19-10-2012, 04:21 PM
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
07 NANOTECHNOLOGY.doc (Size: 330 KB / Downloads: 70)
ABSTRACT
Decisive material properties can be deliberately improved by introducing characteristic structures on the nanometer scale. Nanotechnology encompasses the manipulation of the unique properties of matter existing at the “nanoscale”. Clusters of atoms and molecules exhibit properties quite different from those found at larger scales.
This discipline represents an opportunity to gain unprecedented insight into the unique phenomena existing at the nanoscale and to use that knowledge to engineer materials/devices with novel characteristics.
INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnology can be defined as:
• The ability to create materials, devices and systems, through control of matter in the nanoscale.
• The exploitation of properties and phenomena occurring at the nanoscale.
Nanotechnology is an umbrella term covering a wide range of technologies concerned with structures and processes on the nanometer scale. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter (10-9m), and marks a threshold where quantum physical effects increasingly play an important role.
Because of its potential to change fundamentally whole fields of technology, nanotechnology is regarded as a key technology which will not only influence technological development in the near future, but will also have decisive economic, ecological and social implications.
There is no generally recognised definition of nanotechnology to date. In a pragmatic approach the present report uses the following definition:
NANOSCALE SILICA FUMES
blast furnace slag, or superplasticizing chemicals. All can interact in strange ways and we need to understand quantitatively what is going on. Hence nanotechnology plays an important role in monitering the molecular level reactions that is going on between the various components of concrete with the time involved in each reaction in consideration.
SMART AGGREGATES AND MEMS
Electromagnetic finite element models are used to determine the range and spatial (area) resolution of wireless sensors embedded in concrete or soil under various conditions. Robust wireless embedded sensor, suitable for long term field monitoring of corrosion in rebar, particularly in bridge decks.
These Smart Aggregates sensors can be embedded throughout a structure during concrete construction, added right to the mix before placement. The system is made up of the Smart Aggregates and a data reader that can be mounted on a car or truck. The reader powers the aggregates as it passes over them and collects the sensor data onto a PC.