Nondestructive Real‐Time Monitoring of Cementitious Mortar Hydration and Fracture Behaviour Using an Embedded Passive Radio‐Frequency Metamaterial Sensor
STRUCTURAL CONTROL AND HEALTH MONITORING, ss.1-30, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1155/stc/8238877
- Dergi Adı: STRUCTURAL CONTROL AND HEALTH MONITORING
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Scopus, Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest), Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Compendex, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-30
- Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Kuzey Kıbrıs Kampüsü Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study investigates the use of an embedded passive radio-frequency (RF) metamaterial sensor for real-time, nondestructive monitoring of cement mortar during early-age curing and uniaxial compression. The sensor was embedded centrally within a mortar cube and protected by a polyethylene terephthalate isolation layer, and then monitored with a calibrated vector network analyser (VNA) during a 7-day water-curing period, followed by mechanical loading. Key electromagnetic features, including resonance frequency (fr), quality factor (Q) and resonance-minimum magnitude (|S11,min|), showed time-dependent changes consistent with independently measured responses to setting, curing and mechanical loading. Logarithmic models were developed for Q(t) and |S11,min|, enabling the formulation of normalised indices for preliminary assessments, such as candidate demoulding readiness. During compression of the tested specimen, the RF response showed a gradual decrease in resonance depth within the elastic region, increased asymmetry during prepeak loading and significant broadening of the spectrum near peak stress. A tiered alert framework was implemented based on changes in ΔS magnitude and rate, providing advisory, warning and critical flags that aligned with mechanical events. The dominant resonance remained quantitatively trackable through peak and early postpeak loading, whereas the final fracture-stage response was interpreted qualitatively. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using an embedded RF metamaterial resonator as a compact proof-of-concept approach for monitoring hydration-related dielectric evolution and load-associated spectral changes in cementitious materials.