Extending BIM Interoperability for Real-Time Concrete Formwork Process Monitoring

Abstract

The concrete formwork process is a critical component of construction project control because failing to gain the necessary concrete strength can lead to reworks and, consequently, project delays and cost overruns during the project’s execution. The goal of this study is to develop a novel method of monitoring the maturity of concrete and providing reduced formwork removal time with the strength ensured in real-time. This method addresses the wireless sensors and building information modeling (BIM) needed to help project management personnel monitor the concrete’s status and efficiently decide on the appropriate formwork removal timing. Previous studies have focused only on the monitoring of concrete’s status using sensor data or planning the formwork layout by integrating the BIM environment into the design process. This study contributes to extending BIM’s interoperability for monitoring concrete’s maturity in real-time during construction, as well as determining the formwork removal time for project control. A case study was conducted at a building construction project to validate the developed framework. It was concluded that BIM can interoperate with the data collected from sensors embedded in concrete, and that this system can reduce formwork removal time while retaining sufficient strength in the concrete, rather than adhering to the removal time given in building code standards.

Building Information Modelling and Internet of Things Integration for Facility Management—Literature Review and Future Needs

“…On the other hand, Hamooni et al (2020) [80] proposed a method that uses BIM interoperability and wireless sensors to monitor concrete maturity and control the concrete formwork process. BIM allows for the calculation of formwork removal time based on the maturity and strength data collected from sensors inside the concrete.…”

Application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Health Monitoring and Maintenance Process: A Systematic Review

“…The concrete formwork process is the main part of construction management because any defects therein can lead to damage in structural elements; therefore, studies have considered BIM for concrete formwork design and monitoring by ignoring the maturity of concrete during the formwork time [ 251 , 252 ]. However, researchers have developed a method of BIM interoperability for controlling and monitoring concrete formwork problems [ 253 ]. This method reduced the required time before formworks could be removed by approximately 40%, by preserving concrete’s strength at a convenient level.…”

An IoT device for striking of vertical concrete formwork

“…As indicated earlier the implementation of the maturity method at the construction site and monitoring the compressive strength in real-time is a challenging task. Published literature (Reddy and Richardson, 2008; Yoon et al , 2017; Lim et al , 2018; Hamooni et al , 2020; John et al , 2020) shows many attempts to bring automation in the implementation of the maturity method. However, none of these studies has considered the problem of minimum striking time specifically.…”