In the heart of India’s bustling industrial landscape, researchers at Sharda University are turning electronic waste into a valuable resource for the construction industry. Gaurav Kumar, a civil engineering expert from the university’s Greater Noida campus, has been leading a groundbreaking study that could revolutionize how we monitor and utilize concrete in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy sector.
Kumar and his team have been exploring the potential of electronic waste (E-waste) as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in concrete. But their innovation doesn’t stop at recycling. They’ve developed a passive sensing approach using piezo sensors to monitor the hydration process and strength development of E-waste concrete in real-time. This could be a game-changer for construction projects, especially those in the energy sector where the integrity of structures is paramount.
The team embedded piezo sensors within conventional and E-waste concrete cubes to track changes during hydration and various stages of compressive strength development. Simultaneously, they conducted destructive analysis to measure compressive strength. The results were striking. With just a 15% replacement of coarse aggregate with E-waste, the compressive strength of E-waste concrete decreased by only 8.15% after 28 days. This slight reduction in strength is a small price to pay for the environmental benefits and potential cost savings.
“The piezo sensors effectively captured the changes during hydration and different stages of compressive strength development,” Kumar explained. “This real-time monitoring can help us predict the performance of concrete structures more accurately, leading to safer and more efficient construction practices.”
The study, published in the journal Cleaner Materials, which translates to ‘Cleaner Building Materials’ in English, used statistical indices like root mean square deviation (RMSD) and mean absolute percentage deviation (MAPD) to quantify the electro-mechanical impedance signatures. The findings revealed that early-age strength development is significantly higher in both conventional and E-waste concrete, a trend observed in both the passive sensing approach and destructive analysis.
So, what does this mean for the future of construction, particularly in the energy sector? For one, it opens up new avenues for recycling E-waste, reducing the environmental impact of both the electronics and construction industries. Moreover, real-time monitoring of concrete strength could lead to more efficient construction schedules, reduced material waste, and ultimately, cost savings.
Imagine a future where every concrete structure in a power plant or wind farm is equipped with these smart sensors, continuously monitoring their health and sending data back to a central system. This could enable predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and repair costs. It could also lead to the development of new types of concrete, optimized for specific applications and monitored in real-time.
Kumar’s work is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research. By combining civil engineering, materials science, and electronics, he and his team have opened up new possibilities for sustainable construction. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and resource depletion, such innovations will be crucial in building a more sustainable future. The energy sector, with its massive infrastructure needs, could be one of the first to benefit from these advancements.