IoT-Enabled Real-Time Monitoring System for Plastic Shrinkage of Concrete

When exposed to hot and dry weather, concrete slabs and pavements frequently develop plastic shrinkage cracks. Such cracks have an influence on the quality and durability of concrete infrastructure, which is a cause of concern for the concrete construction sector. Existing methods for monitoring plastic shrinkage on the job site are inconvenient for the construction industry and are rarely used because they are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. This research proposes two unique, cost-effective, and easily deployable IoT-enabled smart prototype systems for real-time monitoring of plastic shrinkage. Existing codes and standards advocate monitoring plastic shrinkage merely based on evaporation rate, ignoring the critical aspect of “bleed water status.” Accordingly, the first system is developed considering the evaporation rate, in accordance with ACI 305R standards. The novelty of the present research is the design of the second system, which considers the bleed water status to monitor plastic shrinkage. The combination of the first and second systems, as well as cloud communication, allows for precise monitoring in real-time without the need for human intervention from any remote location. Laboratory tests on three sets of concrete specimens demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed systems.