Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467 – 479

www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon

Enhancing construction quality inspection and management

using RFID technology
Lung-Chuang Wang
Department of Civil Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, No.1.Chung-Hsiao E. Rd., Sec. 3, Taipei, Taiwan
Accepted 7 August 2007

Abstract

Existing methods for tracking and managing the inspection in material test labs utilize manual recording by paper-based documents. However,
information collected using such labor-intensive methods is unreliable and ineffective when managing inspection results. Moreover, inputting,
retrieving, analyzing and disseminating the result data instantaneously require a significant amount of time and effort. Therefore, an automated and
user-friendly quality management system is necessary. This study proposes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based quality management
system, which functions as a platform for gathering, filtering, managing, monitoring and sharing quality data. The integration of promising
information technologies such as RFID technology, mobile devices (PDAs) and web portals can help enhance the effectiveness and flexibility of
information flow in material test management. Radio frequency identification is suited to various construction applications and generates cost
savings via increased speed and accuracy of data entry. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an RFID-based quality management
application called the RFID-based Quality Inspection and Management (RFID-QIM) System for concrete specimen inspection and management to
enhance automated data collection and information management in a quality test lab. This study focuses mainly on evaluating the potential for
utilizing RFID-based techniques to accumulate, manage, monitor and distribute data related to quality. Additionally, the RFID-QIM system is then
applied to a case study in a test lab (construction division) in Taiwan to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in information
management for concrete specimen quality testing. A generic system architecture is also proposed, and its implementation is described.
© 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Quality management; Information management; RFID; Mobile; Portal; PDA

