nothing anywhere else in the world that can determine concrete strength in place like this does,” said Mike Nelson, a concrete engineer in INDOT’s Division of Materials and Tests.

Beta Testing and Adoption

The REBEL™ system is currently undergoing beta testing in 11 states, including Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and California. Early results indicate the technology’s superior accuracy and consistency compared to existing concrete strength tests.

As awareness of the new AASHTO standard grows, more state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are expected to adopt this method, integrating it into their construction and materials testing specifications.

Purdue researchers and Wavelogix work with a crew to test the REBEL™ sensor technology within a section of I-25 in Colorado summer 2023. (Purdue University photo/Rui He)

Innovative Technology for Concrete Infrastructure

The REBEL™ Concrete Strength Sensing System uses sensor technology embedded in fresh concrete to monitor strength and temperature in real-time. Unlike traditional methods, which rely on testing concrete cylinders in a lab or onsite facility, the REBEL™ system provides direct measurements from the actual concrete structure. This method eliminates discrepancies caused by varying environmental conditions and offers a more accurate assessment of concrete strength.

 

Traditional methods, like the maturity concept, use historical data to estimate strength based on time and temperature. However, these methods are only specific to particular concrete mixes and conditions.

 

In contrast, The REBEL™ system uses vibrations in the concrete to detect rigidity and other mechanical properties. Sensors vibrate the concrete and measure changes in frequency over time, correlating these changes to strength gain. This real-time monitoring allows for more precise and timely decisions on construction progress.

 

Additional Recognition and Ongoing Support

The REBEL™ technology has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Alfred Noble Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers and a gold Edison Award. It has appeared on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023 list and Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech for 2022. Wavelogix recently received a $3 million investment from Rhapsody Venture Partners and has secured support from a group of angel investors.

 

About Wavelogix

Founded by Luna Lu, Wavelogix leverages advanced sensor technology to transform concrete strength testing. By providing real-time data on concrete strength, the REBEL™ system is set to modernize construction practices and enhance infrastructure longevity across the U.S.