Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced cementitious composites for structural self-sensing purpose: A review

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is one of the most commonly employed functional nanomaterials in self-sensing cementitious composite due to its excellent stress sensitivity, high strength, and strong binding force. Mixing CNT in concretes can enhance the electrical, thermal, and mechanical coupling properties of the structure, so as to realize the response and perception of stress and strain. CNT reinforced cementitious composites have advantages of excellent sensing performance, strong structural integrity, long service life, and easy installation and maintenance. So it has been widely concerned to produce inteligient engineering materials around the world. This paper reviews the material composition and preparation method of CNT incorporated in cement composites for structure sensing, as well as the collection and analysis of electrical signals and the application of self-sensing composite. In addition, the conduction mechanism and common sensing models are also introduced, and the existing problems and future research prospects are briefly outlined.