Strain-sensing smart bricks under dynamic environmental conditions: Experimental investigation and new modeling

The paper presents a new generalized formulation of the electromechanical model of smart bricks, novel strain sensors for masonry structures, considering changes in temperature and humidity. Electromechanical tests are carried out on standard-sized smart bricks to experimentally validate the proposed theoretical model by exposing sensors to controlled changes in temperature and humidity while measuring their loaded and unloaded electrical response. Results demonstrate that temperature and humidity environmental fluctuations affect the electrical outputs of smart bricks and their sensitivity to the applied strain. Overall, the new electromechanical model properly describes the strain-sensing response of smart bricks under changing environmental conditions and is therefore suited for compensation purposes.