1. Introduction
Effective and efficient quality management may be needed
when attempting to complete projects within the project budget
and deadlines. With the advent of the Internet, web-based
information management solutions have facilitated information
distribution and information sharing among participants. Engi-
neers and lab staff members generally require access to docu-
ment-based quality test reports in order to test for quality and
conditions in test labs. Existing approaches for tracking and
managing the inspection in test labs utilize manual paper-based
records. However, information collected using such labor-in-
tensive methods is unreliable and ineffective for managing
inspection results. In particular, lab staff members normally
E-mail address: lcwang@ntut.edu.tw.
0926-5805/$ - see front matter © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2007.08.005
handle various papers and/or field notes, such as test forms,
specifications, checklists and reports.
Quality inspection and management (QIM) plays an essential
role in the construction industry. Furthermore, QIM should be
an integral part to daily work in test labs, so that the system is
maintained daily, and the execution of tasks is documented.
Various lab staff members and engineers need to monitor and
assess the quality of case-based tasks. Information technology
(IT) plays a significant role in successfully controlling and
managing quality inspection, particularly by enhancing com-
munication and coordination among participants. A simple and
user-friendly system for managing and inspecting quality data
for projects would prove beneficial. A web-based platform has
significant potential to bring all participants together effectively
and efficiently in order to track and share related information.
The integration of promising information technologies, includ-
ing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanning and data
468 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479
entry mechanisms, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), can en-
hance the effectiveness and convenience of information flow in
QIM. This study develops a web-based system called RFID-
based Quality Inspection and Management (RFID-QIM) Sys-
tem for improving the acquisition of quality inspection data in
material test labs and construction sites, which facilitates infor-
mation tracking and sharing among all participants (customers)
using web technology and an RFID-enabled PDAs. Although
the concept of tracking and managing the concrete material
inspection and test data was proposed a decade ago (Jaselskis
et al. 2007), no previous studies have been conducted on the
effect and influence of inserting RFID tags inside the concrete.
Therefore, this study evaluates the application of RFID tech-
nology in quality inspection and management of concrete
specimens. Based on field tests, the work determines whether
inserting an RFID tag inside the concrete specimen influences
the strength of the specimen. Moreover, another purpose of this
work is to determine whether QIM can be enhanced and in-
stantaneously reported, monitored and controlled using the
web-based RFID-QIM system. The basic requirements of an
RFID-based QIM environment are elucidated, and the RFID-
QIM concept and system are then introduced and developed.
Finally, a case study for the RFID-QIM system is applied to a
concrete specimen in a quality test lab in Taiwan.
1.1. Problem statements
Management performance can be improved by applying IT
to share the most recent information among staff members. Two
primary aspects of information sharing are information acqui-
sition and information communication. Information acquisition
problems occur in test labs because most data and information
are obtained from test labs and central management, which are
extensions of the quality test network. The effectiveness of
information and data acquisition affects information flow be-
tween participants (customers) and the test lab. However, lab
staff members usually use written documents, menus and
specifications when working in the lab. Consequently, a time
and space gap between the test lab and participants results in
duplication of data and information, deficiencies in data and
information, and associated confusion. Furthermore, commu-
nicating with customers and participants is normally by tele-
phone or fax. Consequently, these means of communicating
information between test labs and customers, and among all
participants, are ineffective and inconvenient.
All quality data in the current QIM practice in the test lab are
fed from various construction cases into the QIM system.
However, because most construction QIM records are case-
based, certain data can help managers enhance project planning
and control. For example, the QIM data and report is needed to
obtain the latest updates for participants and customers.
Moreover, the degree of satisfaction and improvement within
a case can be measured systematically and objectively when
case-related QIM records are collated and periodically sent to
the customers.
QIM result data relevant to a case can be exchanged among
participants. This enables customers to check consultant/
contractor compliance when needed. An independent technical
auditor can log into the case-specific quality database to per-
form inspections. Conversely, a contractor can examine relevant
but non-sensitive QIM data of customers and consultants,
including payment progress and status of instructions. These
mechanisms are likely to improve the transparency of the entire
QIM process. Additionally, given proper organization of quality
records in a database, lab staff members and managers can trace
problems and suggestions, and solve them quickly.
1.2. Research objectives
The application of RFID technology to improve tracking and
managing of concrete material inspection and test data is not a
novel concept. Jaselskis and Anderson [1] applied read/write
RFID tags to attach in the surface of concrete test cylinders after
concrete test cylinders were cast. However, the impact and
influence of inserting RFID tag inside concrete has not pre-
viously been investigated. Therefore, the main objective of this
study is to evaluate the application of RFID technology as a
possible solution to quality inspection and management in con-
crete specimens. Field tests are performed to determine whether
inserting an RFID tag inside a concrete specimen influences the
strength of the specimen. Moreover, this study develops a web
portal to solve information communication problems. This sys-
tem is controlled by the lab center management, and provides
customers and suppliers with real-time, case-related, informa-
tion-tracing services, thus enabling users to respond dynamically
to all quality inspections for customers. This study develops the
RFID-based Quality Inspection and Management (RFID-QIM)
System to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness, improve
practical communication and control among participants, and
increase flexibility in terms of report delivery and response
times.
In existing approaches for tracking and managing inspection,
material test labs use paper-based manual record. However,
information obtained by such labor-intensive methods is un-
