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Chung-Ang University Researchers Develop Smart Portable Sensing System for Monitoring Precast Structures During Delivery

The multimetric portable system uses an IoT sensor to simultaneously measure strain and acceleration of the structures real-time during delivery.

Precast concrete structures (PCS) reduce workforce dependency and construction time. However, they are subjected to vibrations and strain during transport from their manufacturing site to the construction site. Effective quality control measures require continuous logging of vibration and strain measurement during the delivery, an essential feature that is missing in current systems. To this end, researchers have now developed a novel portable sensing system that can monitor strain and acceleration to enable efficient PCS delivery.

Image Title: A smart portable delivery monitoring system for real time tracking of precast structures.

Image Caption: In a recent study, Chung-Ang University researchers develop a novel IoT-based sensing system that can detect vibrations and deformations in precast structures during delivery and reports events during transportation that could potentially impact their quality.

Image Credit: Dr. Jongwoong Park from Chung-Ang University, Korea

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Precast structures are like giant lego blocks made of concrete that are manufactured in a factory to enable seamless construction at a building site. Modern urban construction projects rely heavily on precast concrete structures (PCS) for a quality and timely completion. PCS are manufactured in a controlled environment that ensures the highest quality. However, during delivery to the construction site, they can be damaged by shocks and imbalanced loads during lifting that make them unstable. Sometimes, the damage can go unnoticed during on-site construction. However, this can lead to a potentially dangerous situation over time. Moreover, high replacement costs and long downtimes make remedial measures ineffective. “We have seen multiple instances of damage during transportation; we are, therefore, working on a solution to address this issue using an IoT sensing system to monitor PCS during delivery,” notes Associate Professor Jongwoong Park from Chung-Ang University, who has been actively researching on Internet of Things (IoT) sensor systems.

To this end, Dr. Park and his colleagues at Chung-Ang University recently developed a smart sensing system to monitor PCS during transportation in real time. The system integrates IoT sensors that detect vibrations and deformations during movement. In a recent article published in Automation in Construction, the researchers detailed the development of this specialized IoT-based sensing system. The paper was made available online on 16 November 2022 and was published in Volume 145 of the journal in 01 January 2023.

“We have enhanced the portability of the sensing system and have created a method for monitoring the deformation of precast structures during lifting and transportation. This system can help prevent any damage that may occur during transportation, ensuring a safe and sound delivery,” explains Dr. Park.

The novel portable wireless sensing system is capable of real-time recording of acceleration and strain measurement during transport. Moreover, the system generates a safety assessment report for PCS that adjusts initial strain offset and calculates the absolute strain. To demonstrate the capabilities of their smart system, the researchers further conducted a field test constituting an 80-minute delivery of a 12-meters long precast concrete beam and evaluated its condition by measuring the acceleration, tilts, and strain of the structure in real time. Further, the researchers processed and analyzed the measured data and conducted a safety assessment.

Interestingly, while the results indicate that the sensing system was effective for precast monitoring, the system does not allow for timely decisions by supporting real-time data management. In this regard, future research is required towards developing a cloud-based monitoring system that can alert users of anomalies in real time.

Nevertheless, the novel development by the team has potential for immediate smart delivery monitoring applications in construction projects. “With our IoT-based precast monitoring system, we can ensure the long-term safety and reliability of precast structures. This technology will prevent such issues from occurring, making our buildings safer and more efficient in the future,” concludes an optimistic Dr. Park.

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Chung-Ang University

About Chung-Ang University

Chung-Ang University is a private comprehensive research university located in Seoul, South Korea. It was started as a kindergarten in 1916 and attained university status in 1953. It is fully accredited by the Ministry of Education of Korea. Chung-Ang University conducts research activities under the slogan of “Justice and Truth.” Its new vision for completing 100 years is “The Global Creative Leader.” Chung-Ang University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, which encompass a law school, management program, and medical school; it has 16 undergraduate and graduate schools each. Chung-Ang University’s culture and arts programs are considered the best in Korea.

Website: https://neweng.cau.ac.kr/index.do

About Associate Professor Jongwoong Park

Jongwoong Park is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Chung-Ang University in Korea since 2021, having previously served as an Assistant Professor at the same institute from 2017. Dr. Park earned his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from KAIST, Korea in structural health monitoring using IoT and computer vision. He has published over 40 research papers and holds 15 patents related to structural health monitoring. His research interests include IoT, deep learning, sensor development, and cloud computing.

CAU Scholar's Space: https://scholarworks.bwise.kr/cau/researcher-profile?ep=1007

About Sadia Umer Khayam

Sadia Umer Khayam is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. degree in civil & Environmental engineering, Chung-Ang University, South Korea. Her research interests are finite element modeling, structural health monitoring.