Development and Application of Self-Sensing Materials for Structural Health Monitoring of Civil Engineering Infrastructures

This study examines advanced cementitious composites incorporating Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), combining experimental investigations and analytical modeling for enhanced Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications. The experimental phase assessed the electrical properties of specimens with varying MWCNT contents, identifying a percolation zone between 0.05 wt% and 0.5 wt%. A dispersion protocol using ultrasonic agitation and a surfactant ensured the uniform distribution of CNTs. Furthermore, a novel micromechanical model, based on established polymer matrix approaches, was used to predict electrical conductivity behavior, accounting for nanotube geometry, concentration, waviness, and tunneling effects. Model predictions confirmed its effectiveness in analyzing structure–property relationships in CNT-based cementitious materials.