reliable and ineffective for managing inspection results. This
study develops an RFID-QIM system to facilitate easy access to
information integrating PDAs and RFID technology. Signifi-
cantly, PDAs can extend RFID-QIM systems to any location
(e.g., different floors in a test lab). Data collection efficiency can
also be enhanced using RFID-enabled PDAs to enter and edit
data. By using web technology and mobile devices, the RFID-
QIM system has significant potential for general contractors by
increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of information flow,
thereby streamlining the test operation processes.
Lab staff members frequently waste time traveling in order to
obtain information when handing each inspection in the lab.
The web portal and PDAs enable lab staff members to update
data directly from the lab, and immediately upload data to the
portal; customers and suppliers can access real-time, case-
related information to improve the decision-making process.
Relevant data in QIM to a case can be exchanged among
participants, thereby enabling customers to check inspection
results when needed. Customers and project teams can check the
relevant non-sensitive QIM data for customers and consultants,
 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479
including test progress and status of inspections. These mech-
anisms should enhance the transparency of the entire QIM
process for each case, since they allow managers to review the
compliance and quality commitment.
The quality inspection and management can be made avail-
able to customers and project teams via the web. This study
develops a mobile quality control and management system for
construction test labs. The main objectives of this study are as
follows: (1) to determine whether inserting an RFID tag into a
concrete specimen affects the strength of the specimen; (2) to
integrate RFID technology with PDA technology, thus in-
creasing the efficiency of test lab data collection; (3) to design a
web-based portal for construction quality control and manage-
ment test labs that provides real-time information and wireless
communication between customers and test labs; (4) to provide
lab staff members with updated information, accessed by an
internal supply chain lab environment , and (5) to support
project managers in monitoring and controlling the test process.
Fig. 1 illustrates the application of RFID and web technologies
in a real case for a construction material test lab center in
Taiwan. The RFID-QIM system can be utilized in any other
related labs with appropriate modifications.
2. Technology description
2.1. The application of RFID technology in construction
RFID is an automatic identification solution that streamlines
identification and data acquisition, operating similarly to bar
codes. Automatic identification procedures have recently be-
come very popular in numerous service industries for pur-
chasing and distribution logistics, and in manufacturing
Fig. 1. The application of RFID and web technologies in quality management system.
469
companies and material flow systems. Jaselskis and Anderson
[1] investigated the applications and limitations of RFID tech-
nology in the construction industry, and attached read/write
RFID tags to the surfaces of concrete test that were cast from the
job site to test lab. This RFID technology has been widely
applied in many areas in the construction industries for the
following reasons: (1) to provide owners and contractors with
information to enhance operation using RFID technology [2];
(2) to propose a novel concept of “parts and packets unified
architecture” in order to handle data or information related to a
product carried by product itself by utilizing RFID technology
[3]; (3) to apply RFID technology as a solution to problems in
pipe spools, and identify potential economic benefits from
adopting RFID technology in automated tracking [4,5]; (4) to
apply RFID combined with GIS technology in order to locate
precast concrete components with minimal worker input in the
storage yard [6]; (5) to improve the efficiency of tracing tools
and tool availability using RFID [7]; (6) to develop mobile
construction supply chain system integrated with RFID tech-
nology [8]; (7) to describe a prototype of an advanced tower
crane equipped with wireless video control and RFID tech-
nology [9], and (8) to improve tracing of material on construc-
tion using materials tagged with RFID tags [4,5].
The use of technology to improve delivery process control is
not a novel concept. Many industries have applied barcodes to
track materials for many years. Construction companies began
to examine the use of barcodes for tool management in the early
1990s. Although barcode is an established and affordable
technology, it has presented problems in the construction in-
dustry due to the short read range and poor durability of
barcodes — a barcode requires a line-of-sight, and becomes
unreadable when scratched or dirty.
470 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479
An RFID system is composed of an RFID tag and an RFID
reader. The RFID tag comprises a small microchip and an
antenna. Data are stored in the tag, generally as a unique serial
number. The RFID tags can be either passive (no battery) or
active (battery present). Active tags are more expensive than
passive tags and have a read range of 10–100 m. Passive tags
have a read range of 10 mm to approximately 5 m [10]. The vast
majority of RFID tags applied in the construction industries are
passive.
The RFID reader functions as a transmitter/receiver. The
reader transmits an electromagnetic field that “wakes up” the tag
and provides the power required for it to operate [10]. The tag
then transfers data to the reader via the antenna. This data are
then read by the RFID reader, and transferred to a Pocket PC or
computer. Unlike barcodes, RFID tags do not require line-of-
sight to be read; they only need to be within the reader's radio
range. Additionally, RFID tags, unlike barcodes, can be read
through most materials. RFID tags are shrinking, with some
measuring only 0.33 mm across. Although RFID systems can
apply different frequencies, the most common frequencies are
low (125 KHz), high (13.56 MHz) and ultra-high (UHF) (850–
900 MHz) [10].
Notably, RFID systems are one of the most anticipated
technologies that will potentially transform processes in the
engineering and construction industries. In the construction
industry, RFID technology can be utilized with PDAs, thereby
allowing staff members to integrate seamlessly work processes
at labs and sites, due to the ability to capture and carry data.
Fig. 2. Application of RFID-enabled PDA used in quality management.
With an RFID scanner plugged into a PDA, the RFID-enabled
PDA is a powerful portable data collection tool. Additionally,
RFID readings increase the accuracy and speed of information
communication, indirectly enhancing performance and produc-
tivity. Fig. 2 shows an application of an RFID-enabled PDA
used in quality management.
2.2. Using PDA on construction jobs
Various mobile devices are used in fieldwork on construction
sites. PDAs are now widely utilized in the construction industry.
The popularity of PDAs is growing rapidly, as the power and
