Systems and methods for construction of electrically conductive concrete slab with protection from current leakage

Abstract

Systems and methods for a conductive concrete slab having protection against one or more of surface current, ground fault current, and current leakage. A method includes, but is not limited to, introducing an electrical insulation base layer to a ground surface; introducing a plurality of electrodes to the electrical insulation base layer; and casting conductive concrete over the plurality of electrodes and the electrical insulation base layer. An electrical insulation top layer can also be applied to mitigate one or more of surface current and ground fault current.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for providing a conductive concrete slab, comprising:
 introducing an electrical insulation base layer to a ground surface, 
 wherein the ground surface comprises at least one of soil or an aggregate base; 
 introducing a plurality of electrodes to the electrical insulation base layer; 
 casting conductive concrete over the plurality of electrodes and the electrical insulation base layer; and 
 applying a current to the conductive concrete, 
 wherein the conductive concrete has a conductivity ranging from 5 millisiemens per meter to 5 siemens per meter. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical insulation base layer includes at least one of:
 a polyester sheet, 
 a polystyrene layer, 
 a geotextile containing substantially no carbon black, 
 a tile comprising at least one of marble, granite, ceramics, wood, or linoleum, or 
 a grounded wire mesh embedded in a layer of non-conductive concrete. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes to a power source via an electrical connection. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 introducing an electrical insulation top layer to a top surface of the conductive concrete. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical insulation top layer includes at least one of:
 an epoxy layer, 
 a layer of non-conductive concrete, 
 a tile comprising at least one of marble, granite, ceramics, wood, or linoleum, or 
 a grounded wire mesh embedded in a layer of non-conductive concrete. 
 
     
     
       6. A method comprising:
 positioning an electrical insulation base layer over a ground surface comprising at least one of soil or an aggregate base; 
 positioning a plurality of electrodes over a surface of the electrical insulation base layer, the plurality of electrodes arranged in a parallel configuration; 
 casting conductive concrete over the plurality of electrodes and the electrical insulation base layer; and 
 positioning an electrical insulation top layer to a top surface of the conductive concrete; and 
 heating the conductive concrete, 
 wherein the conductive concrete has a conductivity ranging from 5 millisiemens per meter to 5 siemens per meter. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical insulation base layer includes at least one of:
 a polyester sheet, 
 a polystyrene layer, 
 a geotextile containing substantially no carbon black, 
 a tile comprising at least one of marble, granite, ceramics, wood, or linoleum, or 
 a grounded wire mesh embedded in a layer of non-conductive concrete. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical insulation top layer includes at least one of:
 an epoxy layer, 
 a layer of non-conductive concrete, 
 a tile comprising at least one of marble, granite, ceramics, wood, or linoleum, or 
 a grounded wire mesh embedded in a layer of non-conductive concrete. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , further including:
 electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes to a power source via an electrical connection. 
 
     
     
       10. A system, comprising:
 a concrete slab comprising: 
 an electrical insulation base layer disposed over at least one of soil or an aggregate base; 
 a plurality of electrodes positioned over a surface of the electrical insulation base layer, the plurality of electrodes arranged in a parallel configuration; and 
 a conductive concrete structure positioned over the plurality of electrodes and the electrical insulation base layer, 
 wherein the concrete slab has a conductivity ranging from 5 millisiemens per meter to 5 siemens per meter; and 
 a power source configured to apply alternating current to the concrete slab. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical insulation base layer includes at least one of:
 a polyester sheet, 
 a polystyrene layer, 
 a geotextile containing substantially no carbon black, or 
 a grounded wire mesh embedded in a layer of non-conductive concrete. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , further comprising an electrical insulation top layer positioned over a top surface of the conductive concrete structure. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical insulation top layer includes at least one of:
 an epoxy layer, 
 a layer of non-conductive concrete, or 
 a grounded wire mesh embedded in a layer of non-conductive concrete.