pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S02 - Films and Fibers
Oral Presentation
 
 

Development of high performance shape memory polymer (SMP) polymers for crack closure and reinforcement in concrete

Sweeney John (1)*, Tuinea-Bobe Cristina-Luminata (1), Thompson Glen (1), Whiteside Ben (1), Jefferson Tony (2), Maddalena Riccardo (2), Balzano Brunella (2), Gardner Diane (2)

(1) University of Bradford - West Yorkshire - UnitedKingdom, (2) Cardiff University - Wales - UnitedKingdom

This paper concentrates on a fabrication method of SMP tendons and other devices to be used in a strengthening and reinforcement systems for concrete. The goals of this work encompass systems both to confine the cementitious matrix during the setting process to close or inhibit cracks, and also to provide reinforcement during service to replace conventional steel. The material used for the SMP devices is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). Manufacturing has been carried out using extrusion to produce solid section fibres or tube, followed by die and mandrel drawing to induce molecular orientation. Converging dies were used to produce SMP tendons from solid section fibre. For other devices, oriented tube is required and is produced using a combination of a conical mandrel to induce circumferential orientation, and a converging die to add axial orientation. For tube SMP, process conditions were developed to produce an optimised combination of shape memory and compressive strength. A programme of experiments including field trials has been used to evaluate the products. SMP fibres have been developed with shrinkage force levels of around twice those of commercial products.