Sensing device, and systems and methods for obtaining data relating to concrete mixtures and concrete structures
A system includes at least one sensing device located within a structure being built as part of a construction project. The sensing device obtains measurements relating to a first characteristic of concrete of the structure and transmits the data wirelessly. The system also includes a memory, and a processor adapted to receive the data from the sensing devices, determine a second characteristic of the concrete based on the data, and generate a schedule of activities based on the second characteristic. The schedule may be a project schedule specifying tasks associated with the construction project. The processor is also adapted to cause at least one activity to be performed based on the schedule of activities.
1. A method comprising:
inserting a plurality of sensing devices into a plurality of different first concrete structures that form a second structure associated with a construction project, wherein each sensing device comprises:
a shell surrounding and defining a volume inside the sensing device; and
a plate disposed in the volume, the plate comprising at least one sensor adapted to obtain measurements relating to one or more first characteristics of concrete within a respective first concrete structure and transmit data relating to the measurements wirelessly;
for each of the plurality of different first concrete structures, performing a plurality of steps including:
receiving first data relating to a selected characteristic among the one or more first characteristics of the concrete within the respective first concrete structure from at least one of the plurality of sensing devices; and
determining a first prediction of at least one second characteristic of the respective first concrete structure based on the first data;
determining a second prediction of the at least one second characteristic for the second structure by determining a volume average value based on a plurality of first predictions determined for the plurality of different first concrete structures;
generating a schedule of activities associated with the construction project based on the plurality of first predictions and the second prediction of the second characteristic, wherein the schedule of activities includes a plurality of tasks and a plurality of dates, each respective task being associated with a respective date;
storing the schedule of activities associated with the construction project in a database;
receiving second data relating to the one or more first characteristics of the concrete within the plurality of different first concrete structures from the plurality of sensing devices;
determining a third prediction of the at least one second characteristic for the plurality of different first concrete structures based on the second data;
adjusting a first date and a second date among the plurality of dates of the schedule of activities based on the third prediction; and
performing the plurality of tasks in accordance with the schedule of activities.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more first characteristics include one of a temperature measurement, a pH measurement, an inductance measurement, an impedance measurement, a resistivity measurement, a sonic measurement, a pressure measurement, and a conductivity measurement.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving the data from the plurality of sensing devices via wireless transmission.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises a first portion and a second portion joined to the first portion.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each sensing device further comprises:
a radio frequency identification tag adapted to transmit identification information.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second characteristic includes one of strength, maturity, and slump.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:
the at least one second characteristic comprises strength; the method further comprising:
determining, in real time, a first prediction of the strength of at least one of the plurality of different first concrete structures based on the first data; and
determining, in real time, a second prediction of the strength of the at least one of the plurality of different first concrete structures based on the second data.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the schedule of activities specifies a start time and a finish time for a selected task.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
adjusting one of the start time and the finish time based on the second characteristic.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the start time relates to one of: pouring concrete, constructing walls, installing electrical, installing plumbing, and painting.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the finish time relates to one of: pouring concrete, utilization of forms, constructing walls, installing electrical, installing plumbing, and painting.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first concrete structures are structural elements of a level of a building and the second structure is the level of the building.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the structural elements of a level of a building are walls, pillars, ceilings, or floors of the level of the building.