On Thursday 8th May, the Digital group met for a session on Digitalisation of Reinforcing Steel (Rebar). The group heard from CARES and their digital partner Digital Construction Solutions, about the CARES Cloud Solution, Giatec, about their SmartRock sensors, and GS1, about GS1 standards and technology.
The session explored the current challenges facing the rebar supply chain, the need for digital solutions and the benefits and challenges in implementing these.
Current Challenges in the Rebar Supply Chain
- Complex and fragmented processes
- Quality and sustainability concerns
- BBS & call off
- Duplication of orders
- Product complexity
- Errors & inefficiencies
- Increased wastage
- Increased lead times & delays
- Poor design change management
- Misuse & waste
- Mill test certificates
- Manual data entry & records
- Supply chain complexity
- Time consuming paper traceability
CARES
Ladin Camci, Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer (CTSO) & Executive Board Member of CARES, and Andrew Woolnough, CEO of CARES’ digital partner Digital Construction Solutions, outlined the transformative role of digitalisation in the rebar supply chain and gave insight into the assurance, traceability, and sustainability benefits of the CARES digital ecosystem- the CARES Cloud.
The CARES Cloud
CARES has developed a cloud-based digital platform that uses static and dynamic QR codes on products to enable traceability from steel production to construction site. It supports:
- Product test data capture
- Certification validation
- Carbon footprint data tracking
The platform is designed to integrate with external systems via API, ensuring seamless data exchange across the supply chain. It also aligns with the Building Safety Act by maintaining a secure, continuous record of product performance and certification, reinforcing accountability and transparency.
Traceability Framework
The CARES Cloud system enables four key aspects of traceability to be achieved:
- Physical Traceability – Tracking steel through each stage.
- Event Traceability – Recording the who, what, where, and when.
- Assurance Evidence – Providing digital certification and compliance records.
- Carbon Reporting – Enabling accurate as-built embodied carbon tracking.
Giatec
Simon Gibbs from Giatec introduced the SmartRock 3, a wireless sensor designed to monitor the temperature and strength of concrete in real time. This innovation addresses the challenge of gathering reliable data about concrete quality, especially around reinforcing steel.
SmartRock 3 Sensor
The SmartRock 3 sensor attaches directly to rebar to measure temperature at two points (sensor body and cable tip) and calculate concrete strength every 15 minutes for up to 60 days. The device is activated by a QR code and is designed to stay in place during installation and concrete pouring.
The system includes an app to track sensor locations, input mix designs, and monitor curing conditions using geo-tagging and weather data, with a dashboard platform which consolidates all the sensor data for easy access and analysis.
This solution provides a real-time method for monitoring concrete performance, reducing reliance on traditional methods and improving construction quality, safety, and compliance.
GS1
The final presentation came from Rachel Heaton and Dan O’Gorman from GS1. GS1 enables the use of unique identifiers like QR codes, barcodes, and RFID tags, allowing for seamless tracking of materials, products, and assets from design through to operation.
The group heard how the integration of GS1 standards can improve traceability, data flow, and efficiency throughout the entire lifecycle of construction projects and explored the key benefits and challenges to implementing them.
Key Benefits
- Global Interoperability: GS1 standards ensure that data can be accessed consistently across different systems and regions, facilitating accurate information exchange and traceability.
- Golden Thread of Information: A continuous information trail is created, ensuring transparency and reliability throughout the supply chain, from design to construction and beyond.
- Stakeholder Access: Various stakeholders, such as designers and contractors, can scan the same identifiers to access relevant project information, improving decision-making.
Challenges and Future Directions:
- Data Standardization: The specific data required for digital product passports is still being defined. Ongoing efforts are being made to standardize how product information is captured and shared.
- Early Integration: To maximize the benefits of GS1 standards, identifiers need to be incorporated early in the design process, supporting automation and reducing waste.
To Conclude
Digital transformation is enabling a more transparent, sustainable, and accountable construction industry. Digitising the steel supply chain, supports stakeholders to meet regulatory demands and improve operational efficiency while supporting environmental goals. By embedding unique identifiers early, projects can ensure better data management and create a more efficient and sustainable construction process.
Get Involved
This session was part of the Digital By Default series. To find out more about the Digital Group, visit our groups page, or join the next session by signing up via our events page.
