A new U.S. patent on "Methods and Apparatus for Measuring Properties of Concrete" (U.S. Patent No. 7,289,916, October 30, 2007) is based on research by Prof. Vincent Drnevich and former student, Prof. Xiong Yu (now on the faculty of Case Western Reserve University).  It makes use of time domain reflectometry (TDR) to determine the electrical properties of concrete which, along with temperature, relate to the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete as it cures.

This patent is the fifth U.S. Patent on TDR technologies obtained by Prof. Drnevich and his students. The previous four were on applications to soils.

Prof. Drnevich is currently working with one of Prof. Jan Olek's doctoral students, Adam Rudy, who is using TDR in connection with his concrete pavement mixture optimization project.  Prof. Julio Ramirez's doctoral student, Kurt Henkhaus, is also working with professors Drnevich and Olek on exploring the use of TDR for assessing the chloride ions penetration resistance of concrete.

This method was used in monitoring the curing of concrete placed in the floors of the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering during construction.