In ground sensors

Types of in-ground sensors

In-ground sensors are used to monitor various conditions below the surface in several mediums, such as soil, concrete, roadways, and vegetation. As such, one can find in-ground sensors for agricultural, construction, and even environmental monitoring business applications.

The most common types of in-ground sensors include:

• Soil moisture sensors

  Soil moisture sensors are key ground sensors in agricultural operations, especially large-scale farming enterprises. They measure the amount of moisture in the soil at different depths, helping farmers determine irrigation needs. It reduces water wastage and optimizes crop growth.

• Temperature sensors

  Temperature sensors are another type of in-ground sensor businesses use embedded in roadways to monitor the temperatures on the road surface and subsurface temperature changes on it. Many road and transportation agencies, especially in colder climates, use these sensors to monitor conditions that may lead to frost heaves or icing on the road surface. They help optimize road maintenance scheduling and reduce repair costs by providing real-time temperature data.

• Vibration sensors

  Vibration sensors detect and measure ground vibrations caused by nearby traffic, heavy machinery, and seismic activity. Construction firms widely use them to monitor ground vibrations during construction work. By analyzing the data, it ensures that construction activities do not adversely affect nearby structures, which could lead to litigation from the affected parties.

• Settlement sensors

  Settlement or displacement sensors are also called underground borehole extensometers or invar gauge, and underground housing and building developers have them installed to monitor movement or settling of the ground beneath structures and majorly under highways and many critical infrastructure projects. The data these sensors provide helps construction firms identify early signs of ground instability and take corrective action before the settlement causes serious damage to the structures.

• Soil pH sensors

  Soil pH sensors are used mostly by large-scale agriculture and horticulture businesses to measure the acidity or alkalinity of soil at different depths. This information is crucial for farmers and gardeners who need to maintain optimal soil conditions for healthy crop growth and other plant health because soil pH affects nutrient availability to the plant. The pH data helps large-scale farmers and horticulturists to make informed decisions about fertilization and soil amendments.

• Concrete sensors

  Concrete sensors, also known as maturity sensors or curings sensors, are used by large construction companies to be embedded into newly poured concrete to monitor its temperature and strength as it cures. These sensors provide real-time data that helps construction managers determine when the concrete has reached the necessary strength level, allowing for safer and more efficient construction practices.

Commercial use cases of in-ground sensors

• Agriculture

  Industrial-scale farmers use a variety of in-soil sensors to monitor soil moisture', 'nutrients, and pH levels to help them maintain optimal growing conditions for their crops, reducing chemical fertilizer and water wastage. This helps farmers maximize crop yields and reduce operational costs.

• Road and infrastructure monitoring

  Road and civil defense agencies use in-ground temperature, moisture, and settlement sensors embedded into pavement and concrete dreary systems to monitor their conditions in real-time. This helps them identify early road or bridge infrastructure deterioration and issues like frost heave and icing or even majorStructural collapse, thus improving their road and bridge maintenance schedules and reducing the risk of accidents. The data also helps the agency prioritize infrastructure repairs based on their severity and support budgeting by estimating repair costs.

• Mining operations

  Mining firms monitor ground vibrations and stability during mining operations with in-ground vibration and settlement sensors to ensure the safety of their workers. The data helps the mine optimize its operations while preventing accidents like cave-ins and rock falls.

• Construction projects

  Large construction firms embed in-ground wire loop vehicle sensors, concrete sensors, and others into the structures they are building to monitor vehicle traffic flow and concrete curing conditions. It helps the builders deliver quality structures faster by providing critical real-time data like when they can remove forms. The data also helps the construction firm optimize work schedules and reduce labor costs.

• Environmental monitoring

  Environmentalists place in-ground moisture, pH, and temperature sensors and satellite-based underground environmental monitoring systems on pristine ecosystems, farmland, and urban areas to monitor changes in soil conditions that could cause changes in plant health, which in turn affects ecosystem preservation and agricultural safety. This data helps environmentalists develop targeted conservation strategies and the ability to monitor the effectiveness of anti-environmental policies over time, and prevents destruction of valuable ecosystems.

What to consider when selling in-ground sensors

Buyers should consider the following factors when purchasing in-soil sensors in bulk for commercial resale:

• Sensor type

  Buyers should ensure the in-ground sensors they purchase are suitable for the typical underground conditions they are likely to encounter in their target market. For example, concrete sensors should only be used for monitoring curing in concrete structures, while soil moisture, pH, and temperature sensors are best used in farming and gardening.

• Measurement capabilities

  Buyers must look at the parameters the in-ground sensors can measure, as these are key to appealing to a wider target market beyond agriculture and construction. Examples of what to look for include soil moisture sensors that measure different levels of soil moisture, temperature sensors that can measure the external temperature range and vibration and settlement sensors that are displacement meters and can also measure texture, surface profile, and tilt, respectively. Buyers should also consider buying temperature sensors that are built-in wireless transmitting thermocouple sensors to optimize data collection.

