Piezoresistance property of cement-based composites filled with carbon black and the application of it for strain sensing

Cement-based composite filled with nanophase carbon black (CCN) was found the promising strain sensor material candidate. Experimental results showed that temperature had obviously influence on the initial resistivity of CCN, but nearly no effect on the strain-sensing property of CCN. Resistivity of CCN decreases linearly upon compressive strain, and the strain gauge factors measured under various temperatures were all about 55. Strain sensor was made with CCN and applied in concrete beam for strain monitoring, the results monitored by CCN sensor agreed well with that of strain gauge. The results of this paper suggested CCN sensor a practicable strain sensor.