The use of data and analytics has permeated all aspects of construction, and concrete is no exception. The value of data and information is really showing itself in this industry.
“For more than a decade, concrete contractors have been using sensors to collect data about the characteristics of concrete during the early stages of placement,” says Stuart Galloway, President, Canadian Concrete Expo. “Now, due to the collection of all this data and to the presence of automation, these technologies are reaching the point where they can be used to predict concrete characteristics/performance.”
“Venture capital is pouring into automation and other digital technologies,” says Aali Alizadeh, Chief Product Officer, Giatec. “Our sensors have been used in more than 4,000 projects worldwide. We are gathering more and more data on concrete temperature and strengths. From these 4,000 projects, we have tens of thousands of sensors that are collecting information that adds up to millions of data points. And we looked at these data points to see how we can generate new insight and new information about concrete that wasn’t available in the past.”
All the data—from a quality control prospective—is scattered and isolated in different projects, but now Giatec says they have the luxury of having everything in one place. Whether it’s a high-rise, bridge or mass concrete pour in a hot or cold climate, they can overlay all of this sensor data and generate new insights on concrete curing using machine learning algorithms.
