About this Research Topic
Advanced structural materials to build infrastructure with improved and additional properties, including self-sensing functionality and the ability to respond to external environments, is emerging as a promising trend. This has led to extensive research into improved fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials and nanofiber-based, enhanced structural materials to explore their potential, innovative use in civil engineering and infrastructure.
In comparison to conventional materials, FRP and nanofiber-based materials can be combined with smart sensors to improve the self-sensing and self-healing functions of structures during the life cycles. The deformation and the performance/degradation of the structures in the service period can be recorded by the smart sensors, which can be used to predict the working state and the potential failure mode. It is a promising field to use the advantages of these advanced materials to realize smart structures with multiple functions. Although an increasing amount of research has been conducted, challenges and engineering demands remain, calling for further innovative exploration.
This Research Topic will focus on the new advances in theories, concepts, mechanisms, models, and practices related to smart materials and structures, addressing the challenging use of FRP and nanofiber-based materials and components in the application of intelligent infrastructures. Both original research and review article types are welcome. Themes of interests include but are not limited to:
• FRP components and structures to monitor the reinforcing effect and bearing capacity of base infrastructures
• Self-sensing FRP and nanofiber-based materials to measure parameters such as stress (or force), strain (or deformation), crack, damage, temperature, and pressure
• Self-healing FRP and nanofiber-based materials with the ability to repair microdamage (cracks and interfacial debonding) autogenously or autonomously
• Nanofiber based materials with the ability to effectively improve structural performance
• FRP and Nanofiber-based optical fiber sensors and components in infrastructure
In comparison to conventional materials, FRP and nanofiber-based materials can be combined with smart sensors to improve the self-sensing and self-healing functions of structures during the life cycles. The deformation and the performance/degradation of the structures in the service period can be recorded by the smart sensors, which can be used to predict the working state and the potential failure mode. It is a promising field to use the advantages of these advanced materials to realize smart structures with multiple functions. Although an increasing amount of research has been conducted, challenges and engineering demands remain, calling for further innovative exploration.
This Research Topic will focus on the new advances in theories, concepts, mechanisms, models, and practices related to smart materials and structures, addressing the challenging use of FRP and nanofiber-based materials and components in the application of intelligent infrastructures. Both original research and review article types are welcome. Themes of interests include but are not limited to:
• FRP components and structures to monitor the reinforcing effect and bearing capacity of base infrastructures
• Self-sensing FRP and nanofiber-based materials to measure parameters such as stress (or force), strain (or deformation), crack, damage, temperature, and pressure
• Self-healing FRP and nanofiber-based materials with the ability to repair microdamage (cracks and interfacial debonding) autogenously or autonomously
• Nanofiber based materials with the ability to effectively improve structural performance
• FRP and Nanofiber-based optical fiber sensors and components in infrastructure
Keywords: structural materials, FRP, nanofiber, optical fiber, enhanced function
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