Influence
of Thermal Cycles on the Fracture Properties of Fiber Reinforced Polymer
Concrete
J.M.L. Reis and A.J.M. Ferreira[1]
Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica e Gestão Industrial
Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica e Gestão Industrial
Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto
Rua do Barroco, 174-214, Leça do Balio
Portugal
In this study the fracture behaviour of fiber reinforced polymer concrete, subjected to freeze-thaw and thermal degradation, is discussed in order to compare the behavior of this material with conventional cement concrete. The specimens were subjected to freeze-thaw and higher temperature cycles in a climatic chamber and then tested according to RILEM standards. Evaluation of the stress intensity factor, Kic, and of the critical crack tip opening displacement CTODc, was conducted with the Two Parameter Method (TPM). The fracture energy, Gf, of the specimens was also evaluated. Polymer concrete was reinforced with short glass and carbon fiber with 1% and 2% in mass respectively to determine whether the reinforcement increases the performance of the material.
Unlike positive thermal cycles, which
affect the material properties, freeze-thaw cycles do not deteriorate the
material properties significantly.
Keywords: Polymer Concrete, Fiber reinforced polymer concrete, Freeze-Thaw Cycles