PSI - Issue 78

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ScienceDirect

Procedia Structural Integrity 78 (2026) 1815–1822

© 2025 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of XX ANIDIS Conference organizers Keywords: Smart sensors and monitoring systems; carbon-based fillers; lime mortar; structural health monitoring; carbon microfibers; damage detection; carbon nanotubes; bending tests 1. Introduction Lime mortars are commonly associated with historical heritage preservation (Groot et al. (2022); Malathy et al. (2023); Parra-Fernández & Arizzi (2025)), typically used in localized interventions or the reconstruction of segments in traditional structures (Lanas & Alvarez-Galindo (2003)). Although their mechanical performance is generally inferior to that of cement-based mortars, limiting their application in structurally demanding contexts, they remain a Abstract This study presents an experimental investigation into the multifunctional properties of lime-based mortars enhanced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and chopped carbon microfibers (CCMFs), aiming to develop self-sensing materials for the structural rehabilitation of culturally and historically valuable buildings. The research focuses on the electrical and electromechanical behavior of mortars with varying conductive filler types to evaluate their self-monitoring capabilities. Mechanical loading tests, supported by Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technology, were conducted to assess the materials ability to detect crack initiation and propagation through changes in electrical resistivity. The fibers not only confer conductivity-based strain sensing capabilities to the otherwise non-conductive lime matrix, but their overpercolation decreases strain sensitivity and facilitates crack or damage detection. The ultimate goal is to create a restoration material that not only strengthens masonry structures but also enables continuous health monitoring, particularly valuable during seismic events. This approach contributes to more resilient and informed conservation practices by embedding smart sensing capabilities directly into repair materials. XX ANIDIS Conference Damage-sensitive lime mortars with carbon nanotubes and carbon microfibers for earthquake monitoring of historic masonry Israel Sousa a , Antonella D’Alessandro a *, Daniel Andrés Triana-Camacho a , Filippo Ubertini a a Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, 93 06125 Perugia (PG) Italy

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +39-075-5853910; fax: +39-075-5853897. E-mail address: antonella.dalessandro@unipg.it

2452-3216 © 2025 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of XX ANIDIS Conference organizers 10.1016/j.prostr.2025.12.231