range of applications in devices increase. The primary features
of PDAs are as follows: (1) calendar, address book, notes and
to-do lists; (2) browsing the Internet; (3) Internet access via a
modem, cell phone or wireless connection; (4) synchronizing
data between PDAs and desktop PCs, and (5) platforms for add-
on software [11,12].
The advantages of using mobile devices in the construction
industry are well documented [13–15]. Moreover, mobile de-
vices have been applied in numerous construction industries, to
provide the following support: (1) providing wearable field
inspection systems [16]; (2) supporting pen-based computer
data acquisition for recording construction surveys [17]; (3)
supporting collaborative and information-sharing platforms
[18]; (4) using mobile computers to capture data for piling
work [19], and (5) utilizing mobile devices in construction
supply chain management systems [20].
 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479
2.3. Using a portal in center portal platform
A portal is a web site that collects information concerning
specific themes or topics, and facilitates access to related services
and information sources. Portals were first introduced in the late
1990s, and are often complex. A portal is an ideal platform for
sharing information throughout web-based information manage-
ment system. When using a portal, all case-related information is
centralized in a case database that can only be obtained via a web
interface. The portal also has authentication and access control
mechanisms that enable participants to access information
according to user privileges. However, exchanging information
among participants is more difficult in practice than it seems at
first glance. For example, several different systems and standards
are used to exchange information; peer-to-peer relationships
among companies in the network are generally extremely difficult
to manage, and most systems do not facilitate seamless infor-
mation exchange with other systems. Furthermore, most partici-
pants are extremely reluctant to share information with other
parties because paper-based information is difficult and inconve-
nient to share to one another. Portals can resolve these problems.
Standardized interactions with a single portal are easier to manage
than numerous peer-to-peer relationships. Electronic exchanges
of information decrease the number of errors, and increase work
efficiency. Enabling individual participants to access the latest
information directly from a control center, theoretically eliminates
the negative effects of uncertainty for participants.
3. Development of the RFID-QIM system
3.1. Conceptual framework
The RFID-QIM system is based on an information-sharing
platform that integrates QIM with the web and RFID tech-
nologies. All data are stored and classified by case-based units
in the RFID-QIM system. Additionally, the RFID-QIM services
described in this study are available to all participants (suppliers
and customers) via a specially designed portal that also serves as
a real-time and mail communication channel for participants.
All authorized participants can perform and make quality
controls, schedule controls and inventory management based on
data shared through the portal. Emails are automatically sent
from the server to the project managers and to relevant par-
ticipants to the relevant event when data are updated on the
server side (see Fig. 3). The following section outlines the
development of the CenterQIM system in detail.
Data entry facilitates the following functions: (a) registered
users, such as customers, consultants, contractors (i.e., con-
struction and quality managers), subcontractors and suppliers
can post their QIM documentation; (b) registered users can
submit case-specific QIM data, and (c) organizations can reg-
ister with the system as approved users. Users can enter data on
lab using PDAs, and send them through the internet to the web
server. Because participants are responsible for updating their
QIM data as work in progress, reminders are emailed to those
who fail to log the required data. The data are stored on the
server after they are submitted via the web interface, and thus
471
become accessible to relevant organizations and users. Data
verification is performed to ensure that the data obtained are
valid. Any raw data obtained are reviewed by quality auditors.
The web-based system needs sufficient security measures to
prevent hackers from accessing sensitive information. Informa-
tion reported by the RFID-QIM system includes case quality
performance, test results and reports, items of non-compliances
and progress of improvement.
The RFID-QIM system has three main components, a PDA,
RFID and a portal. Significantly, both the PDA and RFID
components are located on the client side, while the portal is on
the server side. All case-related information acquired by on-site
engineers within the RFID-QIM system is recorded in a cen-
tralized QIM system database. All participants can access re-
quired information via the portal based on their access
privileges. Moreover, the portal is limited by design to thirty
persons logging in when all participants acquire the same case
information at the same time.
3.2. System architecture
The RFID-QIM system server has three distinct layers,
presentation, application and database, each with its own
responsibilities.
The presentation layer defines administration and end-user
interfaces suited to the end-user's work. Users can access re-
quired information via web browsers such as Microsoft Internet
Explorer and Firefox. Additionally, administrators control and
manage information via a web browser and a separate server
interface. The application layer defines various applications for
collecting and managing information. These applications enable
system security, information sharing and system monitoring and
administration. The database layer includes Standard Query
Language (SQL) Server 2003. All data are stored and organized
using DB2 Everyplace for mobile devices. Data uploaded from
mobile devices are stored in a DB2 Universal Database system,
which serves as an intermediate storage area between the server
and client sides. Finally, an SQL Server 2003 system is adopted
to process and manage the RFID-QIM system database. Fur-
thermore, RFID-QIM is written using Dreamweaver, Fireworks,
Flash, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and JavaServer
Pages Technology (JSP).
The QIM records maintained by consultants, contractors and
subcontractors can be extracted and summarized into reports.
Most importantly, because the essential dates pertinent to noti-
fication, inspection and repair stages are recorded systemati-
cally, participants can easily identify problems when delays
occur. The above mechanism can eliminate unnecessary claims
and disputes that result from a lack of information or records.
Based on reports generated by RFID-QIM system, the client can
determine whether the problems are promptly and satisfactorily
resolved by relevant parties.
3.3. Modules of the RFID-QIM system
The RFID-QIM system consists of a quality inspection and
management portal integrated with mobile devices and RFID
472 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479

