A system and method for controlling concrete production are disclosed. The system includes a protected, self-cleaning sensor assembly positioned at an entrance of a concrete mixer tank. The assembly comprises a robust housing with a protective upper cover to deflect materials, a transparent front cover for a sensor array including at least a camera, and an active cleaning system with water and air nozzles. This assembly provides continuous, real-time sensor data (visual, acoustic, thermal) to a proactive artificial intelligence (AI)-based control system. The AI system processes this data to autonomously determine the type, quantity, and timing of chemical admixture additions to maintain desired concrete properties. The AI system is also configured to control the assembly's cleaning system in a coordinated wash-and-dry sequence, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the incoming sensor data for closed-loop control of the concrete production process.

Described herein are novel construction materials and construction material compositions, processes, and equipment for manufacturing press-formed biocement and bioconcrete products and construction materials. In some embodiments, the methods include combining aggregate particles with a first measured dose of at least one biological organism or enzyme and a first measured dose of cementation reagents in a first mixer, mixing the contents of the first mixer and reacting the first measured dose of the cementation reagents in the presence of the first measured dose of the at least one biological organism or enzyme to form a biocement which binds to the surfaces of the aggregate particles, thereby increasing the size of the particles to yield a biocement coated aggregate.

A method is for manufacturing elements including hydraulic binder and aggregates. The method includes mixing a dry mortar composition including hydraulic binder and aggregates with water, to form a wet mortar. The method also includes pumping and conveying the wet mortar towards an outlet. During the conveying at least two physical properties of the wet mortar are measured on-line. The physical properties include viscosity and at least one of flow and density.

Apparatus for real time water content and water cement monitoring on a ready-mix concrete truck includes at least one real time moisture measurement module or sensor configured to sense continuous real time moisture measurements of a batch of wet cement loaded into a rotating drum of a ready-mix concrete truck; and provide signaling containing information about the continuous real time moisture measurements sensed. The apparatus may include either a hatch door of the rotating drum of the ready-mix concrete truck, or the rotating drum of the ready-mix concrete truck, or the ready-mix concrete truck itself.

A device for producing a concrete includes a cement premixer for mixing a cement suspension, the cement premixer having an ultrasonic probe for preparing a cement suspension, a crystallization tank arrangement with the first crystallization tank, for increasing the early strengths of the concrete, and a concrete mixer for producing a concrete mixture from the premixed cement suspension, in particular with the addition of aggregates.

An apparatus (100) for the production of a plaster slurry is described, the apparatus (100) comprising a mixer (102) for mixing at least plaster and water to form a plaster slurry, the mixer (102) comprising an outlet conduit (122), a foam generator (106) for mixing at least air, a foaming agent and water to produce a foam, the foam generator (106) in fluid communication with the mixer (102) via a fluid pathway (116) comprising a foam conduit (117); and a mass flow meter (124), wherein the mass flow meter (124) is configured to measure the density and mass flow rate of the foam within the foam conduit (117) or the plaster slurry within the outlet conduit (122). Additionally, a method of manufacturing a plaster slurry is described.

The present invention allows for better control over strength in concrete mixes and mix designs, while minimizing the over-use of cement and promoting sustainability within the industry. Disclosed are novel method and system which employ a diagnostic delta data (DDD) curve, or, in other words, data that displays a curvilinear relationship when plotted on a visual graph, as obtained by considering the differences (e.g., subtractive differences or ratios) as between (i) target slump and target (or maximum) water content, and (ii) slump and water content values as determined using an automated slump monitoring system which measures slump and water content in the concrete mix during delivery. This DDD curve can then be compared to monitored delta slump and delta water content for later or other deliveries, such that adjustments can be made to the concrete mix or mix design, in a manner that encourages avoidance of cement over-dosing or over-prescription.

In a manufacturing method for manufacturing a dispersion body, a plurality of types of solid particles, water, and a liquid dispersant are mixed. In the manufacturing method, at least two types of the solid particles and at least one type of the dispersant that are selected based on a material type selection method are used, and at least an optimal amount of the dispersant that is determined based on an optimal amount determination method is added and mixed. The material type selection method is based on a Hansen solubility parameter distance to water, Hansen spheres of the solid particles, and a Hansen sphere of the dispersant.

A quality control system of the invention allows controlling, image analysis and continuous visual monitoring of aggregates and sand processing, and physical properties and workability of fresh concrete and concrete mixes, which are manufactured from the aggregates and sand, and then transported to construction sites and used there for construction purposes. The system of the invention comprises visual monitoring devices (100), stationary or mobile, installed or remotely used at quarries, concrete plants, in concrete trucks and at the construction sites. The method for continuous visual monitoring of the aggregates, sand and concrete is based on image or video processing and analysis of the aggregates and sand, fresh concrete, concrete mixes or precast concrete, the concrete slump levels, segregation and bleeding, homogeneity of the mixture and consistency.

A system features an acoustic sensor configured to mount on a wall of a mixing drum, sense an acoustic characteristic of a mixture of a slurry, including concrete, contained in a mixing drum when rotating, and provide acoustic sensor signaling containing information about the acoustic characteristic sensed; and a signal processor configured to receive the acoustic sensor signaling, and determine corresponding signaling containing information about a slump characteristic of the mixture of concrete contained in the mixing drum, based upon the signaling received.