Multifunctional Cement Composites Strain and Damage Sensors Applied on Reinforced Concrete (RC) Structural Elements

Materials

Francisco Javier Baeza¹  Oscar Galao¹  Emilio Zornoza¹ 

[1] Civil Engineering Department, Universidad de Alicante, Ctra. San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig 03690, Spain;

关键词: strain sensing;    cement composite;    carbon nanofibers;    CNF;    carbon fiber;    damage sensing;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma6030841

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

In this research, strain-sensing and damage-sensing functional properties of cement composites have been studied on a conventional reinforced concrete (RC) beam. Carbon nanofiber (CNFCC) and fiber (CFCC) cement composites were used as sensors on a 4 m long RC beam. Different casting conditions (in situ or attached), service location (under tension or compression) and electrical contacts (embedded or superficial) were compared. Both CNFCC and CFCC were suitable as strain sensors in reversible (elastic) sensing condition testing. CNFCC showed higher sensitivities (gage factor up to 191.8), while CFCC only reached gage factors values of 178.9 (tension) or 49.5 (compression). Furthermore, damage-sensing tests were run, increasing the applied load progressively up to the RC beam failure. In these conditions, CNFCC sensors were also strain sensitive, but no damage sensing mechanism was detected for the strain levels achieved during the tests. Hence, these cement composites could act as strain sensors, even for severe damaged structures near to their collapse.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.