Innovative Developments of Advanced Multifunctional Nanocomposites in Civil and Structural Engineering

Innovative Developments of Advanced Multifunctional Nanocomposites in Civil and Structural Engineering focuses on nanotechnology, the innovation and control of materials at 100 nm or smaller length scales, and how they have revolutionized almost all of the various disciplines of science and engineering study.

In particular, advances in synthesizing, imaging, and manipulating materials at the nano-scale have provided engineers with a broader array of materials and tools for creating high-performance devices. Nanomaterials possess drastically different properties than those of their bulk counterparts mainly because of their high surface-to-mass ratios and high surface energies/reactivity. For instance, carbon nanotubes have been shown to possess impressive mechanical strength, stiffness, and electrical conductivity superior to that of bulk carbon.

Whilst nanotechnology has become deeply rooted in electrical, chemical, and materials engineering disciplines, its proliferation into civil engineering did not begin until fairly recently. This book covers that proliferation and the main challenges associated with the integration of nanomaterials and nano-scale design principles into civil and structural engineering.

Examines nanotechnology and its application to not only structural engineering, but also transportation, new infrastructure materials, and the applications of nanotechnology to existing structural systemsFocuses on how nanomaterials can provide enhanced sensing capabilities and mechanical reinforcement of the original structural materialAnalyzes experimental and computational work carried out by world-renowned researchers

1. Introduction to advanced nanocomposites in civil, structural, and construction engineering

Part One. Innovative developments of nano-engineered cementitious composites 2. Development of carbon nanofiber aggregate for concrete strain monitoring 3. Carbon nanofibers in cement composites: Mechanical reinforcement 4. Self-sensing of nano-carbon black concrete 5. Hybrid cementitious materials: Nanoscale modeling and characterization 6. Smart cement paste with carbon nanotubes 7. Tomographic imaging of cementitious materials

Part Two. Innovative developments of nano-engineered pavements 8. Nano carbon material–filled cementitious composites: Fabrication, properties, and application 9. Nanoclay modified asphalt 10. Mechanical and environmental resistance of nanoparticle-reinforced pavement materials 11. The self-heating carbon nanofiber polymer composite and its applications in deicing and snow thawing of pavement

Part Three. Innovative developments of nanocomposites for in situ damage detection and structural health monitoring 12. Sensing sheets based on large-area electronics and integrated circuits 13. Strain sensing and structural health monitoring using nanofilms and nanocomposites 14. In situ sensing in glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites via embedded carbon nanotube thin films 15. Strain-sensing smart skin: A noncontact optical strain sensor using single-walled carbon nanotubes 16. Future trends and directions