Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Preparation of Aligned Steel Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composite and Its Flexural Behavior
Published on: June 27, 2018
Strength and Electrical Properties of Cementitious Composite with Integrated Carbon Nanotubes
Anna Lushnikova1, Olivier Plé1, Yago De Souza Gomes1
1Laboratoire Procédés Energie Batiment, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Unité Mixte de Recherche du CNRS 5271, Institut National de l'Energie Solaire, 73000 Chambéry, France.
Abstract:
The main objective of this work was to study the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the strength and electrical properties of cement mortar. Molecular dynamic simulations (MDSs) were carried out to determine the mechanical and electrical properties of a cementitious composite and its associated mechanisms. To model the atomic structure of a calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel, tobermorite 11Å was chosen. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) embedded in a tobermorite structure were tested numerically. In particular, it was concluded that a piezoelectric effect can be effectively simulated by varying the concentration levels of carbon nanotubes. The deformation characteristics were analyzed by subjecting a sample to an electrical field of 250 MV/m in the z-direction in a simulation box. The results indicated a progressively stronger converse piezoelectric response with an increasing proportion of carbon nanotubes. Additionally, it was observed that the piezoelectric constant in the z-direction, denoted by d33, also increased correspondingly, thereby validating the potential for generating an electrical current during sample deformation. An innovative experiment was developed for the electrical characterization of a cementitious composite of carbon nanotubes. The results showed that the electrostatic current measurements exhibited a higher electric sensitivity for samples with a higher concentration of CNTs.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Strength of Cement
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...
Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Tensile Strength Considerations of Concrete
The dimensions and shape of a concrete specimen...
Reinforcements in Concrete
Relation Between Tensile Strength and Compressive Strength of Concrete
Impact Strength of Concrete

