A cement based piezoelectric composite sensor using 1-3 cement based piezoelectric composite as sensing element was fabricated. The basic properties of the sensor were mainly investigated. The results indicate that in the frequency range from 0.1 to 40 Hz, the output voltage amplitudes of the sensor increase nonlinearly with increasing frequency of input load under 10 Hz. When the frequency of input load is larger than about 10 Hz, the output voltage amplitudes of the sensor is nearly independent of frequency. There exists an obviously linear relationship between the output voltage amplitude of the sensor and input load amplitude. The output voltage of the sensor is correspond to the complex load very well. The phase difference between the output voltage of the sensor and input load is near zero. Therefore such sensors have a good potential to be used in civil engineering structural health monitoring. © (2011) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.