Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PT-SMS (Novel structural monitoring solution for safe and sustainable post-tensioned infrastructure)

Teaser

Post-tensioning of concrete is becoming increasingly popular in the Building & Civil Engineering market due to its long-term structural health and compliance with goal 9 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) on resilient infrastructure. Problems with design...

Summary

Post-tensioning of concrete is becoming increasingly popular in the Building & Civil Engineering market due to its long-term structural health and compliance with goal 9 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) on resilient infrastructure. Problems with design, operations, or influence from the direct environment in a construction work can result in faulty slabs, bringing high costs, litigation and often not without catastrophic consequences (e.g. Morandi bridge collapse, Genoa 2018). Design problems or failure in the anchorage zone, corrosion, creep and shrinkage, splitting etc. can cause faulty structural elements over time. There is a lack of commercial solutions supporting the instrumentation of the PT strand framework during the building phase and for monitoring it until after completion for the maintenance and inspection phase. PT-SMS, by 3S’TECH, provides a simple structurally integrated monitoring solution for real-time monitoring of post-tensioned structures. Its innovative sensor system design allows easy self-installation, accurate stress measurements and >5 years lifetime. Connected wirelessly to a cloud-based big data platform, real-time data and intelligence is available on-site for construction monitoring and post-construction structural health monitoring services. PT-SMS will disrupt a traditional & fragmented market of 353.2M$ and CAGR of 13.4% through a reliable IoT and big data driven structural health monitoring solution. PT-SMS will provide construction companies with a strong competitive advantage by delivering higher control and safety, reducing maintenance costs and risks and delivering extra building health monitoring services which will strengthen their position in competitive European and global markets. Commercialization will be through leading construction companies.

The objectives of the project were to study the technical as well as the commercial feasibility and to work on an updated business plan. Solutions had to be found to several technical bottlenecks encountered in the tests. The development strategy needed to be refined. From a commercial point of view it was important to study the market and get feedback from relevant stakeholders. The final objective was to update the business plan and prepare a roadmap reflecting the company’s ambition.

As such, a better understanding of the client’s needs, competitors, IP strategy, technical issues and of the company itself (organisation, structure, strategy, vision) has been possible through the feasibility study.

Work performed

Technical feasibility
To ensure the technical feasibility of the PT-SMS project, 3S’TECH studied the integration of a multi-sensor solution, studied, suggested and tested solutions for technical bottlenecks, created a realistic environment simulation for laboratory tests, updated the prototype to an easier and completer MVP and defined the approach and started the design of a scalable and automatic solution, including the analysis of needs and existing solutions for physical property measurements and conversion, (wireless) data transfer and migration, data analysis, and visualisation cloud platform solution (BD platform).

Commercial feasibility
To study the potential and feasibility of the PT-SMS project from a commercial point of view, 3S’TECH completed customer discovery activities to better understand the stakeholders’ problem and interest and to get feedback on the presented solution. The market has been studied from a European and global point of view. The findings have allowed to make a preliminary commercialization plan containing marketing and sales strategy, as well as to refine the IP strategy. The insights have been included in an estimation of the project’s potential within 3S’TECH and this is reflected in a financial prevision, confirming the project’s financial feasibility and ambition.

Updated business plan
In order to continuously improve the team and company and to keep a critical eye on the long term ambition and feasibility of the project and company, 3S’TECH has worked on updating its business plan. A healthy reflection on the team, business model and financial topics was possible thanks to many team sessions and the participation in the EMPENTA business acceleration programme. Coaches and mentors helped in the critical reflection of the business. New insights and confirmation of the market need have been gathered through contact with industry players.

Results
The result of the feasibility study shows that the business opportunity has been confirmed to be feasible and there is a market interest for the innovation 3S’TECH offers with the PT-SMS project. Technical feasibility has been proven and significant advancements have been made to the product and concept. The approach to the development and market entry have been redefined. The existing business plan has been updated with reflection and new insights on the company vision and ambition, team, business model, strategy, market and financing. Business acceleration services have allowed the team to work on themselves and on the concept as to build a stronger foundation. The concept has been demonstrated exhibiting on the Construmat fair in Barcelona. The product concept was introduced to important market players during customer discovery activities.

Final results

The results of the technical study have been positive. Solutions have been found allowing the development of a device able to measure stresses in harsh conditions of the construction site and to resist the aggressive grouting process.

The ambition of PT-SMS goes beyond the initial target applications. The innovation will allow the measurement of stresses and forces in cables and strands in many applications going from ground anchorages to glass structure frameworks or infrastructure applications. The company aims to reduce uncertainty in crucial structural elements and procedures and stimulate the verification of calculations and modelled estimations by instrumenting. This will increase safety, control and profitability while allowing the reduction of material waste.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.3stech.eu/productos/.