Rosa Penna

Concrete is extensively utilized in construction due to its affordability and stable performance. However, traditional concrete exhibits limitations such as low mechanical strength, reduced toughness, susceptibility to cracking, and poor durability, which can significantly shorten the lifespan of structures. Over extended periods, minor defects can escalate, leading to structural failures, especially under fatigue loads and environmental factors. Early detection of such issues is crucial to prevent catastrophic failures and ensure safety. 

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has emerged as a vital approach to assess the integrity of concrete structures in real-time. Traditional SHM methods, relying on external sensors, often face challenges like poor durability and compatibility issues with concrete. To address these challenges, self-sensing cement-based materials have been developed, integrating conductive fillers such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to enable inherent sensing capabilities. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 

Over the past two decades, significant advancements have been made in developing smart concrete with self-sensing abilities for infrastructure SHM systems. The incorporation of CNTs into concrete enhances its mechanical properties and electrical conductivity, facilitating the detection of stress and damage through changes in electrical resistance. However, challenges persist, particularly regarding the uniform dispersion of CNTs within the concrete matrix, as they tend to agglomerate due to strong van der Waals forces. Achieving consistent dispersion is critical for optimizing the performance of self-sensing concrete. 

Current research predominantly focuses on laboratory-scale studies, emphasizing macroscopic performance. To transition self-sensing concrete into practical applications, further in-depth theoretical and empirical investigations are necessary. Future research should aim to establish standardized dispersion methods for CNTs and explore large-scale implementations to fully harness the potential of self-sensing concrete in enhancing the safety and durability of civil engineering infrastructure.