The usage of smart materials for skin-diagnostics of building structures while their monitoring

Abstract

This study investigates the usage of smart materials for skin-diagnostics with the view of monitoring of building structures parameters characterizing their mode of deformation. The method is based on changes in electrical resistance of the smart coat owing to external influences. Conductivity achieving was performed by introducing of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the initial material. Composites on the basis of sodium silicate, epoxy resin, acrylic and cement have been worked out. Resistivity-number of CNTs dependence was obtained for sodium silicate and epoxy resin. The evaluation of the uniformity of the CNTs distribution in the bulk of samples by simple mechanical mixing was executed. The influence of the measurement of the electrical resistance by direct and alternating current was checked.