Piezoelectric Materials in Civil Engineering Applications: A Review

Area of Science:

• Civil Engineering
• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Piezoelectric materials are increasingly studied for smart construction.
• Their unique electromechanical properties are key to novel civil engineering applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent applications of piezoelectric materials in civil engineering.
• To discuss their properties and effectiveness in various structural contexts.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of piezoelectric material applications in civil engineering.
• Analysis of energy harvesting, control strategies, composite materials, and structural health monitoring.

Main Results:

• Piezoelectric materials are effective in energy harvesting for superstructures and substructures.
• Applications include cement mortar composites and advanced structural health monitoring systems.

Conclusions:

• Piezoelectric materials offer significant potential for enhancing civil engineering structures.
• Future research should further explore their integration and effectiveness.