Preliminary evaluation of MEMS devices for early age concrete property monitoring

Early age concrete properties and strength gain are mainly related to the hydration of cement and moisture transfer. In this paper we will present a new technique that is currently under development for monitoring concrete setting and hardening. The new monitoring technique consists of embedding MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) devices into concrete during construction to wirelessly monitor certain key parameters affecting the early age behavior of concrete structures such as in-place strength and shrinkage stresses. To test the feasibility of the proposed devices in monitoring temperature, moisture and early age shrinkage stresses as well as to evaluate their durability when embedded into concrete, experimental tests were performed and preliminary results are presented in this paper.