... precast, as it is going through a challenging environment.” Kanner adds, “There is a lot of technology here, [but] it works.”

The tag is held in place by a wire twisted into the rebar before casting. That makes the tags highly resistant to tampering, says Kanner. He notes the tags work better than bar codes, which could supply the same information, because the chips are more damage- and tamper-resistant and, unlike bar codes, can be read in bright sunlight.

How It Works

The process works by first assigning an ID to each precast part in the model, and then, as each is cast, registering the attached RFID tag number to that part in the database. Skanska’s quality-assurance personnel do that by scanning the tags with a pen-sized RFID reader held close to the tag. A Bluetooth transmission between the pen and the operator’s Motion Computing L5, pen-sensitive laptop computer transfers the ID number to a data-entry form. The operator then picks the correct part from a list and clicks to associate the tag ID. From that point on, any time the tag is scanned and a pen communicates with one of the project laptops, the information sheet for the correct part will appear.

Vela Systems

Vela Systems Chip IDs are read each time a part enters a different stage. Status is collected on units in the field for docking later.

The users can add notes about the part, such as the presence of blemishes, defects or damage. They can attach sketches, photos and sound files. Handwriting-recognition software lets them scrawl notes, which are converted to type.

Each piece goes through a sequence of status changes, from ready-to-ship to shipped, delivered and erected. At each step, the color of the part changes in the 4D model whenever the supervisors scan its tag and dock their computers.

Pascoa says the crew initially considered setting up a wireless network on the site so the computers wouldn’t even need to dock to exchange data, but decided it wasn’t necessary. “I started out using a wireless card, but it didn’t make much difference,” he says. “It takes me 10 or 15 minutes to go back to the office and download.”

Occasionally there is a small lag in the update if information needs to be rectified. Pieces sometimes skip a step and don’t even pass through the holding yard: “They go straight to erection,” Pascoa says. A damaged piece might also be replaced by another, requiring an adjustment in the database. “We can always adjust the Tekla model, no problem,” Pascoa says.

Campbell says Skanska easily expects to gain at least 10 days on the schedule through use of the system, for a projected savings of $1 million. “A project this size takes a lot of staff. We figure it’s at least $100,000 a day,” Campbell says.

The New Meadowlands Stadium project is part of the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. It replaces the adjacent Giants stadium. The owner is a joint venture of the New York Giants and New York Jets.

In addition to Skanska as design-builder, other team members include Philadelphia-based architect and mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineer-of-record EwingCole and New York City-based Thornton Tomasetti, structural engineer. Kansas City-based 360 Architecture is credited as the design architect. The precast concrete components are manufactured by High Concrete Group, Denver, Pa., and its subs.

Pascoa says he would also like to see the system used for parking garages “and buildings in general, if they have a lot of exterior precast.” But he says he will “have to think about” its value in other applications, like tracking structural steel.

Campbell says he is consulting with colleagues on Skanska’s civil side on possible use of the system for a pair of water- treatment plants soon to start construction in Westchester County, N.Y. However, one thing is sure, he says, “We’re not going back to paper and pencil.”