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Laplacian - Studying concrete degradation caused by water movement
| “We benefit from access to the special engineering techniques used by fusion engineers.” Peter Aptaker, Managing Director, Laplacian Ltd. |
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Laplacian Limited develops magnet systems to address high technology magnet applications ranging from thin-film material studies such as watching paint dry to brain imaging through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). “We chose the Culham Innovation Centre for a couple of reasons,” says Laplacian Managing Director Peter Aptaker. “The site has an excellent reputation in science and engineering circles and we can benefit from the interaction with companies on the site who are interested in the application of magnets. We also benefit from the UKAEA Technical Support Package and access to the special engineering techniques used by fusion engineers.”
Laplacian is collaborating with the University of Surrey on an innovative application of MRI. The project, funded by the Royal Society*, concerns applying imaging techniques to study degradation caused by water movement in built concrete structures. The cost to UK plc of degradation of buildings resulting from water transport is enormous; it is estimated that £550M is spent on bridge repair each year. However, despite the size of the problem, the civil engineering community still lacks adequate means of accurately measuring and characterising water in concrete. Laplacian’s contribution to the project is the development of a proof of concept portable imaging sensor. Here the company has drawn on the UKAEA Technical Support Package for precision engineering assistance in forming a magnet which is both portable and strong enough for use in such hostile environments. “Vacuum brazing has allowed us to make a robust portable structure for the MRI sensor; the next stage is to see how it performs in field trials over the next 12 months. The sensor will monitor moisture 50mm within the concrete construction to provide a profile of the underlying pore structure and pore water content,” explained Peter Aptaker.
For further information on Laplacian please visit: www.laplacian.co.uk
*Brian
Mercer
The 2003 Brian Mercer Senior Award, worth up to £250,000,
goes to Professor Peter McDonald of the University of Surrey.
Professor McDonald and his colleagues will conduct research
on innovative, portable magnetic resonance sensors for the assessment
of moisture movement in built concrete structures. The sensor
will monitor moisture in the surface layers (0-50 mm) of concrete
construction in the field and thereby provide a profile of the
underlying pore structure and pore water content of practical
value to the engineering community.
Deeside Bridge photo courtesy
of GIFFORD AND PARTNERS LTD in
Southampton
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