Research Projects

This proposal aims to identify suitable nano materials for retrofitting damaged structures, enhance the strength of the composite with suitable mineral admixtures, and fabricate a high-performance cementitious nano composite. The inclusion of nano materials in conductive cementitious matrix provides a new type of self-sensing composite, which can sense its own conditions like stress, strain, temperature, and damage. This smart material has the ability to assess its own damage and deformation, making it a smart material for health monitoring. The nano composites, such as carbon nano tubes and carbon fibers with graphene oxide admixed concrete, will be optimized for high conductivity and peizoresistivity. The nano materials will be dispersed using a super plasticizer and sonicated for effective dispersion. The conductivity of the material will be tested using the four-pole method. The composite will be tested for static and dynamic behavior by cyclic loading and point load. The optimized mix proportion will be achieved for maximum strength and stress/strain sensing. The project will deliver a low-cost self-sensing cementitious composite with appropriate nano materials and suitable mineral and chemical admixtures, as well as a structured process for damage analysis using the self-sensing composite.