Piezoelectric Concrete: A Smart Material Approach for Energy-Harvesting Structural Technologies

Abstract

The rapid growth of urban infrastructure demands innovative materials that not only support structural performance but also contribute to sustainability through energy harvesting. Piezoelectric concrete, which integrates ceramics, polymers, nanomaterials, and bio-based fillers into cementitious matrices, has emerged as a promising solution. This review systematically explores the fundamentals of piezoelectricity in concrete, highlighting how stress-induced elec-tromechanical coupling enables both energy harvesting and structural health monitoring. The paper critically evaluates major material systems including PZT ceramics, PVDF polymers, hybrid nanocomposites, and emerging bio-based materials, alongside their integration strategies such as embedded and surface-mounted approaches. Applications across pavements, bridges, and smart buildings are examined through national and international case studies, with a focus on powering low-energy devices, enabling self-sensing infrastructure, and supporting smart city initiatives. Persistent challenges such as low conversion efficiency, environmental durability, high cost, and limited multifunctionality are identified and matched with innovation pathways including hybrid composites, additive manufacturing, and modular low-cost designs. By linking material science with real-world engineering practice, this review provides a roadmap for advancing piezoelectric concrete from laboratory prototypes to scalable, durable, and intelligent infrastructure systems.