An IoT-Based Framework for Enhanced Construction Material Management and Tracking

Abstract

Effective inventory management is essential for determining a project's growth and success in the construction industry. Recent studies have revealed that conventional techniques for managing construction materials and components still depend on human capacities, despite the fact that they account for 50%–60% of the entire cost of a typical project. This results in error-prone scenarios including product misplacement, stock replenishment, inappropriate handling, and counterfeiting. Because of this, real-time data collecting using developing technology like RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is highly desired. In this paper, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based framework for managing and tracking construction materials is presented. It is equipped with a GSM-based GPS module and a number of sensors, including the DHT 11 sensor, and can effectively synthesize all dynamic data regarding the real-time location, ambient temperature, and humidity along the supply chain associated with various types of resources. The prototype of the system uses the aforementioned components to collect the real-time location data. The information gathered using this prototype model enables us to monitor the materials effectively from a distance and provides us with a viable method of deployment for related tasks.