Smart hybrid nano composite concrete embedded sensors for structural health monitoring

Abstract

Smart Hybrid Nano composite sensors are developed to diagnosing their own state of strain in which Nanomaterials used as conducting filler. Nanomaterial like carbon fibre (CF), multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNCT), and graphene have a unique property that they can change applied strain into electric resistance. Hence, they can be used as conducting filler in the cement matrix. The present study mainly concerns with developing smart hybrid Nano composite cement based sensors and implementation of these sensors for structural health monitoring by embedding sensors into structural components. Two different combinations of sensors are developed by inserting Nano materials (0.25 and 0.5% weight of cement of MWCNT, CF, and Graphene) into cement mortar matrix. The insertion of carbon Nano filler into base material makes them into sensitivity to mechanical modification. From the electromechanical test it indicates that both combination sensors show good strain sensing with respect to applied load and also it is observed that is increased in flexural strength about 30.08% for 0.5% combination. A flexural and compression test was conducted by embedding Nano composite cement based sensors into structural components. The test results shows the variation in resistance for both compression and flexural loading which indicates into self-sensing property of structural element by embedding sensors into them, hence it will be helpful in monitoring the structure.