Magneto-Electric Control of Scaled-Down Reinforced Concrete Beams

A novel feasibility study was launched into real-time structural behavior controlling and improving properties of flexural reinforced concrete (RC) members, using alternating magnetic field (AMF) and alternating current (AC) electricity of different intensities. Hence, a strong AMF of 0.5 tesla (T) was directly applied to some small-scale RC beams in both pasty and solid phases. To allow for better discussion about the effect of AMF, some compressive cube plain concrete (PC) specimens were prepared and exposed to AMF at the same stages as the RC beams were. Then the results were compared and they were found to correlate with each other. Also, the effect of applying AC of different intensities up to 36 ampere (A) to the steel reinforcement system of RC beams was evaluated. It was observed that applying AMF in pasty phase facilitates concrete placing process for RC structures but it has a marginal effect on structural properties of RC beams. As to solid phase, applying AMF to hardened RC beams affected their structural properties such as load-bearing capacity, deflection, bending stiffness, and ductility during the loading history. Regarding AC, ductility of RC beams was found to increase with increase in current intensity, following a cubic function. The results can be a base for construction of a new generation of smart structures through magnetic fields and electric currents.