Development and Implementation of Cement-Based Nanocomposite Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring Applications: Laboratory Investigations and Way Forward

Abstract

Recent advances in material science and self-sensing technology have enabled the development of cement-based nanocomposite sensors that detect the damage on their own by exhibiting piezoelectric properties corresponding to the response of the structures. The present study involves the development and implementation of these sensors in the structural components and monitors the response by correlating the piezoelectric properties of the sensors with the stress-strain response to identify the potential damage. For this purpose, the carbon fiber (CF) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are used as nanofiller in the cementitious matrix to develop the self-sensing sensors. These sensors possess high strength, large elastic modulus, and piezo resistivity properties, which make them promising smart sensor materials for structural health monitoring applications. Two example applications involving the beam and column as the structural components are used for the experimentation. After embedding the sensors into the structural components, the response is evaluated in the form of resistance versus load. The self-sensing sensor is capable of detecting the nanostructural cracks during the loading of the system. Based on the severity of loading, the resistivity will indicate the damage state of the structural component which helps in deciding the suitable retrofitting strategies for the maintenance of the structural component to elongate the service life of the structures. The developed sensors also possess good mechanical and electrical properties and hence they have promising characteristics for real-time health monitoring applications.