Page 39 - ICJ Jan 2026

TECHNICAL PAPER

As an example, for the purpose of illustration, a RCC framed inputs to Artificial Intelligence (AI) program in cloud, which may
2
2
building having 2000 m floor area with a plot area of 1000 m further perform computation to obtain appropriate output for
[Floor Area Ratio (FAR 200 %)] and 40 % ground coverage is decision making. Further, the output may also go as input to
considered. The rough estimate of structural concrete for the some actuator in the construction element for corrective action.
3
building would be about 850 m . A typical mix proportion
of concrete used in a 5-storey building may be assumed as For example, an RCC element of a very important structure
cement content W C = 340 kg/m ; fly ash content W Fash = 140 kg/ in marine splash zone, can be embedded with water soluble
3
3
3
m ; water content W W = 160 kg/m ; Coarse aggregate content chloride sensors, that can detect chloride above threshold
3
W CA = 1070 kg/m and fine aggregate content W FA = 640 kg/ level and hence, can instantaneously sends a signal to cloud-
m , with super plasticizer 1 % by mass of cementitious material. based AI system as input. The AI system in turn, with Artificial
3
The IEE is calculated based on production and transportation Neural Network (ANN) or a predefined surrogate model, may
energy reported by Reddy and Jagadish based on actual data in be able to estimate the impressed current required to counter
Indian condition [95,99] and E CN as 5 % . Further, following values the possible active corrosion, when other inputs such concrete
[98]
are also assumed: FFR = 0.65, NCF = 1 for simplicity, average resistivity, amount of reinforcement etc. are predetermined.
ratio of cover depth to depth of the section equals to 0.1, the The output from the cloud-based model i.e., the quantum of
extent of repair e R to be 10 %. Intended design life considered impressed current, may be communicated through signal for
as 50 years in calculation and based on 2019 data EQF values instruction back to the element, to trigger the current flow in
for built-up area and forest land are used as 2.52 and 1.29 the embedded impressed current cathodic protection system.
[94]
respectively . With the assumed values N es works out to be The appropriate current density generated by the impressed
21 for 4 repairs during intended design life with service life of current device initiated automatically by signal from the IOT
10 years on an average for 10 % repair. With maintenance free and AI system, would protect the structure for a longer service
intended design life N es works out to be 19.5 years. N es depends life of the structural element, up to intended design life of
largely on IEE, and all other factors mentioned. The exercise is the structure. Other kind of advanced sensing, may be vision-
presented considering only concrete, without considering even based sensing with installed or movable video camera to detect
the contribution of reinforcement. The ratio of EFP to BC for developments of crack etc. and perform corrective actions; thus,
structure can be similarly calculated considering all the items in enabling automatic correction.
the building.
However, it is very difficult to predict the future as one does
Some research have been presented in this and previous not know with certainty the way scientific and technological
sections, the way forward perceived and potential research gap developments in any, or all fields of science expand the radius
are present at the end in the following sections. of the sphere of knowledge and information, that can bring
in positive changes in concrete composites. Thus, it would be
8. PERCEIVED GAPS AND WAY FORWARD simply audacity to attempt to predict any future possibility. It is
only the scientist like Nobel Laurette; Richard P. Feynman could
With regards to understanding of a system comprising of major
volume of natural, least processed material, many gaps persist. predict future development. The concept of nanotechnology
For example, determination ingredient proportions, i.e., mix prediction is attributed to Richard Feynman’s 1959 lecture-
proportioning is still empirical process due to lack of general “There’s Plenty of Room at The Bottom” and it is known to
[100]
equations relating performance requirements to design decision everyone the prediction came true .
variables e.g., cement etc. Estimation of maintenance frequency According to Dharap , concrete construction in India followed
[6]
and service life is in its infancy and so on. Better understanding with a lag, but that lag was small till 1970 but became large later.
of physics and physical sciences related to material, through Concrete construction technology is another potential area for
enhanced computational capability at atomic and molecular research and innovation; and needs attention of both academics
along with microlevel level heterogeneity, may possibly provide and industry.
the answers in future. Solid and fluid mechanics equations used
in continuum approach, ignoring particulate nature is more than
125 years old and needs generalization at particulate level at the REFERENCES
next level. Methods for determination of material coefficient, [1] Bhattacharjee, B. (2024). “Concrete composites of, and
e.g., hydraulic diffusivity, particle contact forces are currently for the millenniums”, Civil Engineering and Construction
inadequate, perhaps they would be appropriate research areas Review, Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 30-40.
in future.
[2] Abrams, D. A. (1919). “Design of concrete mixtures”,
Internet of things (IOT) with embedded sensors may be able to Bulletin-1, Structural Materials Research Laboratory, Lewis
provide feedback on some performances and may be used as Institute, Chicago, USA.

44 THE INDIAN CONCRETE JOURNAL | JANUARY 2026