Polymers in Civil Engineering

Je-2016
Plastic Types

Thermosetting plastic Thermo plastic

 a polymer material that  a polymer that can
cannot be reformed after be remolded after
manufacturing manufacturing.
cross linked chain

 softens upon
networks
reheating
 less creep, isotropic
 substantial creep,
good structural
isotropic properties


properties
 injection molded  extrusion (PVC pipe)
or molding (PET
soda bottles)
Natural Polymers

· wood
· leather
· cotton
· rubber
· wool
· asphalt
Manufactured Polymers

Epoxy (thermosetting)
Polyesters (thermoplastic or thermoset)
Sulfur Concrete (thermoplastic)
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
Polyurethane
Polystyrene (thermoplastic)
Polyvinyl chloride, PVC (thermoplastic)
Polyethylene (thermoplastic)
Epoxy (thermosetting)

Physical Properties
 Strength and Moduli vary with temperature and
formulation
 Thermal coefficient greater than concrete
 Brittle behavior (more brittle than concrete)
 Excellent adhesion - tenacious bond
 High tensile and compressive strength
 Highly resistant to chemical attack and wear
Epoxy

Disadvantages and limitations

 Properties are very sensitive to mixing and
proportioning procedures
 Some cannot be used in moist environments
 Strong Allergenic, safety
 Some have strong oder prior to polymerization
 Physical properties are substantially different from
other materials
Epoxy

Applications
 Adhesive (old concrete to new concrete,
welding cracked concrete, bonding diverse
materials)
 Patching voids
 Durable overlays and coatings
Polyesters

• Thermoplastic or Thermoset
• Physical Properties
 Strength and Moduli vary with temperature
and formulation
 Thermal coefficient greater than concrete
Polyesters

Advantages Disadvantages and

 Good Chemical Limitations
Resistance  Some have marginal
 Easy to use bond quality
 Good strength  More expansion and
 Good ductility shrinkage than
concrete
 Inexpensive
Applications of Polyester

· Floor coatings
· Protective coatings
· Adhesive bonder or sealer
· Binder for fiberglass or artificial wood
· Sealer for Epoxy injection
· Anchoring for drilled holes
· Binder for polymer mortar
Sulfur Concrete (thermoplastic)

Physical Properties
 Modulus of Elasticity similar to concrete
 Thermal expansion greater than concrete
Advantages
 Exceptional chemical resistance
 Cold joints preventable
 Rapid Strength gain (80%@ 2 h; 100%@ 24 h)
 High strength (7000 psi)
 Will set below freezing
Sulfur Concrete

Disadvantages Applications
 Requires special  High chemical
equipment resistance floors, etc.
 Special handling  Rapid pavement
required - high repair or construction
temperature (280°F)
 Will melt at 246°F
 Few applicators
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)

Thermoset
Physical Properties
 clear or any color
 thermal expansion higher than concrete
 low viscosity (< water)
 high strength
MMA

Advantages Disadvantages
 Rapid Strength  expensive
 Good bond to dry
surfaces  hazardous (fire)
 Easy to mix  odor
 Pre-packaged mixes  more shrinkage than
 Impermeable to water concrete
 resistance to acids
 excellent abrasion
resistance
MMA

Applications
 Plexiglas
 Pavement of bridge decks
 Thin Overlays (3/16"+)
 Impregnation
 precast elements
Polystyrene (thermoplastic)

Advantages Disadvantages
 water resistant  low tensile strength
 dimensional stability  low modulus
 inexpensive  poor heat resistance
 poor weather
resistance
 brittle, low
toughness
Polyvinyl chloride, PVC

Thermoplastic
Physical Properties
 Tensile 10-41 MPa (1500 - 6000 psi)
 Compressive 55-110 MPa (8000 - 16000
psi)
 200 - 15 % elongation
 t = 75 x 10-6 in./in./°C
 E = 3.6 Gpa (5 x 105 psi)
PVC

Advantages Disadvantages
 excellent insulator  low modulus
 diverse applications  Moisture sensitivity
 chemical resistance in production
 long-term stability
 flame resistant
 weather resistant
 Adhesion to glass
 resistance to oil
PVC

Applications
 pipe
 raincoats
 window frames and moldings
 electrical cables
 floor tiles
 siding
Polyethylene (thermoplastic)

Physical Properties
 E = .13 GPa (.19 x 105 psi)
 t = 1.0 x10-4/°F
 tensile strength 13.8 MPa (2 ksi)
Advantages
 tough, durable, weather resistant
 chemical and moisture resistance
 excellent electrical properties
Polyethylene

Applications
 sheet plastic, membranes, liners
 pipe, electrical conduit
 tanks, bottles
Polyurethane

Physical Properties
 Sensitive to temperature and RH
 low elastic moduli 4- 400 ksi
Advantages
 Resistant to Chemicals
 lightweight and resistant to wear
 Closed Cell material when used with foams
 Cryogenic performance
 Polymer Composites

An Overview
Composites with Thermoplastics
Glass Fiber Composites (20-40% wt)
 Monofilament
 Braided Strand
 Chop Fiber
Polymer
 Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC),
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET),
Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT), Nylon
Typical Properties
E, GPa Ft, MPa ey
PP 5 70-90 0.02
PC & PBT 8 120 0.02
Aramid 80-170 3500 -
Carbon 34-800 5000 -
Steel 200 400 0.002
What is FRP?

FRP stands for Fiber Reinforced Plastic

FRP is used in structural shapes, repair
materials or as reinforcement for
concrete
FRP is a composite material consisting
of artificial fibers encased in a resin
matrix
Materials Used in FRP

Fiber Types Resin Types

+ Glass + Epoxy
+ Poly-Vinyl Alcohol + Polyester
(PVA)
+ Carbon Resins are
+ Aramid (Kevlar) thermosetting
Manufacture of FRP Rods

Pultrusion
+ Enables a high percentage of fibers to be
included in the cross section
Braiding
+ Creates surface deformations which
enhance the FRP to concrete bond
Hybrid Rods
Engineering Properties of FRP

High Tensile Strength

 On average, the tensile strength of FRP is 10%
to 500% greater than steel
Low Moduli of Elasticity
 With the exception of Carbon rods, FRP has
only 1/10 to 1/2 the modulus of steel
Linear Stress-Strain Relationship
Applications of FRP

Reinforcement bars for Concrete

Prestressing Tendons for Concrete
Members
FRP sheets can be used to increase
flexural strength in weakened or
underdesigned members
Advantages of FRP

Will Not Corrode In Field Conditions

Lightweight
Strong in Tension
Methods of Construction Same as Steel
Reinforcement
Disadvantages of FRP

Low Moduli of Elasticity

Cannot be Shaped in the Field
More Expensive than Steel
Coefficients of Thermal Expansion are
Different than Those of Steel or
Concrete
 Conclusion

FRP Reinforcement is an Engineered

Material that Shows Great Promise In
the Future of Civil Engineering