Wide speed range concrete monitoring calibration

A method for concrete monitoring calibration using a processor-controlled system and a delivery mixer truck mixer drum, comprising:

• (A) monitoring concrete provided in the mixer drum by measuring, while the concrete is in a state of equilibrium, the energy (“E1”) associated with rotating the concrete at a first constant speed (“V1”) and energy (“E2”) associated with rotating the concrete at a second constant speed (“V2”) after a speed jump of plus or minus at least 2.5 rotations per minute (RPM);
• (B) calculating a slump value (“S”) for the provided concrete based on E1, V1, E2, and V2;
• (C) comparing E1, V1, E2, V2, and S as calculated from step (B) with at least two data curves stored in processor-accessible memory, the stored data curves defining an E/V/S relationship for purposes of calculating slump across drum speed ranges of 0.5 RPM-6 RPM and 6 RPM-20 RPM, the at least two stored data curves comprising data obtained from previous deliveries of concrete when the previous concrete was in a state of equilibrium and comprising energy (E) values measured before and after at least 2.5 RPM jumps in constant drum speed (V) and slump values (S) as calculated from the previously stored E and V data, whereby the process-controlled system determines whether any of the at least two stored data curves match the E1, V1, E2, V2, and S values of the provided concrete;
• and
• (D) monitoring the slump of the provided concrete in the mixer drum by calculating slump through measurement of the energy associated with rotating the concrete
• (i) within 0.5 RPM-6 RPM and within 6 RPM-20 RPM drum speed ranges, based on one of the at least two stored data curves which is determined to constitute a match in step (C), and providing a visual indication that slump is being calculated by the system for drum speeds higher than 6 RPM;
• or
• (ii) within the 0.5 RPM-6 RPM range only, if none of the stored curve data is determined to constitute a match in Step (C), and initiating an alert to a system operator or the truck driver, or dispatch center, that the system is active only for monitoring at drum speeds below 6 RPM.