Conceptual Framework for Tracking Metallic Formworks on Construction Sites Using IoT, RFID and BIM Technologies

Abstract

The difficulty in tracking physical resources at the construction site causes problems in the information flow required for better management and quality control. The integrated use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies can enable tracking and improve construction site-related processes. Specifically, there is a lack of studies regarding the tracking of metallic formworks during the execution phase of the cast in place concrete wall constructive system, in which quality issues often imply rework and delays. The main objective of this paper is to design a conceptual framework for tracking physical resources at construction sites using BIM, IoT, and RFID, in which the metallic formworks are the object of study. This study is based on a Systematic Literature Review, which was conducted to identify requirements to connect the concepts and technologies in the conceptual framework and to develop an integrated system that uses the aforementioned technologies. Moreover, a preliminary proposal of an integrated system associating the RFID tags with the ID of equivalent virtual elements in BIM and storing information from the formworks in a database, which communicates with the virtual model, was presented. The conceptual framework and the preliminary proposal will be used for the design of the system prototype for future implementation in real construction environments.