Toward Smart Sustainable Infrastructure: Piezoelectric Sensing with Low-Carbon Cementitious Materials
Supervisor Name
Abdelrahman Hamdan
Supervisor Email
aihamdan@birzeit.edu
University
Birzeit University
Research field
Civil Engineering
Bio
I currently work as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Birzeit University and hold a PhD from UNSW Sydney. I previously worked as postdoc research associate at Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University. My research focuses on designing durable, low-carbon, and multifunctional cementitious materials. I use advanced characterization techniques, including neutron and synchrotron X-ray scattering, to understand how the internal structure of materials influences their mechanical, durability, and rheological performance.
Description
Concrete forms the backbone of modern infrastructure, yet the substantial CO₂ emissions associated with cement production highlight the need for more sustainable alternatives. In addition, integrating new functionalities such as piezoelectricity into concrete could enable the development of next-generation self-sensing infrastructure. Piezoelectric concrete could generate electrical signals under mechanical stress, offering opportunities for load sensing and, potentially, mechanical energy harvesting. This project aims to explore piezoelectric behavior in conventional cementitious materials and lower-carbon alternatives. A reproducible testing protocol will be developed to measure electrical potential differences across specimens subjected to sinusoidal compression. The study will compare ordinary Portland cement-based materials, alkali-activated materials, and limestone calcined clay cement, examining how binder composition and loading conditions influence the binder piezoelectric response. Furthermore, nanoparticles may also be evaluated for their potential to enhance the electrical response. The findings will inform the development of multifunctional concrete and provide a foundation for future assessment of self-powered monitoring systems.