Table of Contents
In this article, we will discuss concrete sensors.
1. Introduction
Concrete sensors are sensors that are provided in reinforcement to measure concrete temperature and humidity.
The information gathered by sensors is recorded either utilizing a mobile application or Bluetooth connection. Concrete sensors record the real-time site temperature and the differentials of concrete to observe the maturity and strength-gain features.
2. Working of Concrete Sensors
Sensors are provided to the reinforcement in an array. These sensors collect data from the concrete and are further observed for conclusions.
There are many types of concrete sensors found in the market to accurately monitor and report the concrete’s temperature and maturity levels. In addition, they are produced in smaller sizes to resist harsh environments.
3. Types of Concrete Sensors
The selection of concrete sensors for a particular project is dependent on the cost, the precision of measurement needed, ease of use, and the return of investment (ROI) in the project. There are 4 types of concrete sensors that are as follows:
a. Concrete thermocouples
b. Wired temperature and maturity loggers
c. Wired sensors with an external wireless transmitter
d. Fully embedded wireless sensors
a. Concrete Thermocouples
It consists of two metal wires attached and rotated to make an electric junction.
The thermoelectric feature of the thermocouple emits a temperature-dependent voltage which is later estimated by utilizing external equipment. This later estimate the concrete temperature.
Concrete thermocouples are cheap to buy, but their measurement precision is low as compared to other types. The standard error limit is twice that given by ASTM C1064 (0.5 t 10C). Hence, it is not utilized for precision measurement and thermal control plans.
The management of thermocouples is not considered for harsh construction environments. So the wires coming out of the concrete required to be saved throughout the whole temperature measurement.
b. Wired Temperature and Maturity Loggers
This device contains a temperature logger having a self-contained circuit board attached to the concrete.
The logger gathers the data and provides it to a wired handheld device. The final information is then given to the computer for analyzing and calculating the results.
c. Wired Sensors with External Wireless Transmitter
In commercial systems, the ends of wires utilized for thermocouples or wired sensors can be attached to a wireless system or wireless transmitter. This wireless transmitter eases the direct transfer of data to the cloud or local hub, where the project managers or superintendents can get notifications, even if they are not onsite.
This system has certain use where cell network connectivity is not present. In addition to this, the complex system of wires, external transmitters, and local hub installation is very hard.
d. Fully Embedded Wireless
By the advancements in electronics and wireless technologies, self-contained wireless concrete sensors to get the best of the disadvantages of the above-mentioned sensors were developed.
These wireless sensors and loggers are fully kept in concrete. The measured temperature data is collected in the sensor and transferred through various communication protocols like Bluetooth, LE, LoRa, Wi-Fi, etc.
4. Selection of Concrete Sensors
a. The installation of concrete sensors should be easy.
b. It should be reusable.
c. The method by which the data is gathered and envisioned should be accurate.
d. The method of data analysis can be automatic or manual.
e. The cost of sensor or cost per monitoring.
5. Uses of Concrete Sensors
a. To know what exactly is happening in their concrete
b. To know the temperature and humidity of concrete.
c. To study the properties of concrete placed.
6. Advantages of Concrete Sensors
a. It provides accurate temperature and humidity of concrete.
b. Collect and shows real-time data.
c. It can be easily operated.
d. The data collected can be downloaded on mobile through Bluetooth, WiFi.
7. Disadvantages of Concrete Sensors
a. It is expensive to buy.
b. Not applicable when the climate is hot.
c. Skilled manpower is needed.
| Read Also: Lean Concrete |
