Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Smart cities are cities that integrate infrastructure*and services to produce an efficient urban eco-system that integrates institutional,*physical, social and economic infrastructure through smart sensors and advanced*data-science. Concrete infrastructure in a Smart City must not only be safe and*sustainable, but must also integrate Internet of Things (IoT) and Information*and Communication Technology (ICT) to achieve operational efficiency,*cost-effective maintenance and end-of-life deconstructability. The primary*objective of this proposal is to contribute towards development of safe, sustainable,*and digitally-monitored concrete structures for Smart Cities. These objectives apply not only to new*construction, but also to deteriorated structure that need to regain their lost*capacity, as well as structures that are not deteriorated but still requires*strengthening against calamities such as earthquakes and fires. *This proposal focuses on development of highly*damage-tolerant materials that utilize principles of nanotechnology to depict self-healing,*smartness and low-carbon behavior and can be placed in structures using digitally*empowered processes such as 3-D printing. In doing so, the program strives to integrate cutting edge*discoveries in materials sciences, sensors and structural engineering. *The proposal focuses on two broad areas: FIRST:*It purports to develop a novel class of fiber reinforced concretes called Eco-Friendly*Ductile Cementitious Composites (EDCC) that are self-healing, durable, low-carbon,*and damage tolerant up to 6% strain. It is further proposed to modify matrices*in EDCC with nano-particles and reinforce them with co-extruded recycled fibers*from waste streams (such as tires) modified with hydrophilic and pozzolanic nano-coatings.* In one application, hollow fibers are*proposed as reinforcement in EDCC; fibers that can carry controlled release biocides*capable of fighting biogenic corrosion of concrete in sewer pipes. Both*quasi-static and impact and blast loading tests are proposed. Finally, it is proposed*to develop 3-D printing protocols to place EDCC. SECOND: It is proposed to*develop sensors based on smart EDCC carrying conductive carbon fibers and*carbon nano-tubes. These piezo-resistive sensors will be further developed for chemical,*biological, scour and blast monitoring. Finally*FOUR technology demonstration projects are proposed including rehabilitation of a sewer pipe with controlled biocide*release EDCC, seismic strengthening of a school using sprayed EDCC, 3-D*printing of a low cost house with EDCC and a defense shelter built using highly*impact/blast resistant EDCC. These will be monitored using novel sensors described above. *Over*the next five years, the proposed program of research is expected to provide a*total HQP training of 25 graduate student-years.*