Fig. 3. RFID-QIM system framework overview.

technology (RFID-enabled PDA). Each module is briefly de-
scribed below.
3.3.1. Mobile device (PDA) module of RFID-QIM system
The RFID-QIM system is operated on Windows CE. The
programming language and tools used in module development
are Visual Basic and eMbedded Visual Tools 3.0. SQL Server
for Windows CE serves as the PDA database for the Windows
CE-based PDA. All data files in the PDA module are first stored
in the PDA database, before being transmitted to the server
through the Internet. All data files are sent, transformed and
saved in the server-side database using Open Database Con-
nectivity (ODBC) and Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)
technologies when the application is run on the PDA.
3.3.2. RFID module of RFID-QIM system
The Windows CE mobile device platform was chosen as the
RFID-enabled PDA hardware system. The RFID-QIM system
adopts a Pocket PC with an MPR-1230 RFID Reader. The RFID
technology can be either a passive or active system. The major
 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479 473

difference between an active and a passive RFID system is that
an active tag contains a battery, and can transmit information to
the reader without the reader generating an electromagnetic
field. The case study uses passive RFID technology due to
budget restrictions.
3.3.3. Web portal module of RFID-QIM system—CenterQIM
portal
The CenterQIM portal is an information hub in the RFID-
QIM system for a material test lab. The CenterQIM portal
enables all participants to log onto a single portal, and im-
mediately obtain information required for planning. The portal
provides suppliers and customers with information about the
inventory levels of other portal users. The users can access
different information and services via a single front-end on the
Internet. For example, a customer can log onto the portal, enter
an assigned security password, and access real-time inspection
schedule information. A general contractor can check the test or
inspection status, availability of reports and various other case-
related data. The CenterQIM portal is based on the Microsoft
Windows 2000 operating system with Internet Information
Server (IIS) as the web server. The prototype was developed
using Java Server Pages (JSP), which are easily combined with
HTML and JavaScript technologies to transform an Internet
browser into a user-friendly interface. The CenterQIM Portal
provides a solution involving a single, unified database linked
to all functional systems with different levels of access to
information, based on user role, both within an organization and
across organizations and other participants.
3.4. System modules
This section describes the implementation of each module in
the RFID-enabled PDA system.
work. The progress monitor module provides an easily
accessed and portable environment where lab staff members
can trace and record all information regarding the status of
inspections delivered to the lab or scheduled for testing.
■ E-specification Module:
This module allows lab staff members and engineers to
download specifications in advance, and reference them
during inspection. This module also has a search function
that enables the information to be found and retrieved easily,
which is a valuable feature in dynamic environments. More-
over, lab staff members and engineers who do not need
paper-based specifications can download e-specifications
and access them directly using their PDAs.
4. Case study—Concrete specimen quality test and
management
This study utilizes a concrete specimen quality inspection
and management system in the construction material test lab in
Taiwan. Existing approaches for tracking and managing the
inspection in material test labs adopt manually updated paper-
based records. However, information collected using such
labor-intensive methods is unreliable and ineffective for man-
aging inspection results. The results of the inspection and
quality tests are generally obtained by telephone or fax. The
inspection process is currently not easy to trace or monitor. The
RFID-based concrete specimen quality inspection and manage-
ment system is applied to enhance the effective management of
concrete specimen quality inspection in the lab.
The case study involves premixing concrete, pouring the
specimen, removing the shoring, marking the specimen, curing,
a compression test and inventory phases. In the case study,

■ Test Report Module:

The report module provides lab staff members with a com-
plete record of tests performed in the lab. Lab staff members
can record data for dates, conditions, completed tests, de-
scriptions of problems and suggestions that have arisen
during inspection.
■ Quality and Inspection Module:
Lab staff members can download the most up-to-date quality
tests from the Internet, and enter test results directly via a
PDA. Additionally, PDAs display the checklist for every
task. Staff and engineers can also mark unacceptable posi-
tions, and select relevant items from lists in the PDA. The
module has the benefit that lab staff members can enter/edit
quality and inspection test results, and all test records can be
transferred between the PDA and portal by real-time syn-
chronization, eliminating the need to enter the same data
repeatedly.
■ Progress Monitor Module:
This module is designed to enable lab staff members to
monitor the progress of inspections and tests. Additionally,
managers, on-site engineers and project-related participants
can access the progress or inspection condition of critical Fig. 4. The system implementation flow diagram in the tracing progress.
474 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479

contractors and lab staff members utilized the RFID-QIM
system to enhance inspection quality and management. Passive
read/write RFID tags are used in the case study. Passwords are
utilized to protect the data in the RFID tags. The concrete
specimen for the building project is poured at the construction
site. After the concrete specimen is selected, an RFID tag for the
concrete specimen is made, and the relevant information is
entered into the system. The primary description in the case
study is presented to elucidate the application of the quality
inspection using the RFID-enabled PDA and web portal. Fig. 4
illustrates the system implementation flow diagram for moni-
toring progress. Fig. 5 shows the process flowchart of the RFID-
QIM system in the concrete specimen quality test. Fig. 6 pre-
sents the usage of RFID in concrete specimen quality tests.
4.1. Premixing concrete phase
The supplier selected the concrete specimen to be traced in
the case study. Following premixing and selection, the concrete
specimen's RFID tag is scanned and entered into the database
through the portal. Additionally, the RFID position of the
concrete specimen was examined and discussed during the next
phase to determine the best way to implant the RFID tab into the
concrete specimen.