• Durability and environmental protection

  The environmental protection level of in-ground sensors is important, as many of them must be buried underground and thus expected to work under extreme conditions, such as excessive rainfall, scorching sun, snow, chemical exposure, and high pressure. Therefore, buyers should only purchase those with IP-rated enclosures. Buyers should also look at the quality of materials used to make the sensors, such as stainless steel, hardened glass, and reinforced plastics.

• Sampling rate and battery life

  Buyers should consider the sampling rates and battery lives of the in-ground sensors. Buyers should only consider in-ground sensors that have been optimized to sample and transmit data at fast rates in order not to drain their battery life too quickly, especially those meant for construction and agriculture, where any delay in data collection can lead to safety and structural issues respectively. Also, sensors with longer battery lives reduce the need for frequent replacements, thus saving the end-users time and money.

• Ease of installation and integration capabilities

  Buyers should consider these two factors so that when it comes time to market the sensors, they are not receiving complaints over their products. This means that buyers should only purchase in-ground sensors that can be easily installed without requiring specialized tools or expertise, as this can be a barrier to many end-users. Additionally, buyers should look for in-ground sensors that are compatible with popular data management applications and can be integrated with other monitoring hardware so that end-users do not need to learn a new data analysis application to get the sensors.

What to consider when buying in-ground sensors

• Accuracy and precision

  It is important that construction and agriculture companies ensure the in-ground sensors they use provide accurate and precise data. Buyers can look for in-ground sensors that have received approval for accuracy by quality control agencies or commonly used by professionals.

• Cost of maintenance and repair

  As many in-ground sensors are exposed to extreme environmental conditions, they may become damaged or require frequent replacement. Therefore, buyers must consider the costs associated with maintaining and repairing the sensors when making purchasing decisions. They should also factor in preventative maintenance costs so that they internally maintain the devices without incurring downtime.

• Commercial applications

  Buyers should first ensure the in-ground sensors they intend to purchase can be embedded or buried in soil, temperature, and concrete because these are the most common applications. Then, depending on the type of business they are selling to, buyers should consider the challenges their customers face when selecting in-ground sensors. For example, vibration sensors that monitor road traffic may not be ideal for customers in construction and mining because the sensors will pick up too much 'noise' and not filter only the relevant data. Finally, buyers should select sensors that are versatile and can be used across many industries, like dual-temperature and moisture sensors that can be used in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and construction.

• Shipping and storage

  Guides explaining the perfect way to store and handle in-ground sensors can significantly improve the condition of the devices upon arrival at the wholesaler's or the customer's warehouse. Buyers must consider the shipping and storage conditions of fragile sensors made of materials like glass and plastic.

• Lead times

  Depending on the sensors' materials or complexity, some sensors may require longer lead times in-ground to arrive than others. Buyers should ensure that both their lead times and those of their customers are sufficient to prevent project delays.

How to DIY with in-ground sensors

• Soil moisture sensor

  Large-scale farmers embed soil moisture sensors in fields that send real-time data on soil moisture levels to their smartphones, enabling them to know when to hydrate their crops properly.

• Temperature sensors

  Road agencies embed in-ground temperature sensors into major road surfaces to monitor real-time road conditions, which helps them schedule maintenance better and even prevent accidents on those roads.

• Vibration sensors

  Mining firms monitor the ground using in-ground vibration sensors to keep track of rock stability, which helps them prevent accidents during mining operations and protect workers' safety and avoid legal issues. The data also helps them optimize mining operations.

• Settlement sensors

  Building developers monitor the stability of structures layer by layer during and after construction using settlement sensors to ensure safety and prevent future damage to expensive structures.

• Soil pH sensors

  Large-scale agriculture and horticulture embed soil pH sensors in the crop and garden locations to measure the acidity and alkalinity levels of the soil, which enables them to maintain proper conditions for healthy plants and increased crop yields.

• Concrete sensors

  Builder and contracting companies like commercially.net install concrete sensors into newly poured concrete to monitor temperature and strength real-time so they can determine when to remove forms safely and give quality structures faster.

Q&A

Q1: Which in-ground sensors are a must-have for construction industry clients?

A1: The must-have sensors are concrete sensors, settlement, soil pH, moisture, and temperature sensors, which provide critical data for construction workers to complete their work safely and efficiently.

Q2: How long can in-ground sensors remain underground and functional?

A2: The lifespan of in-ground sensors depends on the type and environmental conditions, like extreme heat, pressure, and workload, but most can last several years while providing frequent data.

Q3: Which in-ground sensors do agriculture customers prefer the most?

A3: Clients prefer soil moisture and temperature sensors because they accurately provide key data for optimal crop irrigation and growth conditions for better yields without wastage of resources.

Q4: How can buyers ensure the in-ground sensors are of high quality?

A4:Buyers should look for in-ground sensors that have received certifications from quality control agencies or popularly used among professionals monitoring construction, agriculture, and environmental conditions.

Q5: How can road agencies use the data from in-ground sensors?

A5: Road agencies use temperature, moisture, and vehicle detection sensors embedded in the road surface and subsurface to monitor real-time road conditions, improve maintenance schedules, and prevent accidents.