Self-sensing cement composites for structural monitoring: Behaviour under cyclic loading

The use of electrically conductive nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), has been shown to transform cement-based composites into self-sensing cement composites (SSCC) with inherent monitoring capabilities. These composites detect strain through piezoresistive response by measuring changes...

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Main Authors: Mendoza Reales Oscar, José Aguiar Junior Claudio, de Almeida Carísio Pedro, Teodósio Soares Carlos Fernando, Toledo Filho Romildo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2025-01-01
Series:MATEC Web of Conferences
Online Access:https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2025/03/matecconf_cs2025_01003.pdf
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author Mendoza Reales Oscar
José Aguiar Junior Claudio
de Almeida Carísio Pedro
Teodósio Soares Carlos Fernando
Toledo Filho Romildo
author_facet Mendoza Reales Oscar
José Aguiar Junior Claudio
de Almeida Carísio Pedro
Teodósio Soares Carlos Fernando
Toledo Filho Romildo
author_sort Mendoza Reales Oscar
collection DOAJ
description The use of electrically conductive nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), has been shown to transform cement-based composites into self-sensing cement composites (SSCC) with inherent monitoring capabilities. These composites detect strain through piezoresistive response by measuring changes in electrical resistance caused by mechanical loading. As a result, SSCC can be calibrated for use as sensors in concrete structures. However, due to their brittle nature, it remains unclear whether the electrical properties of SSCC remain constant after repeated mechanical loading. This study investigates the electrical response of SSCC fabricated with two CNT concentrations (0.50% and 1.00% by mass of cement) and subjected to varying sonication energies (5.5 kJ/gCNT, 27.5 kJ/gCNT, and 110 kJ/gCNT) in an aqueous medium. Cubic samples with embedded copper electrodes were prepared and cured for 28 days. After curing, the samples were dried and fitted with two strain gauges each. Compressive loading was applied in seven incremental regimes, ranging from 2 MPa to 40 MPa, with three loading cycles per regime. During the loading process, strain was recorded using the strain gauges, while electrical resistivity was measured through the copper electrodes, both monitored via a data acquisition system. The results revealed that all samples exhibited similar compressive strengths, irrespective of sonication energy or CNT concentration. In contrast, the elastic modulus increased with higher CNT concentrations and greater sonication energies. Under cyclic loading, all samples demonstrated linear behaviour up to the 10 MPa regime. It was concluded that SSCC calibration was preserved during cyclic loading within the elastic deformation range.
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spelling doaj-art-2fd985756c56480d96a4702b24892f022025-08-20T03:27:44ZengEDP SciencesMATEC Web of Conferences2261-236X2025-01-014090100310.1051/matecconf/202540901003matecconf_cs2025_01003Self-sensing cement composites for structural monitoring: Behaviour under cyclic loadingMendoza Reales Oscar0José Aguiar Junior Claudio1de Almeida Carísio Pedro2Teodósio Soares Carlos Fernando3Toledo Filho Romildo4Civil Engineering Program COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroCivil Engineering Program COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroCivil Engineering Program COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroDept. of Electronics and Computer Engineering POLI, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroCivil Engineering Program COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroThe use of electrically conductive nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), has been shown to transform cement-based composites into self-sensing cement composites (SSCC) with inherent monitoring capabilities. These composites detect strain through piezoresistive response by measuring changes in electrical resistance caused by mechanical loading. As a result, SSCC can be calibrated for use as sensors in concrete structures. However, due to their brittle nature, it remains unclear whether the electrical properties of SSCC remain constant after repeated mechanical loading. This study investigates the electrical response of SSCC fabricated with two CNT concentrations (0.50% and 1.00% by mass of cement) and subjected to varying sonication energies (5.5 kJ/gCNT, 27.5 kJ/gCNT, and 110 kJ/gCNT) in an aqueous medium. Cubic samples with embedded copper electrodes were prepared and cured for 28 days. After curing, the samples were dried and fitted with two strain gauges each. Compressive loading was applied in seven incremental regimes, ranging from 2 MPa to 40 MPa, with three loading cycles per regime. During the loading process, strain was recorded using the strain gauges, while electrical resistivity was measured through the copper electrodes, both monitored via a data acquisition system. The results revealed that all samples exhibited similar compressive strengths, irrespective of sonication energy or CNT concentration. In contrast, the elastic modulus increased with higher CNT concentrations and greater sonication energies. Under cyclic loading, all samples demonstrated linear behaviour up to the 10 MPa regime. It was concluded that SSCC calibration was preserved during cyclic loading within the elastic deformation range.https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2025/03/matecconf_cs2025_01003.pdf
spellingShingle Mendoza Reales Oscar
José Aguiar Junior Claudio
de Almeida Carísio Pedro
Teodósio Soares Carlos Fernando
Toledo Filho Romildo
Self-sensing cement composites for structural monitoring: Behaviour under cyclic loading
MATEC Web of Conferences
title Self-sensing cement composites for structural monitoring: Behaviour under cyclic loading
title_full Self-sensing cement composites for structural monitoring: Behaviour under cyclic loading
title_fullStr Self-sensing cement composites for structural monitoring: Behaviour under cyclic loading
title_full_unstemmed Self-sensing cement composites for structural monitoring: Behaviour under cyclic loading
title_short Self-sensing cement composites for structural monitoring: Behaviour under cyclic loading
title_sort self sensing cement composites for structural monitoring behaviour under cyclic loading
url https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2025/03/matecconf_cs2025_01003.pdf
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