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Journal of Polymer & Composites Review Article Special issue

A Review on Integrated Acoustic Emission and Piezoelectric Sensing for Real-Time Damage Characterization of Polymer Composite-Enhanced Concrete: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspective

  1. Anand Muthusamy Department of Civil Engineering, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai
  2. Kalyana Chakravarthy P.R. Department of Civil Engineering, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai

Abstract

Polymer composite reinforced concrete has been identified as an efficient material system that can enhance the mechanical properties, durability, and service life of modern structures. The combination of fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs), polymer modifiers, and hybrid composite reinforcements increases structural effectiveness. However, these systems are still vulnerable to damage processes, including matrix cracking, fiber breaking, interfacial debonding, and delamination. Thus, there is a need for structural health monitoring (SHM) strategies that could ensure early identification and real-time evaluation of damage states in these structures. Among several approaches to SHM, acoustic emission (AE) and piezoelectric (PZT) methods have proven to be especially effective. AE monitoring allows detecting active damage events based on an evaluation of transient stress waves produced during crack formation and propagation. On the other hand, the use of PZT sensors makes it possible to identify damage locations using electromechanical impedance and guided wave measurements. This review gives a detailed analysis of the latest studies conducted in the area of AE and PZT-based sensing of damage in reinforced polymer composite concrete. Special focus is laid on damage detection in fiber-reinforced polymer composite concrete and polymer modified concrete systems. The principle, application, merits, and demerits of various types of damage-sensing techniques are thoroughly analyzed, followed by a discussion on hybrid damage detection strategies that use AE-PZT combinations. Latest trends in the development of intelligent damage detection using artificial intelligence, machine learning, data fusion, and digital twin techniques are also included. Future perspectives for research related to the next generation polymer composites are also addressed.

Keywords

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