Alternating Magnetic Field Effect on Fine-aggregate Concrete Compressive Strength

- Devising a specialized test setup comprising gapped magnetic circuit.
- Increase in compressive strength by 7.78% due to exposing hardened concrete to AMF.
- A marginal effect of exposing fresh concrete to AMF on the compressive strength.
- The ability of this method as a base for a new generation of smart structures.

An exploratory investigation was conducted into the feasibility of using Alternating Magnetic Field (AMF) to enhance concrete compressive strength and to invent a new actuators system in smart structures. Hence, some small-scale experiments were performed on cube fine aggregate concrete specimens, wherein the effect of applying AMF of density 0.5 Tesla (T) and frequency 50 Hz to ready mixed and hardened concrete on the compressive strength was examined. Besides, the role of the direction of AMF applied to ready mixed concrete in changing its physical behavior was evaluated. For exposing the specimens to AMF, a specialized magnetic circuit was designed. It was observed that applying AMF to fresh concrete has a marginal effect on compressive strength. But, exposing hardened concrete enhanced the compressive strength up to 7.78%. The advantage of this effect was discussed theoretically from different aspects. It was found that this method can be a base for behavior controlling of large-scale smart concrete structures in real time, through adjusting element stiffness by AMF. Finally, the feasibility of this method for large-scale RC structures was explained, giving a graphical example.

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