Self-sensing capabilities in steel fiber-reinforced concrete for shrinkage resistance and structural health monitoring
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Shrinkage-induced cracking compromises concrete durability, while structural health monitoring typically requires external sensors. This study demonstrates that steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) can simultaneously mitigate shrinkage and enable intrinsic self-sensing. Sixteen beam specimens (C30 and C35) were cast with 50 mm and 60 mm steel fibers (SF) at dosages of 0.19%, 0.26%, 0.32%, and 0.38%. Shrinkage strain and fractional change in resistance (FCR) were monitored for 180 days and 72 h, respectively. Results shows that 60 mm SF at 0.38% reduced 180-day shrinkage strain by up to 38%. C30 beams with 50 mm SF exhibited peak FCR values of 181%, whereas C35 beams with 60 mm SF reached 128%. A strong positive correlation (R² = 0.90-0.98) was observed between FCR and shrinkage strain, confirming reliable self-sensing capability. The FCR rate of change decreased from 0.998%/h to 0.303%/h with higher SF dosage and length, indicating improved early-age stability. These findings confirm that optimized SFRC mixtures offer dual functionality which are effective in shrinkage control and real-time health monitoring, making them ideal for applications like industrial floors and tunnel linings where crack resistance and self-diagnosis are critical.
Source: Scientific Reports
Institutions: Dalian University of Technology, State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, North Dakota State University, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shenzhen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Durability for Marine Civil Engineering, Jouf University
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W4416765640