"Concremote makes concrete smarter"
In our interview with Oliver Gusella, Managing Director of Vasko+Partner, we discussed the increasing importance and benefits of digital solutions for the efficient execution of complex construction projects.
Vasko+Partner is one of the largest engineering companies in Austria, offering a comprehensive range of services. The general consultant's philosophy is to advise his clients far beyond the completion of a project. Economic efficiency, cost certainty, the highest quality and perfect time management are the essential cornerstones. c
This is the case at the MedUni Campus Mariannengasse in Vienna, where a state-of-the-art location for medical research and teaching is being built. Vasko+Partner is responsible for site supervision. The project covers an area of around 35,000 m² and will provide space for around 2,000 medical students and 750 employees of the Medical University of Vienna.
In order to ensure an efficient process during the shell construction phase, MD Oliver Gusella recommended the use of digital solutions from Doka, in particular Concremote concrete monitoring. In this interview, Gusella, who was born in South Tyrol, tells us what added value he expects and what he thinks in general of sensor technology on the construction site.
How does digitalisation affect your work in planning and executing complex construction projects?
Oliver Gusella (OG): Digital solutions facilitate collaboration and promote value creation on the construction site. As a general contractor, we are pleased to be able to help shape the digital construction site of the future, and we appreciate having found a competent partner in Doka, with whose solutions we have already had very good experience.
Vasko+Partner managing director Oliver Gusella (1st from left) with Gerstl foreman Martin Stadler, site manager Raphael Kloiber and Helmut Schnabl (Doka).
How do digital solutions add value to the management of construction processes?
OG: The data generated by sensors helps to optimise processes and reduce disruptions in the construction process with a view to on-time execution. This means that the planned services can be well documented and implemented with quality assurance through the data, which represents significant added value for all parties involved.
What are the specific challenges of large-scale projects such as the MedUni Campus Mariannengasse? And how does digitalisation help to overcome them?
OG: When 600 to 800 people are involved in a project, targeted, data-supported communication and precise documentation are essential. For the MedUni Campus Mariannengasse, one of the largest inner-city projects with a high proportion of civil engineering, we proactively recommended the use of Concremote in order to exploit scheduling optimisation potential for the client and to promote goal-oriented cooperation with the executing partners.
What specific improvements were achieved?
OG: The transparent documentation of the early strength development enabled the contractors to reduce the cycle time, which was particularly beneficial for a four-storey underground structure. The accurate measurement data allowed us to determine the optimum time for the next phase of construction, especially when excavating and digging under the slab structures. This provided a transparent documentation system for the contractor and client. This also supported quality assurance, as premature or uncontrolled stripping can have a negative impact on the reinforced concrete structure.
In your opinion, how will the use of digital technologies affect the future development of construction sites and sustainable construction methods?
OG: It's fair to say that ‘Concremote makes concrete smarter’. That's because sensors make concrete more intelligent. Digital solutions like Concremote help to minimise the waste of resources and thus promote more sustainable construction. The availability of transparent measurement data encourages the development and use of CO2-reduced concrete mixes that have a lower impact on the climate. I am convinced that sensors like Concremote will make a valuable contribution to the sustainable construction of reinforced concrete structures.
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