Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing relative hardness of horizontal concrete surfaces includes a weighted platform with scratching pins on a bottom surface of the platform. The pins are arranged in a trapezoidal arrangement. The apparatus is translated over the surface to determine if the surface has reached the desired level of hardness. If translation of the apparatus results in scratching of the surface, the desired level of hardness has not been reached.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring humidity or moisture, such as in concrete, is described comprising a sensor module comprising a humidity or moisture sensor in electrical communication with a first set of terminals and a hand-held reader module comprising a controller in electrical communication with a second set of terminals that are mateable with the first set of terminals such that the hand-held reader module is electrically connectable to and electrically disconnectable from the sensor module. The hand-held reader module is configured to read data from the sensor in response to making electrical connection with the sensor module. One set of terminals can comprise plural connector pins and the other set of terminals can comprise plural landing pads, such that the plural connector pins and the plural landing pads make a same electrical connection regardless of the rotational orientation of the hand-held reader module relative to the sensor module.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring humidity or moisture, such as in concrete, is described comprising a sensor module comprising a humidity or moisture sensor in electrical communication with a first set of terminals and a hand-held reader module comprising a controller in electrical communication with a second set of terminals that are mateable with the first set of terminals such that the hand-held reader module is electrically connectable to and electrically disconnectable from the sensor module. The hand-held reader module is configured to read data from the sensor in response to making electrical connection with the sensor module. One set of terminals can comprise plural connector pins and the other set of terminals can comprise plural landing pads, such that the plural connector pins and the plural landing pads make a same electrical connection regardless of the rotational orientation of the hand-held reader module relative to the sensor module.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a moisture vapor probe comprising a hollow sleeve and a removable electronics module. The probe has a generally cylindrical hollow sleeve having a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The sleeve comprises a sensor plate having a moisture vapor sensor and forming a water impermeable barrier with the sidewall. The sleeve has an opening such that a volume is defined by the opening, the sidewall and the sensor plate. The probe further comprises an electronics module removably disposable within the sleeve. The electronics module includes an information transfer unit. The information transfer unit in communication with the moisture vapor sensor and adapted to receive relative humidity information from the moisture vapor sensor.

Abstract: A probe for determining the relative humidity and temperature of a substance such as a concrete floor. The probe is adapted to be inserted into a hole in the substance being tested. The probe has a head portion and a tail portion. A display is provided on the head portion to provide a user with a visual indication of the relative humidity and temperature within the substance. The entire probe structure is designed to be contained within the hole without the need for any components protruding out of the hole to cause an obstruction.

Abstract: A multi-depth deflectometer provides use and fabrication advantages. It is comprised of a head member that normally is disposed at the very mouth of a bore hole, an elongated tail member extending down through the bore hole. Displacement transducers are removably positioned within the head member which can be opened from the surface. The transducers can be easily placed in or removed by hand. The first trackings of subsurface deflections are done through mechanical deflection anchors located at desired measuring levels within the tail member. The deflection anchors have transverse-bite actuators and are each separately in vertical-actuation communication with one of the transducers. A method of implementing the MDD reflects the use and fabrication advantages also.

Abstract: Wind-rain induced vibrations of a cable-stayed bridge are damped using tuned mass damper(s) (“TMD”). A TMD-damped cable-stayed bridge is comprised of (a) a bridge having at least one span, at least one pylon, and at least one stay cable extending from a point on the pylon to a point on the span and (b) at least one tuned mass damper in damping communication with the stay cable. A TMD-damped stay cable is comprised of (a) a stay cable comprised of a core of at least one longitudinal element or strand within a tube and (b) a tuned mass damper in damping communication with the stay cable. The TMD can be mounted on the stay cable in a low-profile position relative the stay cable and/or at any desired position along the length of the cable. The TMD can be of annular configuration and comprised of a viscoelastic spring system and an outer mass. The outer mass can be formed of two mating sections.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method of manufacture of a cement product composition. A cementitious clinker consisting essentially of an alpha belite and a ferrite phase having a composition of about 0.04-0.13 moles Na.sub.2 O, 0.03-0.07 moles K.sub.2 O, 0.09-0.18 moles Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 2.8 moles dicalcium silicate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reliably generating simulations of actual dust suspension conditions and measuring the associated density of suspended dust. The dust monitor is constructed to permit generation of dust suspensions by achieving various pre-selected motions for the test material, such as a rolling motion or swirling motion relative to the forward direction of travel of the test material. The apparatus and method permit prediction and control of the propensity to form dust suspensions during actual operating situations in the field.