A cement system that can sense changes in curing environment, contamination, temperature and pressure in real time and forward this information for analysis may one day replace the cement now used to hold an oil well’s metal casing in place after a borehole is drilled. The news was reported in Plant Engineering.

Developed by Cumaraswamy “Vipu” Vipulanandan, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of the Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology at the University of Houston, sensing properties are gained from adding piezo-resistive material to the cement. This material makes the cement 700 times more sensitive, giving it tactile response.

A typical cement casing is expected to stay in place for about 30 years or more. There is no way to know how it is holding up inside the well. Varying temperatures, high pressures and corrosive water can cause problems.

To process data from the smart cement, a "brain" must be developed. Two wires are placed in the cement to transmit changes in the well casing. Several laboratory tests are being performed to demonstrate the concept of real-time monitoring. A field test also is being planned at the UH Energy Research Park.

This concept can also be used to maintain and repair billions of dollars worth of infrastructure including highways, bridges, airports, buildings and pipelines.