Fig. 5. Process flowchart of illustration for RFID-QIM system in case study.

 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479 475

Fig. 6. The usage of RFID application in concrete specimen quality test.

4.2. Installation phase
One hundred specimens were poured after mixing the
concrete from five different construction sites. The RFID tags
are entered into the related information. RFID tags can be
attached to concrete specimens by either of two methods. One
method is to place the RFID tag directly in the concrete
specimen; the other is to attach the tag using a rope. The ropes
are cut and RFID tags reused after the concrete specimens are
tested. After the concrete specimens were delivered to the lab,
the lab staff members scanned the concrete specimens and
updated the system information (see Fig. 7). Moreover, all
concrete specimens had RFID tag installed, and were placed in
the inventory prior to curing. Lab staff members used their
PDAs to manage the RFID-based concrete specimens and
determine which concrete specimens need curing. Lab staff
members utilize the PDA to scan the concrete specimen into the
inventory and to enter data and attributes of the concrete
specimen. The data in the PDA are used to synchronize update
data/information via the portal, and the contractor can determine
which concrete specimen has already been processed and has
inventory status.
476 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479
Fig. 7. The application of PDAs using in concrete specimen quality test.
4.3. Curing phase
The lab staff members use the RFID-enabled PDA to scan
the RFID tags and choose the status when the concrete speci-
men is ready for delivery to the curing phase. The data in the
PDA synchronously update the data/information through the
portal, and the contractor is notified about when to update the
status of the concrete specimen and to start the curing phase (see
Fig. 7).
4.4. Inspection and compressive test phase
When the concrete specimen has been delivered to the
compressive test phase, lab staff member scans the RFID tag of
selected concrete specimen and enters the test results and
information. The lab staff member enters the inspection results,
edit the description in the PDA and access the updated infor-
mation. The system then automatically sends an alarm message
to the head office manager, asking the manager to enter the
portal and check the updated information. Additionally, the
consultant may enter the portal and check the result of the
concrete specimen that was tested in the lab.
4.5. Inventory phase
After testing the concrete specimen, lab staff members can
record final test results regarding quantity and quality, and send
the result to the system. Finally, the concrete specimen tracking
process updates the test status synchronously in the portal,
enabling the manager, general contractor or authorized suppliers
to check the process. If the test result is a failure, then the lab
staff members record the problems directly in the PDAs. The
result/problem is updated via the RFID-QIM system portal,
enabling managers and engineers to access inspection results
quickly and directly. Once the tested concrete specimen is ready
to be moved to the inventory room, the tested components with
RFID tags must be scanned again by staff to update information
during the inventory phase. Information is then updated and
 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479 477

