SMART CONCRETE Smart concrete is a concrete that can take care of its own shortcomings - PowerPoint Presentation

1. SMART CONCRETESmart concrete is a concrete that can take care of its own shortcomings or that can act as a sensor to help detecting internal flaws in it. It is produced by incorporating some changes in the ingredients of the concrete mix. For instance:(i). Due to its high density, the high strength concrete does not permit water vapours to go out during fire, leading to spalling off concrete cover and damage to concrete members. Addition of 2 kg polypropylene fibres per Meter Cube of high strength concrete mix increases fire resistance. At high temperature during fire, these fibres melt and leave pores for water vapours to escape from the concrete surface, thus preventing spalling and damageii. Incorporation of 0.5 per cent specially treated carbon fibre in the concrete mix increases the electrical conductivity of the concrete. Under load, the conductivity decreases but returns to original on removal of the load. The concrete could thus act as a sensor to: (a) Measure the number, speed and weight of the vehicles moving on concrete highways, and (b) Detect tiny flaws regarding internal condition of concrete construction after an earthquake, andiii. Use of porous carbon aggregate, available in the form of coke at the steel plant, in the concrete mix imparts good electrical conductivity, which can help in room heating, melting of ice on concrete highway and runways by passing low voltage current.