UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 2 Research Projects

Project Number: CY2-LSU-10
Project Title: Durability Assessment of Self-Sensible Ultra High-Performance Concrete (S2UHPC) for Infrastructure Rehabilitation Under Extreme Weather Conditions
Performing Institution: Louisiana State University
Principal Investigator: Yen-Fang Su
Proposed Start and End Date: 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2025
Project Description: The degradation and aging of transportation infrastructure in the United States present pressing challenges that require immediate and innovative solutions. Extreme weather events strain these critical systems, underscoring the need for materials and technologies capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions while providing insights into structural health. Traditional methods of structural health monitoring often rely on complex sensor arrays, which, despite their reliability, face challenges in durability, compatibility with concrete, and high installation costs. These limitations hinder the widespread adoption of structural health monitoring solutions across large transportation infrastructure networks. This research proposes Self-Sensible Ultra High-Performance Concrete (S2UHPC) as an innovative material solution for infrastructure rehabilitation that addresses these limitations. S2UHPC combines the high durability and mechanical strength of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) with intrinsic self-sensing capabilities, eliminating the need for additional sensor installations. Through the integration of conductive fillers, this material exhibits piezoresistive behavior, allowing it to autonomously monitor structural health by detecting changes in electrical resistance due to applied stress or environmental factors. This self-sensing function provides a low-cost, durable alternative for monitoring critical structural elements under extreme weather conditions. The study focuses on assessing the durability and sensing performance of S2UHPC in environments subjected to varying temperature and humidity conditions to evaluate how S2UHPC can withstand and adapt to the demands of rehabilitated infrastructure in vulnerable regions. To further improve its sensing consistency while maintaining cost-effectiveness, low-cost milled carbon fibers are introduced into the mix, facilitating a percolation network that enhances conductivity and provides stable, reliable sensing results. By integrating these fillers, S2UHPC achieves a balance between structural resilience and self-sensing capability, positioning it as an ideal material for applications in large-scale transportation infrastructure.
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