Electro-mechanical impedance based monitoring for the setting of cement paste using piezoelectricity sensor

The evolution of the electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) of a piezoelectricity (PZT) sensor was investigated to determine the setting times of cement paste in this study. The PZT sensor coated with non-conductive acrylic resin was embedded in fresh cement paste and the EMI signatures were continuously monitored. Vicat needle test and semi-adiabatic calorimetry test were also conducted to validate the EMI sensing technique. Significant changes in the EMI resonance peak magnitude and frequency during the setting period were observed and the setting times determined by EMI sensing technique were relevant to those measured by Vicat needle test and semi-adiabatic calorimetry test.