Tensoresistive PVC Coating for Sensor-Enabled Geogrids

Abstract

A study has been conducted to develop a new generation of geosynthetic materials based on the tensoresistivity of polymers filled with electrically conducting particles. These materials, called sensor-enabled geosynthetics (SEGs), allow their tensile strains to be measured without the need for conventional instrumentation (e.g., strain gauges). This paper reports a recent SEG development in which tensoresistive composites made of carbon black–filled plasticized PVC were formulated for the coating of polyester yarns, which are commonly used in commercially manufactured geogrids. Hence, the resulting geogrids are termed sensor-enabled geogrids (SEGGs). The effectiveness of three different blending methods to form the tensoresistive composites was examined by using the statistical consistency of the corresponding electrical conductivity results. The viscosity and stiffness of the resulting materials were measured to evaluate their pliability for industrial production purposes. In addition, a series of tensile and tensoresistivity tests was conducted on tensoresistive coating specimens to study their tensile properties and strain-sensitivity responses. Results of the study show that the coating material is suitable to measure tensile strains in geogrids.