Performance evaluation of graphite-integrated smart-engineered cementitious composite for health monitoring of structural components

Abstract

This research explores the electro-mechanical characteristics of graphite powder (GP) integrated Self-Sensing Cement Composite (SCC). In addition to the development, the created SCC is used in beams and columns to evaluate their structural performance under flexural and compressive load, respectively. Field Element Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis is conducted to examine the morphological characteristics of the optimized SCC. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is used to examine the formation of chemical constituents responsible for the property variation. The research findings indicate that the resistivity of composites containing 25% GP is lowered by 43.90%. Due to the hydrophilicity between GP and cement, the strength of SCC is lowered as the concentration of GP increases. The SCC embedded in the flexural zone of beams has the capacity to detect deformation with an accuracy of 98%. The electrical resistivity of SCC in columns rapidly decreases with increasing deflection as a result of SCC compression, indicating that SCC can monitor column deformation with an efficiency of about 96% up until the elastic regime. After characterization, strength, and resistivity evaluations, GP is finally validated as a promising material for SCC development and application in structural health monitoring.