Real-time concrete monitoring improved programme certainty, enabled faster formwork striking, and saved up to one day per pour.
£90m mixed-use development in central Cambridge featuring multi-block concrete frames and post-tensioned slabs across seven buildings.
The Project
£90m mixed-use development in central Cambridge, delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction (East) for Railpen and Socius
Seven buildings across a 3-acre former industrial site, comprising 110,000 sq ft of office space, 70 build-to-rent apartments, crèche, public park, and restored Railway Cottages
Sustainability-led scheme targeting 280% Biodiversity Net Gain, 100% renewable energy, and 99% waste diversion from landfill
Multi-block concrete frame across Blocks A–N, including post-tensioned floor slabs
The Challenge
Formwork striking and post-tensioning decisions were based on assumptions rather than live in-situ data
Cube testing lagged behind actual concrete strength gain, limiting programme flexibility
Cold weather slowed strength development with limited visibility to adapt pour scheduling
A mid-project supplier change required full concrete mix re-validation
Solution
Sensors deployed across reinforced elements and post-tensioned floors
Real-time strength and temperature data captured directly from in-situ concrete
Early pours cross-checked against cube tests to validate accuracy
Results
1 day saved per pour through confirmation of optimal PT stressing timing
Real-time visibility enabled confident formwork striking across all elements
Live data allowed pour scheduling to be adapted during colder conditions
Once we validated the Helix system against cube testing, we were able to trust the data and strike formwork confidently, saving valuable programme time without compromising quality. The long-range capability made a real difference on a large frame project like this – live data accessible across the site without signal drop-out. The reusability is an added bonus.
