Projeto de sensores DGS para o monitoramento de umidade em materiais de construção civil

Abstract

Precise humidity control is crucial in the construction industry to ensure the durability of materials and prevent potential structural problems. The realization of the intrinsic limitations of conventional approaches to moisture analysis in materials used in construction instigates the search for more effective and accurate solutions. In this study, the analysis and development of planar structures is carried out using the defect ground structure (DGS) technique and two-port resonator, for sensing applications. The proposed sensors are based on a modified Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) structure. The operating principle consists of varying the resonance frequencies of the studied elements when the relative permittivity of the material under test (MUT) is changed. The effectiveness of the sensors is proven through the analysis of materials with previously known dielectric constants, validating their applicability. The main focus of this project is determining the moisture content in four different types of aggregates, in addition to monitoring water loss in six test specimens made of mortar with different traits. Calibration curves were proposed for each designed DGS sensor, validating its effectiveness with an average error of just 2.08%. The prototypes were manufactured and the measurement results were compared with previous studies, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the presented sensor. This work contributes significantly to the advancement of moisture monitoring in construction materials, providing a reliable tool for the industry.