TECHNOLOGY

Initial Testing at Curtin University Confirms Safecrete Accuracy

December 1, 2025

Safecrete Technology completed initial testing of its shotcrete monitoring solution at Curtin University's Western Australian School of Mines (WASM), working alongside Professor Ernesto Villaescusa.

Over two days of laboratory testing using real mine site batch mix designs and materials, Safecrete achieved 95%+ R² correlation between predicted and actual uniaxial compressive strength measurements — providing early confidence that the maturity method approach delivers accurate results for mining applications.

The testing programme used authentic materials from operational mine sites under controlled laboratory conditions, giving Safecrete a solid foundation for continued development and field deployment.

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R² correlation achieved

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real mine site materials tested

Building Confidence in the Technology

Before taking the product to field trials, Safecrete needed to confirm that the maturity method approach could deliver accurate strength predictions using real mining materials and formulations.

Testing Objectives

  • Confirm that temperature-based maturity models correlate with actual uniaxial compressive strength when tested with real mine site batch mixes.

  • Generate initial maturity curves for representative shotcrete formulations under controlled conditions.

  • Achieve sufficient correlation (R² > 0.90) to justify progressing to underground field trials.

Testing Outcomes

  • Achieved 95%+ R² correlation between predicted and measured strength values using real mine site materials.

  • Successfully generated maturity curves across multiple batch mix designs from operational mine sites.

  • Results provided confidence to proceed with field trials at underground mining operations.

Testing at WASM

Western Australian School of Mines

Safecrete conducted initial testing at Curtin University's WASM facility, working with Professor Ernesto Villaescusa. WASM's laboratory equipment and Professor Villaescusa's expertise in underground mining geomechanics provided a credible environment for evaluating the maturity method approach. The two-day programme focused on generating baseline data and confirming the fundamental accuracy of the temperature-to-strength prediction model.

Testing at Curtin University WASM facility

Testing with Real Mine Materials

The testing programme used authentic batch mix designs and materials sourced from operational mine sites rather than generic laboratory mixes. Test specimens were prepared with Safecrete's temperature monitoring sensors embedded during casting, with continuous temperature data captured throughout the curing period. Physical uniaxial compressive strength tests at defined intervals provided the ground truth data needed to calibrate maturity curves and assess prediction accuracy.

Shotcrete testing with mine site materials at WASM

Encouraging Results

The 95%+ R² correlation achieved during the testing programme gave Safecrete confidence that the maturity method, when properly calibrated for specific shotcrete formulations, can deliver accurate strength predictions for mining applications. While laboratory conditions differ from underground environments, the results demonstrated that the fundamental technology works and justified progressing to field trials at operating mine sites.

Safecrete sensor testing results at WASM

Foundation for Field Deployment

The WASM testing programme provided Safecrete with an important early data point — confirming that the maturity method approach delivers promising accuracy with real mining materials under controlled conditions.

These initial results informed the design of subsequent field trial programmes at underground mining operations, where the technology could be tested under actual operational conditions.

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Safecrete Documentation