ELECTRETE | 2020
WHAT IS THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTRIC FIELDS ON THE STRUCTURE, PROPERTIES AND BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE?
Concrete forms the backbone of built environments, as it provides reliable structural performance at a reasonable cost. However, in many practical situations, concrete is susceptible to degradation effects and damage.
The degradation and damage of concrete have tremendous impacts on its durability. This evidence customarily requires repairs or demolitions of structures made of concrete, amplifying the cost of built projects and the carbon footprint of the concrete industry.
Electric fields applied to concrete lead to a variety of phenomena that originate from a movement of the ions present in the water characterizing such materials. This ionic movement, together with the associated phenomena, can be engineered for improving the properties and behavior of concrete through structural modifications.
Through the previous effects, techniques and technologies resorting to the application of electric fields to degraded or damaged concrete can unprecedentedly extend the lifetime of structures and infrastructures. In turn, this disruptive approach has the ability to limit the carbon footprint of the concrete industry and its impact on the environment.
Through the previous effects, techniques and technologies resorting to the application of electric fields to degraded or damaged concrete can unprecedentedly extend the lifetime of structures and infrastructures. In turn, this disruptive approach has the ability to limit the carbon footprint of the concrete industry and its impact on the environment.
Project team
 Alessandro F. Rotta Loria Associate Professor |
 Deepanshu Shirole Postdoctoral Researcher |
Project team
Alessandro F. Rotta Loria Associate Professor |
Deepanshu Shirole Postdoctoral Researcher |
Journal publications
→ Shirole, D., Volpatti, G, Guerini, A., Zampini, D., Cusatis, G. and Rotta Loria, A. F. (2023) Effects of electrodeposition in concrete mediated by electric currents of variable polarity. Cement and Concrete Research 172: 107254.
→ Rotta Loria, A. F., Shirole, D., Volpatti, G, Guerini, A. and Zampini, D. (2023) Engineering concrete properties and behavior through electrodeposition: a review. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 53: 193— 215.