Handling Big Data in the Construction Industry

Big data in construction comes from two primary sources. Business documents such as plans, specs, contracts and regulations make up one bucket, and physical data collected by drones, stationary or handheld recording devices and, increasingly, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, are the other.

AI apps apply a technology called machine learning, which allows them to glean insights directly from data to make more accurate determinations and predictions. This advancement has significantly expanded AI’s capabilities.

A unique use case for AI was announced this past April by Ottawa-based Giatec Scientific Inc. The firm designs and manufactures specialized IoT sensors that are installed in concrete and report real-time information on variables such as curing status and strength through a cloud-based interface.

“We’re now getting that data on a worldwide basis, and nobody has been able to collect this much data from concrete quality and performance in one place,” says Aali Alizadeh, Giatec’s co-founder and chief product officer. “So with millions of data points collected from SmartRock sensors in different jobsites, it was time to move to the next step and generate even more value from big data and give that value back to the end users.”

Collaborating with the Montreal Institute of Learning Algorithms (MILA), the Giatec team developed a machine learning app nicknamed Roxi. The big leap is that Roxi can make useful predictions, such as how strong concrete will be in the days after the pour, what impact temperature and other conditions are likely to have, where anomalies exist in concrete curing and hardening, or when heaters can safely be turned off to save energy.

Roxi is also integrated with the construction management app Procore through that company’s open API. “Project managers deal with a lot of information to optimize their schedules, and our sensors are one piece of the puzzle,” says Alizadeh, “With the integration, they don’t have to leave the dashboard if they want to see the sensor data and open our app. They can get automated notifications and alerts as well.”

Related Press Coverage

Giatec Reduces Sensor Calibration Time with Automatic Concrete Mix Detection: The SmartRock Pro Self-Calibrating Sensor

From weather conditions, scheduling issues, or even last-minute changes to your mix order and delivery, since you never know what changes will come your way on the concrete construction site Giatec wanted to update their SmartRock maturity sensor to provide concrete contractors savings. SmartRock Pro is designed to take all fluctuations in stride by self-calibrating to cut costs, save time, and fight construction waste from break tests.   SmartRock® Pro Launch is Here!Watch this video on YouTube Access the full article here.

Optimizing the Planning of Your Mass Concrete Pour with Thermal Modeling, a Feature of the Giatec 360 Platform

Giatec’s Thermal Modeling feature on the Giatec 360 platform was developed to help predict the maximum concrete temperature and temperature differential of mass concrete.Thermal Modeling is a comprehensive solution for engineers, general contractors, and ready-mix producers. The feature allows users with mass concrete elements to experiment with different inputs and produce forecast scenarios outlining the anticipated behavior of the concrete temperature at various depths. User-friendly and intuitive, it was built with customers in mind and intended to work independently of SmartRock sensors.Thermal Modeling requires no specialized…

Giatec Scientific Raises $5M in Funding from BDC Capital’s Cleantech Practice

Giatec Scientific Inc., an Ottawa, Canada-based cleantech company, raised $5M in funding.BDC Capital’s Cleantech Practice made the investment.The company intends to use the funds for its expansion into international markets and innovation in CO2-reducing technology, moving the concrete industry toward carbon neutrality.To access the full article, click here.

Claim Your Free Demo Kit

Get Your First SmartRock Concrete Sensor for FREE

Get Real-Time Data with SmartRock®

See how it works today

We use cookies to provide you with a better experience, analyze site traffic and assist in our marketing efforts. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy Page.