A novel method for temperature self-sensing of reinforced concrete

Abstract

Abstract In this work, a temperature-sensing reinforced concrete has been developed using capacitance and resistance-based measurements. No additives are required for self-temperature sensing. Steel bars in the reinforced concrete are used as electrodes. To determine the self-sensing properties of the reinforced concrete specimen, it is cooled from room temperature to −9 °C and heated from room temperature until it reaches 50.9 °C. The varying capacitance and resistance values of the sample concerning temperature changes are evaluated. Fractional changes in capacitance and resistance upon cooling are 80.6% and 276%, respectively. Fractional changes in capacitance and resistance upon warming are 60% and 35%, respectively. Temperature coefficients of capacitance and resistance (fractional change in capacitance and resistance per unit change in temperature) upon cooling are 2.5 × 10−2/°C and 8.6 × 10−2/°C, while upon warming they are 2.2 × 10−2/°C and 1.3 × 10−2/°C. This study aims to use capacitance and resistance-based sensing techniques to detect temperature variations in steel-reinforced concrete structures. Further studies are planned to investigate various factors such as moisture, porosity, aggregate proportion, and water content that affect the self-temperature-sensing performance of reinforced concrete.