Automation of Curing Using Prefabricated Sensors

Abstract

Curing is one of the universal phenomena followed after casting and finishing of concrete over an extended period of time, which helps to develop the compressive strength and durability by maintaining an optimum moisture and temperature condition. It keeps the concrete hydrated, restricts volumetric shrinkage, provides resistance to abrasion, freezing and thawing. There are many ways to cure concrete but, in this article, discussion will be on automation of curing using IoT and moisture sensors and relays which will likely replicate the lab condition on site by maintaining constant moisture content in concrete by supplying required amount of water. Generally, on site the curing process is carried out for 6–7 days once or twice a day at a large interval as a result of which the free moisture content falls and the rate of hydration decreases. It results in poor compressive strength and durability compared with laboratory samples because the 7 days compressive strength is not achieved which is more important than that of 28 days compressive strength which is successfully achieved in the lab. Various technologies used in this article will help in real-time monitoring of concrete condition with ease which will further be beneficial for the construction industry. This paper will cover how these technologies are integrated to automate the whole process, and its effect on compressive strength of concrete for which a consistent mix of M20, M25, M30 was prepared to compare the result of strength of concrete at 3, 7 and 28 days of curing in three different conditions, giving the strength of in-situ automatically cured concrete sample similar to that of laboratory cured concrete sample and an increase in 16.09% of compressive strength was observed with respect to concrete cured manually in site conditions. © 2021, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.