MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIAL PROPERTIES-BASED SMART CONCRETE STRUCTURAL SELF-SENSING (MMP-SCSS) TECHNOLOGY

The purpose of the proposed SBIR Phase II project is to perform innovative real-time Smart Concrete structural self-sensing and self-protection system/technique full-scale development. In addition to improved structural performance, Smart Concrete possesses multifunctional material characteristics, e.g., electrical resistivity and piezoresistivity, that can be used for diversified applications. The material multifunctional properties can be used for structural health monitoring (SHM), intrusion detection for facility and border security monitoring, cargo-truck weighing in motion for border traffic monitoring, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for signal intelligence-sensitive facility protection, etc. The proposed system/technology can be applied to the protection and preservation of military and commercial concrete infrastructures, e.g., military installation concrete facilities and bunkers, strategic concrete building structures, bridges, highways and their interchanges, dams, tunnels, etc. The life-cycle cost of Smart Concrete material is assessed to be far greater than conventional construction concrete material. Smart Concrete is emerging as the future construction material of choice. The subject Smart Concrete self-sensing and self-protection technology has a huge impact on nation’s infrastructure protection, and thus, will have a tremendous impact on our daily lives and society.