Table 1 whether the RFID-QIM system can perform tasks as specified in

System evaluation result the system analysis and design. The validation test was under-
System testing Mean score taken by asking selected case participators to use the system,
Comprehensive functionality 1.5 and provide feedback by answering a questionnaire. The case
Convenience 1.7 participators consisted of two lab managers with 8 years of
Ease of acquiring data 1.9 experience; four lab staff members with 10 years of experience;
Accuracy 1.6
three senior engineers with 10 years of experience, and three
Reliability 1.3
senior engineers with one year or less of experience in the case
System function Mean score study. To evaluate system function and the level of system
User interface 1.6 capability satisfaction, we distributed questionnaires, and the
Ease of use 1.5 users of the system were asked to grade the conditions of system
Over information sufficiency 1.5 testing, system function, and system capability separately,
Over system usefulness 1.5 compared with the previous system, on the five Likert scale.
Over dynamic respond 1.6
The Likert scale is a scale of minus two to plus two, where
System capability Mean score minus two means “not useful”, zero “modest”, and plus two
“very useful”. The results of the questionnaire indicated a re-
Reduce unnecessary time 1.6
Reduce unnecessary costs 1.4
markable improvement in work safety (see Table 1). Table 2
Improve rework 1.8 shows a comparison of the approximate time required for a
Improve information sharing 1.8 typical concrete specimen quality test (finding concrete speci-
Applicable to construction industry 1.6 men to be inspected, inputting description and result, and data
The mean score is calculated from respondents' feedback on fivescale archiving and retrieval) using a traditional paper-based inspec-
questionnaire: − 2(not useful), − 1, 0, +1 and +2 (very useful). tion approach and the proposed system. Some comments for
future improvements of RFID-QIM system were also obtained
transmitted synchronously via the portal. Finally, the RFID tag from the project participants through customers and lab staff
can be reused when the RFID tags are attached to the concrete members' satisfaction survey. The next section presents the
specimen using ropes. detailed results of the performance evaluation and the general
contractor satisfaction survey conducted during the field trials.
5. Field tests and results
■ The 91% obtained from customers satisfaction survey
Overall, the lab test results indicate that passive RFID tags indicates that the RFID-QIM system is quite adaptable to
are effective tools for construction quality inspection and the current quality inspection and management practices, and
management special for concrete specimens. All tags survived is attractive to customers. This result implies that the RFID-
use in the lab environment over a seven month testing period. QIM system was well designed, and could enhance the
The number of concrete specimens for inspection progress in current time-consuming quality inspection and management
field trials was one hundred from five different general process.
contractors. The RFID-QIM system was installed on the main ■ The 88% obtained from lab staff members satisfaction
server in the main office in the lab before the field trials. survey indicates that the system automatically generated all
A user's guide of the RFID-QIM system was briefly explained documentation, and accumulated the related historical data in
to staff involved in quality inspection and management the central database server in real-time. The lab staff mem-
progress. bers could thus collect inspection data, and send them
During the field trials, verification and validation tests were electronically to the RFID-QIM system. No additional work
performed to evaluate the system. The verification aims to was required for any documentation or inspection analysis
evaluate whether the system operates correctly according to the after the data collection.
design and specification; and validation evaluates the usefulness ■ To maximize the adaptability of RFID-QIM system in lab,
of the system. The verification test was carried out by checking the lab staff members strongly recommended that the system

