Nano Engineered Self Sensing Concrete for Smart Structures

Abstract

This study aims to design a multifunctional cement composite that can bear loads and possess electromechanical properties by integrating structural health monitoring (S.H.M.) systems within the concrete. Traditionally, dispersive conductive fillers were a common technique utilized. However, this process was costly and involved complex variables challenging and affecting structural integrity. We aim to leverage this approach's weakness and introduce a new S.H.M. technique in which carbon fiber-based ink solution is sprayed on the cement-aggregate interface, which is less costly and offers less complex dispersion. A well-defined conductive network was established on the spray's drying, forming electrically conductive, thin film-coated aggregates. The thin film-coated aggregates were used to cast multiple concrete cylinders and beam specimens to validate conductivity and concrete's mechanical properties. It was demonstrated experimentally that this procedure yielded specimens that showed better conductivity and had electrical properties that varied in response to applied loads, successively detecting damage locations and their severities in the structure even before damage being detected with the naked eye, which propagated rapidly, causing sudden failures. Thus, our process enabled the self-sensing properties of the film, enhancing the concrete within a budget while limiting the challenging variables associated with the previous technique.