PIEZORESISTIVE CEMENT – MAKING CEMENT AND CONCRETE A VALUABLE SENSOR TO TRACK THEIR PERFORMANCE

Author(s): Johann Plank and Cumaraswamy Vipulanandan
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on UHPC Materials and Structures (UHPC2018-China)
Editor(s): Caijun Shi and Baochun Chen
ISBN: 978-2-35158-219-0
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-220-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2018
Pages: 306-315
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: The set behavior and strength development of hydrating cement or concrete is commonly
tracked via the Vicat test, heat flow calorimetry or crushing tests of large specimens. It has
now been found that incorporation of an inorganic filler at only 0.1 wt.% concentration by
weight of cement and simple resistivity measurements using an LCR meter allows to collect
very important information. First, the electrical resistivity value of a cement sample can reveal
the water-to-cement ratio at which the paste, mortar or concrete were prepared. Second, as a
result of continuous release of ions into solution during the first 1-2 hours of hydration,
resistivity decreases until it reaches a minimum after which it increases, indicating the setting
of cement and the transition to a more dense structure (liquid/plastic to solid transition).
Moreover, from the difference between the resistivity after 24 hours and the minimum
resistivity the 28 day strength of the sample can be estimated using the Vipulanandan model.
Even wireless data transfer is possible with this new technology which makes it a powerful
tool in tracking concrete properties through a non-destructive, simple method.

Online publication : 2018
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00