Prompting in situ testing and monitoring of civil engineering infrastructure using special lectures and exhibitions

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The durability of building materials, such as stone and concrete, depends on their porosity and permeability; that is, if they are highly porous and permeable, gas and water can penetrate through them, which can lead to different types of deterioration of the material. Through a series of computer animations, it is intended to demonstrate the concept of packing density of materials and its influence on the penetrability characteristics and, the resulting, durability performance, such as corrosion, freeze-thaw scaling and salt-induced disintegration. These computer displays will be accompanied by physical exhibits, to illustrate the usefulness of in situ testing and monitoring the behaviour using embedded sensors. The working principle of sensors will be illustrated using these exhibits, which are intended to stimulate an interest on the physics of material behaviour in undergraduate students in Science and Engineering and an awareness amongst engineers and professionals in the construction industry on how to ensure sustainable and durable construction materials.