Edinburgh Napier University

  The work introduces textile based carbon structures that are functionalized with optical fibre sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM) of concrete based composites. The concept of the functionalized carbon reinforcement structure is shown in Fig. 1a. The optical fibre (that contains the sensors) is integrated directly during the manufacturing of the carbon reinforcement structure. Due to the grid nature of the manufactured carbon structure, a strong bond with the concrete matrix is established and hence any structural health changes of the carbon concrete composite, i.e. strain for instance, are transferred directly to the optical fibre sensor. Consequently, the new design of the functionalized textile carbon structure acts simultaneously as the reinforcement as well as the SHM system rendering it more practical and convenient for civil engineers to employ.