A planar DGS sensor for moisture analysis in civil construction aggregates

Abstract

The need for effective methods for analyzing water content in aggregates used in construction materials is important to ensure durability and structural excellence. The realization of the intrinsic limitations of conventional approaches to moisture analysis in aggregates instigates the search for more effective and precise solutions, especially in samples with varying percentages of water. This study innovates by presenting a compact device, using the Defect Ground Structure (DGS) technique, for the precise determination of the water content in aggregates used in civil construction. The proposed sensor is based on a modified Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) structure, operating at a resonance frequency of 2.38 GHz. The operating method consists of measuring aggregated samples with different percentages of water to establish an equation relating the resonance frequency to the water content of the material. The results indicate an effective analysis of moisture in aggregated samples, with an average sensitivity of 1.83% and reduced error levels with an average of 2.01%, validating the potential of this sensor to contribute significantly to advances in the area and improving precision and reliability in determination of water content in aggregates used in construction materials.