Implementing RFID Technology in Quality Inspection and Management of Dam Construction

MAJROUHI SARDROUD, JAVAD; BROMHEAD, EDWARD N.; ABBASIAN SHOJAEI, ALI

Although the collection of a detailed, accurate and sufficient volume of information,and subsequent timely delivery are vital for effective quality control and management in dam construction, existing methods for material and specimen tests and laboratory activities are manually reliant on the human recourse to paper and pencil. Data collected using manual methods are time and labour-intensive. They are also errorprone due to the reluctance of workers to monitor and record the flow of large quantities of tests. This study investigates an automated approach, which deals with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) facilitated quality management system. The proposed system focuses on the gathering, monitoring, managing, and sharing of accurate data amongst all participants and also in the material test laboratory. In this research, the need for a new coding system is highlighted in which RFID tagging has to be taken into consideration. In order to automate the task of specimen identificationand quality data collection in any laboratory activity, each RFID tag is equipped with a unique Electronic Specimen and Test Code (ESTC). An ESTC is used as a specimen and test identity code, which forms the base of reports and contains related information for a particular specimen and test. The system provides latest updates of certain quality test data flow with greater accuracy in a timely manner to make effective decision, and at a low cost.