PSI - Issue 83

Henry Ssenyonjo et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 83 (2026) 47–56

55

8. Conclusions The review explores the emerging field of SS-UHPC. The dense matrix and superior mechanical properties of UHPC make it an attractive base material for smart structures. The incorporation of metallic fibres, primarily steel, provides an intrinsic conductive network that synergistically enhances both mechanical ductility and piezoresistive sensitivity. Major challenges for metallic fibre systems include ensuring long-term durability against corrosion, achieving uniform dispersion of supplementary conductive fillers, and the high cost of the composite system. Future research should focus on corrosion-resistant metallic alloys, optimized hybrid systems combining steel fibres with nanoscale carbon materials to enhance sensitivity, and large-scale field trials. By addressing these challenges, SS UHPC can evolve into a highly sensitive and reliable material for next generation smart infrastructure, enabling continuous SHM and enhanced structural safety. References Ahmed, S., Hussain, A., Hussain, Z., Pu, Z., Ostrowski, K. A., & Walczak, R. (2021). Effect of carbon black and hybrid steel-polypropylene fibre on the mechanical and self-sensing characteristics of concrete considering different coarse aggregates’ sizes. Materials , 14 (23). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14237455 Gopalakrishnan, K., Birgisson, B., Taylor, P. C., & Attoh-Okine, N. (2011). Nanotechnology in Civil Infrastructure . https://doi.org/10.1007/978 3-642-16657-0 Chen, B., Liu, J., & Wu, K. (2005). Electrical responses of carbon fibre reinforced cementitious composites to monotonic and cyclic loading. Cement and Concrete Research , 35 (11), 2183–2191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2005.02.004 Cheng, Y., Diao, S., Hanif, A., Parthasarathy, P., & Li, Z. (2020). Development and application of a novel low-cost capacitive sensor for accurate rebar position detection. Construction and Building Materials , 257 , 119506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119506 Cheng, Y., Hanif, A., Chen, E., Ma, G., & Li, Z. (2018). Simulation of a novel capacitive sensor for rebar corrosion detection. Construction and Building Materials , 174 , 613–624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.04.133 Chiarello, M., & Zinno, R. (2005). Electrical conductivity of self-monitoring CFRC. Cement and Concrete Composites , 27 (4), 463–469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2004.09.001 Chun, B., & Yoo, D. Y. (2019). Hybrid effect of macro and micro steel fibres on the pullout and tensile behaviours of ultra-high-performance concrete. Composites Part B: Engineering , 162 , 344–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.11.026 Demircilioğlu, E., Teomete, E., Schlangen, E., & Baeza, F. J. (2019). Temperature and moisture effects on electrical resistan ce and strain sensitivity of smart concrete. Construction and Building Materials , 224 , 420–427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.091 Elseady, A. A. E., Lee, I., Zhuge, Y., Ma, X., Chow, C. W. K., & Gorjian, N. (2023). Piezoresistivity and AC Impedance Spectroscopy of Cement-Based Sensors: Basic Concepts, Interpretation, and Perspective. In Materials (Vol. 16, Issue 2). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020768 Guo, L., Wu, J., & Wang, H. (2020). Mechanical and perceptual characterization of ultra-high-performance cement-based composites with silane-treated graphene nano-platelets. Construction and Building Materials , 240 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117926 Han, B., Ding, S., & Yu, X. (2015). Intrinsic self-sensing concrete and structures: A review. In Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation (Vol. 59, pp. 110–128). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2014.09.048 Han, B., Guan, X., & Ou, J. (2007). Electrode design, measuring method and data acquisition system of carbon fibre cement paste piezoresistive sensors. Sensors and Actuators, A: Physical , 135 (2), 360–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2006.08.003 Han, B., Yu, X., & Ou, J. (2014). Sensing Properties of Self-Sensing Concrete. In Self-Sensing Concrete in Smart Structures (pp. 95–162). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-800517-0.00005-8 Han, B., Yu, X., Zhang, K., Kwon, E., & Ou, J. (2011). Sensing properties of CNT-filled cement-based stress sensors. Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring , 1 (1–2), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13349-010-0001-5 Han, J., Pan, J., Cai, J., & Li, X. (2020). A review on carbon-based self-sensing cementitious composites. Construction and Building Materials , 265 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120764 Hou, Y. yu, Sun, M. qing, & Chen, J. zhong. (2022). Electrical resistance and capacitance responses of smart ultra-high-performance concrete with compressive strain by DC and AC measurements. Construction and Building Materials , 327 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127007 Kim, M. K., Al-Qaralleh, M. A., & Chung, D. D. L. (2024). Strong piezoresistivity and piezopermittivity of cement-based material without functional admixture and their correlation. Cement and Concrete Composites , 151 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2024.105587 Lee, S. H., Kim, J. H., Han, S. J., Yi, S. T., & Kim, K. S. (2024). Self-sensing capability of ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete with multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Journal of Building Engineering , 86 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108972 Li, H., Xiao, H., & Ou, J. (2008). Electrical property of cement-based composites filled with carbon black under long-term wet and loading condition. Composites Science and Technology , 68 (9), 2114–2119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.03.007 Li, L., Wei, H., Hao, Y., Li, Y., Cheng, W., Ismail, Y. A., & Liu, Z. (2023). Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced cementitious composites for structural self-sensing purpose: A review. In Construction and Building Materials (Vol. 392). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131384 Li, Z., CHENG, Y., & Hanif, A. (2018). Development of a flexible capacitive sensor for concrete structure health monitoring. In H. Sohn (Ed.), Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2018 (Issue March, p. 156). SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2306201 Li, Z., Xiao, L., & Wei, X. (2006). Determination of Concrete Setting Time Using Electrical Resistivity Measurement .