Integrated System for Concrete Curing Monitoring: RFID and Optical Fiber Technologies

Abstract

The literature review on existing technologies shows uncertainties in the performance of a single system for concrete curing monitoring. The project presented in this paper developed an integrated system by analyzing combined measurements of radio frequency identification (RFID) and optical fibers. Laboratory development/testing of this integrated system examined its performance. RFID tags and single-mode optical fiber cabling were embedded into seven concrete sample cylinders. Results verified that stability of RFID tag readability range and single-mode optical fiber cabling output power maintained well over a span of 28 days. Performance of this proposed system was successfully tested because both systems reached stability in the same period. For RFID signal measurements, the readability range of the tags was 1.15–2.37 m. The optical fiber system had an output power variation of 0.01 in two samples. This preliminary test demonstrated the potential of the system.