Electrical sensing properties of smart concrete enhanced with nano materials

Abstract

The structures have to be assessed for its failures caused by design and construction errors, material deterioration, adverse environment effect hence monitoring the structural health has shown to be a reliable method of assuring the structural integrity. The advanced development of sensor technology and sensing material are the most attractive parts of evaluating structural health. The change in stress, strain, crack formation, temperature variation is measured using fiber optic sensors, piezometers and other sensor types are often utilized in health monitoring systems. Sensors can degrade over time due to exposure to moisture, temperature fluctuations, wearing and tearing or physical impacts. Additionally, installing and maintaining sensors can be costly. These restrictions might be addressed by incorporating sensing technology, such as smart sensing concrete, into concrete structures. This paper explores the piezo resistive properties in concrete by introducing functional fillers like carbon fiber, carbon nano tubes, graphene materials to make electrically conductive concrete that are used to assess its own deformation. This technology could lead to more efficient maintenance and repair processes, ultimately increasing the lifespan of buildings and bridges reduces the wastage of resources leads to sustainability.