Smart concrete
Smart concrete technology offers an alternative method for monitoring the health of reinforced concrete structures. It was developed Dr. Deborah D.L. Chung from State University of New York at Buffalo, U.S. The unique benefit of smart concrete is that it is fortified by carbon fiber, which comprises as much as 0.2% to 0.5% of the volume. This can detect stress or strain in concrete structures before they fail. Smart concrete technology has undergone extensive laboratory testing, but is yet to hit the market.
It works by adding a small quantity of short carbon fiber to concrete with a conventional concrete mixer to modify the electrical resistance of the concrete in response to strain or stress. As a result, the contact between the fiber and cement matrix is impacted when the concrete is deformed or stressed, thereby affecting the volume electrical resistivity of the concrete. The strain is then determined by measuring the degree of electrical resistance. Smart concrete is capable of sensing very small structural flaws and hence finds application in checking the internal condition of structures, particularly after an earthquake.
One factor that may contribute to the global smart concrete market is the widespread use of concrete as a composite material and its inability to withstand tension. This necessitates monitoring for cracks to allow timely repair. Other methods to evaluate cracks are by attaching embedding sensors into structures. Sensors, however, cost more to install. Smart concrete is relatively cheaper.
The growth in the smart buildings market is likely to encourage the quick uptake of smart concrete. This is because in addition to their basic functionality of detecting minor cracks, smart concrete also helps to arrest the progress of cracks, reinforcing them to make them stronger. Further, it takes a lot of force for smart concrete to bend, and it is able to accept more energy before fracture.
Smart concrete can also find application in building highways able to detect the position, weight, and speed of vehicles.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Cellular concrete.
- Concrete.
- Concrete in aggressive ground (SD 1).
- Concrete-steel composite structures.
- Concrete repair mortars.
- Concrete superplasticizer.
- Glass reinforced concrete.
- Graphene-reinforced concrete.
- Precast concrete.
- Prestressed concrete.
- Reinforced concrete.
- Self-compacting concrete.
- Tilt up construction.
Featured articles and news
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.