Development of Self-Sensing Cement Composite Using Nanomaterials for Structural Health Monitoring of Concrete Columns – A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Abstract. Due to age, structural deterioration, and other factors, concrete constructions such as beams and columns will inevitably deteriorate. The growth of nanomaterials and recent advances in multidisciplinary research has broadened cement composites' applicability in various fields. A self-sensing cement composite can detect its own deformation, strain, and stress by changing its electrical characteristics, which may be measured with electrical resistivity. Carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon fiber, carbon black, and carbon nanotube, have a strong potential to increase cement composite's mechanical (strength) and electrical (resistivity, sensitivity) potentials due to their remarkable strength and conductivity. Due to the artificial integration of conductive carbon-based components will generate piezoresistive properties in typical cement composites, transforming them into self-sensing cement composites. As a result, the review focuses primarily on the development of nanoparticle-based self-sensing cement composites and their use in the health monitoring of structural columns. This research critically examines the materials used, fabrication techniques, strength, and sensing methodologies used to develop the self-sensing cement composite. The difficulties of commercializing self-sensing cement composites, as well as potential solutions, are also highlighted. According to the review, the difference in Poisson ratio and youngs modulus between the self-sensing cement composite and columns leads the self-sensing cement composite to have different strength and conductivity before and after embedding in columns. According to the study, the addition of conductive material diminishes the composite's workability due to its large specific surface area. Because of the well-distributed conductive network, the composite's resistivity is significantly lowered. The study also shows that the inclusion of a self-sensing cement composite has no bearing capacity influence on the column. Finally, according to the review, the self-sensing cement composite has the ability to monitor the health of structural columns.