Concrete Strength Sensing Using REBEL Sensors

Details

• Creators:
  Hossain, Mohammad I. ; Soltani, Matthew ; Tisdale, Tessa N. ; Poulos, Benjamin
• Corporate Creators:
  Illinois Center for Transportation
• Corporate Contributors:
  Illinois Department of Transportation. Bureau of Research ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Piezoelectric materials
  • Sensors
  • Laboratory tests
  • Data collection
  • Flexural strength
  • Monitoring
  • Transportation planning
  • Infrastructure
  • Strength of materials
  • Quality assurance
  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA-ICT-26-016 ; ICT-26-018 ; UILU-2026-2018
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/26-018
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Illinois
• Edition:
  Final Report 9/1/25-9/30/26
• Corporate Publisher:
  Illinois Center for Transportation
• Description:
  This study evaluated the use of Resonance-Based Embedded Layer (REBEL) sensors as a nondestructive technology for real-time monitoring of in-place concrete strength in transportation infrastructure. The objective was to assess the accuracy, reliability, and field applicability of REBEL sensors relative to conventional laboratory testing methods used for quality assurance. Six field projects involving bridge decks, pavement patches, and pavement reconstruction across Illinois were instrumented with embedded REBEL sensors and companion laboratory specimens. Conventional laboratory testing, including compressive strength and flexural strength, was conducted in accordance with applicable ASTM and/or Illinois Modified AASHTO standards, and sensor predictions were compared with laboratory measurements using graphical and statistical analyses. The results demonstrated that REBEL sensors were able to predict concrete strength development during curing. According to the regression analysis, the increase in strength in laboratory-cured samples and in field concrete is proportional. However, the Bland-Altman analysis showed that the difference between laboratory-cured samples and field concrete increases logarithmically as the concrete ages. Although several field deployment challenges, including damaged data loggers and intermittent communication issues, were encountered, these operational issues were resolved and did not significantly affect the overall evaluation of the technology. The findings indicate that REBEL sensors provide a practical means of continuously monitoring in-place concrete strength, though a strong correlation between sensor-measured data and laboratory test data could not be established, suggesting the need for more rigorous investigation. The deployment procedures, implementation recommendations, and lessons learned presented in this report can assist transportation agencies and contractors in implementing embedded sensing technology to improve construction quality assurance, reduce testing costs, support earlier construction decisions, and enhance project efficiency.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  R27-SP78
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/93566/dot_93566_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.78 MB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a4c90511c82eae9ba325224976828c6cfe4155a5fd0a19d4c9e4586e342a9eddd01cfc29543fac663afc023aad501f348726ee2befe42d325538e2bba6d341c4