Table 2
Comparison of paper-based inspection and proposed inspection approach
Item Paper-based approach Proposed approach
Method Average time Method Average time
(min) (min)
Find inspected related information Referring to inspection menu 2.1 Automatic selection 1.2
Input defect description Referring to inspected item and checklist 2.9 Use electronic forms 1.0
Check history record Paper forms 2.4 Read information from RFID tag 0.1
Entry the problems Describing and sketching 3.8 Entry the PDA and store in RFID and system 0.1
Archive data Re-entry at the office 8.5 Real-time update database 0.2
Sharing defect information Send the e-mail or by fax 2.8 Access the system directly and share information 0.8
478 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479
should provide additional functions to enable on-lab quality
managers to control and assure the overall quality of the tests
in the lab.
■ The advantages and disadvantages of RFID-QIM system
identified from the real case studies application are iden-
tified. However, 87% of users obtained from lab staff mem-
bers satisfaction survey agree that the RFID-QIM system is
useful for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of
automated data acquisition and information sharing between
labs and participants, thus assisting staff members and
customers in managing and monitoring the quality inspec-
tion progress of concrete specimens in the test lab. Passive
tags are less expensive than active tags. Thus, passive tags
are suited to the construction industry.
The RFID-QIM system enhanced the construction quality
inspection and management performance in four different cate-
gories, namely improvement of working efficiency, reduction of
operation cost, customer satisfaction enhancement, time saving
in inspection operation and management progress.
5.1. Improvement of working efficiency
The use of RFID and web technology to collect and capture
information significantly enhanced the efficiency of inspection
processes. For instance, the RFID-enabled PDA eliminated
need for the lab staff to manually input the inspection data twice
when they received the final reports. They simply needed to
input the data directly onto the RFID-enabled PDA, whereupon
the RFID-enabled PDA reader would write the input data into
RFID tag and automatically forward them from the RFID-en-
abled PDA reader to the RFID-QIM system. The case study
produced an overall read rate of 94% for the tags on the concrete
specimen. Most of the non-reads were that caused by tags on the
concrete specimen falling down the bottom of specimen, or by
tags being outside the antenna's reading circle. RFID readers
and tags are widely thought likely to improve in the future, thus
bringing the read rate to an industrially acceptable level, and
significantly improving the operation efficiency. Furthermore,
the utilization of the web-based RFID-QIM system based on
real-time information tracking increased the efficiency of the
monitoring progress by 23–28%.
5.2. Reduction of operation cost
The tags adopted in this study cost under $0.5 US dollars
each in 2006. The cost of these tags is decreasing every year.
The total cost of the equipment applied in this study was $3000
US dollars (including RFID-enabled PDA reader and one server
personal computer). The operation cost was decreased after the
implementation of the RFID-QIM system in the following two
ways:
• The cost of manually inputting the inspection result at the
report division was decreased.
• The use of RFID tags on pallets and cases reduced the
number of checkers is reduced.
5.3. Customer satisfaction enhancement
The degree of satisfaction regarding the real-time sharing of
concrete specimen quality inspection results for customers
increased by 13%. Customers were able to track the phase and
result of specimen quality inspection. Moreover, customers
could access the latest inspection result and obtain a brief report
directly from the web. The RFID-QIM system is expected to
raise customer satisfaction significantly based on customers'
satisfaction survey.
5.4. Time saving in inspection operation and management
progress
Experimental results demonstrate that RFID-QIM system
can significantly enhance the inspection and management prog-
ress. The proposed system sequences inspection operations and
schedules them to the appropriate staff; and manages lab oper-
ations quickly and efficiently, and pre-manages travel se-
quences. The use of RFID reduces the amount of manual
checking activities in the front area and the lab area, thus
significantly decreasing the overall inspection operation time.
6. Conclusions
This study proposes an RFID-based quality inspection and
management system that integrates web and RFID technologies
to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of automated data
acquisition and information sharing among participants, thus
assisting managers in controlling and monitoring delivery prog-
ress in construction test labs. The proposed RFID-QIM system
enhances inspection data acquisition using an RFID-enabled
PDA, and facilitates monitoring and control of inspection
progress. The ability of RFID-enabled PDAs to capture data
effectively means that staff members and engineers can utilize
them to eliminate time and space constraints in a lab and at site,
enabling them to integrate work processes seamlessly, due to.
Plugging an RFID scanner into a PDA produces a powerful
portable data collection tool. Moreover, RFID readings improve
the accuracy and speed of communicating information, thereby
indirectly enhancing performance and productivity. On the
server side, the RFID-QIM system provides suppliers and cus-
tomers with real-time, updated, case-related information for
monitoring inspection progress. In the case study, the appli-
cation of the RFID-QIM system improved the progress moni-
toring and management of concrete specimen quality inspection
in the lab located in Taiwan. This study demonstrated that
passive RFID technology has significant potential for improv-
ing concrete specimen quality inspections and management in
the lab. The integration of inspection and progress real-time
information from a material lab enables lab staff and engineers
to monitor and manage the whole inspection process. Further-
more, inspection results can be updated for participants in real-
time, facilitating the rescheduling of related production and
assessment when needed. The availability of QIM information
and reports gives participants an improved understanding of
case-related quality and performance of work in progress. The
 L.-C. Wang / Automation in Construction 17 (2008) 467–479
Internet and RFID technologies also enable the seamless col-
lection and sharing of QIM information. RFID-enabled PDAs
perform better than current techniques automated data collec-
tion and communication of information/data from the lab. The
portal technology utilized in the system accelerates information
sharing among participants, thus increasing efficiency.
7. Recommendations
The case study findings indicate that the RFID technology
and mobile devices are useful tools for monitoring the progress
of quality inspections. Recommendations for implementing the
proposed system in the future are given below.
■ This study evaluates the application of RFID technology as a
possible solution to quality inspection and management in
concrete specimens. Field test results demonstrate that in-
serting RFID tags inside concrete specimens does not in-
fluence the strength of the concrete specimens. Moreover,
the insertion position of RFID tags in the concrete specimen
is very important, because inserting the tag too deeply would
make it unreadable.
■ The maximum readable distance of RFID tags inserted inside
the concrete specimen is 3 cm from the top surface of
concrete specimen, according to field test results.
■ Cost is a currently significant factor limiting the widespread
use of RFID tags in the construction industry. Passive tags
are cheaper than active tags. Additionally, most passive tags
have small data storage capabilities, thereby decreasing the
cost of chips and motherboards. Therefore, passive tags are
suited to the construction industry.
■ The case study results show that the application of RFID tags
to concrete specimens assists quality inspection and manage-
ment. However, an appropriate tag position is difficult to
determine, and a tag can be easily moved after being inserted
inside the concrete specimen. Conversely, tying the tag to the
specimen using rope secures it easily. The rope can be cut
and the RFID tag reused after the concrete specimen is
tested.
■ The limitation of RFID is that the RFID tags and the reader
must be brought close enough to each other in order for the
RFID to be read.
■ This study has indicated that RFID devices are more useful
than barcodes, because they can carry information. Addi-
tionally, the inspection plan helps provide accurate and
timely information for quality inspection and management.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge the National Science
Council, Taiwan, for financially supporting this work and
express our appreciation to the C-L Construction test lab Inc for
the assistance in the system design and interviews, and to the lab
staff members and engineers of the case study for providing
useful data, valuable information, and helpful comments during
system design and development.
479
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