Piezoresistive Performance Evaluation of Self-Sensing Concrete Using Conductive Admixtures for Structural Health Monitoring
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.5.3.4Keywords:
Self-sensing concrete, Piezoresistive behavior, Conductive admixtures, Structural Health Monitoring, Electrical resistivity, Hybrid conductive systemsAbstract
As an advanced smart material for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), self-sensing concrete (SSC) is now able to carry out structural and sensing duties in one. This paper looks at the piezoresistive qualities of SSC made with a range of conductive admixtures, from carbon black and graphite powder to steel fibers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene nanoplatelets. We set out to determine how electrical resistivity is affected by mechanical strain when the material is under load. To that end, we put together and tested various SSC mixes, measuring everything from their compressive and flexural strength to their electrical resistivity and overall sensing response.
Our data shows that these conductive fillers make for a much better conductor and piezoresistive performer than you would find in ordinary concrete. In particular, CNTs and graphene nanoplatelets stand out for their sensitivity, thanks to their high aspect ratio and the way they form an efficient conductive network. We also found that hybrid systems which pair nano and macro-scale fillers are the most robust, offering the best mix of conductivity stability, mechanical strength and repeatability under cyclic loading. There is a clear link between the resistivity readings and any strain variation, meaning one can reliably track deformation and cracks in real time. All in all, the study makes a case for SSC as a durable, intelligent option for the autonomous SHM systems of tomorrow’s infrastructure.
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