Structural Monitoring and Remote Testing – SMART
The SMART Group is an interdisciplinary research group comprising researchers from several fields, including analytical chemistry, applied physics, architectural construction, construction engineering, electronic technology, mechanical engineering, and materials science.
Its main research activities focus on the development of electrochemical sensors and techniques for studying corrosion in reinforced concrete structures, as well as on the characterisation and durability assessment of reinforced concrete. The group also designs and implements smart systems based on Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for infrastructures and heritage buildings, enabling the remote, continuous, and real-time monitoring of physical and chemical parameters. The SMART Group holds several licensed patents related to sensors and structural monitoring and participates in numerous competitive research projects, technology transfer projects with companies, and collaborative initiatives with public administrations.
CV Prof. José Manuel Gandía Romero
José Manuel Gandía Romero, Ph.D. in Architecture, Building, Urban Planning and Landscape. His research focuses on the durability of reinforced concrete structures and the development of sensors and systems to evaluate these processes.
The main achievement of the group in which he conducts his research is the development of innovative methodologies to assess the initiation and propagation stages of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures.
He has high-impact publications related to this line of research (15 Q1, 11 Q2, and 1 Q3, h-index = 11) and has achieved significant technology transfer. He has participated in more than 15 competitive projects, serving as Principal Investigator (PI) on two of them.
He is a co-author of 6 patents, 2 of which have been licensed, in which these technologies are applied to IoT solutions for structures in service. He has also led contracts with leading companies in the sector, including Acciona and R&D Concretes.
Research Lines
Monitoring and control of processes affecting the durability of reinforced concrete structures
Development of sensors for monitoring corrosion in reinforced concrete structures.
Current inhibition techniques in reinforced concrete structures.
Highlighted Funding
Seguridad y durabilidad de estructuras críticas de hormigón armado mediante sensores inteligentes: predicción, prevención y control de procesos de corrosión. CPP2023-010657.Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) – Colaboración Público-Privada (CPP). 2024–2027. Manuel Octavio Valcuende Payá
Detección, evaluación e inhibición inteligentes de la corrosión en estructuras de hormigón armado de nueva planta con un sistema de control potenciostático. PAID-11-25.Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). 2026–2027. Isabel Gasch
Evaluación del periodo de iniciación de la corrosión: cuantificación del contenido de cloruros en estructuras de hormigón mediante sistema sensor voltamétrico (INICORR). PAID-06-25. Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). 2026–2027. Ana Martínez-Ibernón.
Reparación y control de estructuras de hormigón armado existentes mediante sensores embebidos. CIGE/2024/4. Generalitat Valenciana. 2025–2027. Josep Ramon Lliso-Ferrando.
Monitorización inteligente para reducir la incertidumbre en la vida útil: sensores de corrosión potenciostáticos. PID2020-119744RB-C21.Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI). 2021–2024. Juan Soto, José Manuel Gandía-Romero
Highlighted Publications
Martínez-Ibernón, A.; Gandía-Romero, J. M.; Lliso-Ferrando, J. R. et al. Novel Application of Voltammetric Sensors to Characterize the Electrochemical Behavior of Porous Media. ACS Omega. 2026. 11, 12436–12449.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c12094
Lliso-Ferrando, J. R.; Gasch, I.; Martínez-Ibernón, A. et al. Localised Corrosion on Reinforced Concrete Structures: Pitting Factor Analysis. Construction and Building Materials. 2026. 512, 145352.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145352
Lliso-Ferrando, J. R.; Márquez-Gómez, P.; Gandía-Romero, J. M. et al. A Review and Experimental Study on the Performance of Rubberised Concrete Under Combined Freeze–Thaw and Sulphate Attack. Materials. 2026. 19, 1011. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19051011
Lliso-Ferrando, J. R.; Arenós-Barrachina, A.; Monzón-Bello, P. et al. Durability of Mortars with Partial Cement Replacement by Recycled Brick Powder. Applied Sciences.2025. 15, 4133.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app15084133
Lliso-Ferrando, J. R.; Martínez-Ibernón, A.; Ramón-Zamora, J. E. et al. Corrosion Assessment in Reinforced Concrete Structures by Means of Embedded Sensors and Multivariate Analysis—Part 2: Implementation. Applied Sciences. 2024. 14, 9002.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app14199002
Prof. Manuel Valcuende Payá
Prof. Isabel Gasch Molina
Prof. Josep Ramón Lliso Ferrando
Prof. Ana Martínez Ibernón
Rocío Expósito Hernández