Monitoring and estimate of concrete compressive strength in full curing period using smart piezoelectric modules

Abstract

Concrete compressive strength is a most important material performance index and can reflect the quality of a concrete material. An innovative test method is proposed for monitoring the development of concrete compressive strength during the full curing period using smart piezoelectric modules (SPMs). The proposed method overcomes shortcomings of traditional methods and can be used for non-destructive, real-time, continuous, in situ monitoring of concrete strength during the whole curing period. A series of experiments demonstrates the validity and effectiveness of the method using SPMs. The energy values of monitoring signals from SPMs is applied as a characteristic identification parameter for concrete compressive strength. The signal waveform and frequency suitable for monitoring concrete compressive strength are determined, and a standard test procedure using SPMs to monitor concrete compressive strength is defined. Finally, equations for correlating the signal energy ratio and compressive strength ratio of different grades of concrete (i.e., C30, C40 and C50) based on the SPM monitoring data are established. The compressive strength of concrete for the given curing age can be effectively predicted by the proposed method, and the established correlation equations can be applied to assess the concrete condition and strength in curing.