This study presents a novel approach to assessing the setting time of concrete using the electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) sensing technique. The proposed method involves the continuous monitoring of EMI changes by embedding a piezoelectric (PZT) sensor directly in the concrete. A comparative analysis was conducted with the conventional penetration resistance test, which utilizes mortar samples extracted from the concrete. As a result of the experiment, the time deviation rate of the setting time was more than 10% in the penetration resistance test using the mortar sample extracted from the same concrete, whereas the time deviation rate of the setting time was up to 1.77% in the EMI sensing technique using the same concrete specimen. This highlights the effectiveness and potential of the EMI sensing technique for an improved evaluation of concrete setting time.
Keywords: concrete; electro-mechanical impedance; piezoelectricity; setting time.