Digital Tools Are Improving Building Integrity And Maintenance
Most buildings are designed to last fifty years or more on average, but their actual lifespan often comes down to how well they’re maintained. Around a quarter of all building damage is the result of them being poorly cared for, a new article in the Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation reveals. On top of that, 20% of the damage happens because components are used beyond their expected lifespan. It’s not always easy to spot issues early as manual inspections and records make it difficult to track component health and identify problems in time. But now tech like RFID tags, QR codes, and sensors make it possible to spot condition changes as they happen. Digital twins then bring this data into one live model, so engineers can see how the whole building’s doing in real time.
How building components get identified and tracked
RFID tags and QR codes give structural components a digital identity that stays with them throughout their life. Engineers and facility managers can then look at their laptop or phone to get up to date information about each component’s condition and history. QR codes have to be scanned but RFID tags are read wirelessly with any handheld device or reader. This scan gives you the component’s ID which is linked to its complete digital record. Material specifications, when the component was installed, and its inspection history is all stored in a central system. This makes it easy to track and maintain individual components over time.
Sensors help monitor structural health
These ID systems can also work with sensors to actually monitor the health of each component. Different sensors do different jobs and you can use multiple ones together to get a better picture of what’s going on within a building. Strain gauges measure how much a component has deformed under heavy load, and inclinometers, for example, detect whether there’s been any tilting over time. There’s also vibration sensors that measure vibration or general movement. So you’ll know if a component shifts or moves in a way it shouldn’t. All this data can tell you whether components are healthy or slowly deteriorating.
In one study, RFID sensors measured moisture levels in reinforced concrete. They remained functional for over 1000 days, which means they’re reliable enough to be put to use in the real world. The researchers inferred changes in the moisture levels by looking at changes in the RFID signal strength. If these changes are detected early on then the concrete can be reinforced before more expensive water damage happens. But RFID doesn’t have to be actually embedded in the component to work as it can also be put in asset tags. RFID-enabled asset tags can be attached to components externally and scanned on site, which makes it easy to identify parts and monitor their health.
Digital twins make maintenance easier
RFID and QR can also integrate with building information modeling systems, or BIM, which put all information about a building and its structural components onto a single digital platform. This creates a digital twin, which is basically a digital replica of the component that uses the sensor data to show how the component is holding up in real life. This means engineers and facility managers can actually see on the screen what’s happening to the building in real time and no longer have to wait for scheduled inspections. Building maintenance is expensive and even accounts for 75%-80% of a building’s total lifecycle costs. Digital tools prevent minor issues from developing into expensive repairs and therefore make it easier to keep these costs down.
Technology has made it easier to track components and keep buildings healthy. This helps improve safety and reduce long-term maintenance costs over time.
