Lech Czarnecki

On the characterization of polymer concrete fracture surface

Abstract Fracture surface geometry is often related to material toughness. This approach requires a quantitative description of the fracture surface. The aim of this work was to investigate scale effects on the geometrical features of the fracture surface of polymer concrete (cementless concrete) with different microstructures. Polymer concrete (PC) is a concrete-like composite, in which a resin binder substitutes the cement binder. The fracture surfaces were characterized at different magnifications by: fractal dimension, surface roughness ratio and profile roughness ratio. Relationships between parameters describing the geometry of PC fracture surface were analyzed. The main conclusion is that the geometry of the PC fracture surface depends on the scale of observation.

Sustainable Concrete; Is Nanotechnology the Future of Concrete Polymer Composites?

Sustainable development as the leading civilization idea, and nanotechnology as the contemporary wave of technology significantly affecting the society, are brought together in this paper. A brief history of sustainability implementation from the start concept until European Construction Product Regulation is presented. The extended definitions of sustainable construction and sustainable material are analysed with adequate conclusions towards Concrete. The category of Exergy is implemented as a measure for “natural environmentally-friendly” meaning. The generalised concrete development curve is presented with discussion of Well Defined Concrete Performance. The statement that the sustainability is necessity for concrete and the nanotechnology is the chance for the future of concrete polymer composite is the final conclusion of the paper.

The statistical evaluation of epoxy concrete heterogeneity

Abstract The subject of this paper is the statistical estimation of heterogeneity of epoxy concrete. The study is involved with the potential of its random failures. The main categories and sources of possible uncertainty have been shown. The research concept has been presented, showing the parameters that influence the polymer composite heterogeneity, e.g. composition, or the method of maturing. Experimental results have been analyzed using statistical methods and presented numerically and graphically in the form of histograms and distribution curves. Three types of theoretical distribution — normal, log-normal and Weibulls — have been considered. Conclusions on the variability of the various types of epoxy concrete have been formulated as well as conclusions on the influence of particular factors on this variability.

Sustainable construction: challenges, contribution of polymers, research arena

Sustainable development is one of the leading civilization ideas. This term means such a development that satisfies the present needs without a limitation of the possibility of satisfying the needs in the future. Sustainable development in construction is particularly important, as this branch of the industry is consuming enormous amounts of mass and energy. A new research area has been created by this idea. The new fields of investigation are involved with material, energetic, and environmental conditions, but also with such topics as protection against noise and the methods of the evaluation of the efficiency of waste materials storage. Merging the worlds of cement concrete and concrete-polymer composites opens ways to synergetic effects that support sustainable material development. Implementation of the idea of sustainable development in the construction industry will be a source of scientific and engineering inspiration for many years to come. 1. Sustainable development – a challenge for civilisation The notion of sustainable development aspires to the role of a leading civilisational idea. Sustainable development “implies meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” [UN, 1987]. The term is the most frequently found expression in forecasts and similar studies. It follows from philosophical premises and – in Poland – it is a constitutional prerequisite: ”The Republic of Poland shall safeguard the independence and integrity of its territory and ensure the freedoms and rights of persons and citizens, security of citizens, safeguarding of Poland‟s national heritage, and ensure the protection of the natural environment pursuant to the principles of sustainable development.” Therefore, sustainable development constitutes a principle that is to be followed by the Republic of Poland, in turn safeguarding fundamental values. In the Environmental Protection Laws, the definition of sustainable development is expanded further: such socio-economic development, in which – in order to equalise the opportunities to access the environment by individual communities or their members – both of contemporary generations and those still to come – a process of the integration of

Optimization of Polymer-Cement Coating Composition Using Material Model

The paper focuses on optimizing the elastic polymer-cement protection coating composition using material model. The material model consists of mathematical relations between composition and technical features demanded for protection, which are: flexibility, waterproofness and vapor permeability. The optimization that enabled obtaining the desirable values of features was proceeded by using statistical experimental design. Taking data from tests and choosing material variables, a material model based on quadratic functions was determined and in consequence three top rank compositions – each for a given feature – have been formulated. Evaluation of compositions was done using the desirability function approach. The individual desirability functions for the particular feature and the combined overall desirability function were treated as additional properties of the coating. Also, after defining the relation between desirability and composition, the overall desirability was enclosed in the material model as its generalization. High values of overall desirability confirmed the usefulness of compositions. The investigation proved that material models based on statistical methods are efficient tools for designing polymer-cement protective coatings.

Model of Concrete Carbonation as Limited Process – Experimental Investigations of Fluidal Ash Concrete

The aim of the paper is to develop a theoretical model predicting carbonation depth of concrete made with fluidal ash replacement of cement. Experimentally determined model describes the depth of carbonation depending on time of exposition, w/s ratio and early-age curing conditions. A new mathematical formulation of carbonation depth as a hyperbolic function of time assumes that carbonation process is limitable in depth due to process of fulfilling concrete pores with carbonation products. The depth of carbonation in concretes made with portland cement and various quantities of fluidal ash (30%, 15%, 0% of cement mass replacement) was measured in environment with high CO 2 concentration (1%). The test results are shown and used to derive equations for prediction of carbonation depth in such concretes.

BASIS FOR SELECTION OF PC AND PCC FOR CONCRETE REPAIR

Abstract A classification of concrete polymer composites is presented, which takes into account the influence of the solid phases, as well as the composite interaction with a fluid phase, which in the limit will be the ambient environment. The classification is based on a structural model, enabling the qualification and quantification of material properties. A brief overview of damage and causes of damage to concrete and concrete structures is given. A study of damage and damage causes reveals the requirements, which the repair materials have to comply. The comparison of both requirements and structural material properties enable the proper choice of the repair material, or indicate the way to proceed in developing repair materials for specific repair jobs.

Contribution of Concrete-Polymer Composites and Ancient Mortar Technology to Sustainable Construction

Recent findings on microstructure formation in polymer-cement concrete are presented. There is strong evidence that interactions between polymers and cement minerals are not only of physical nature but also of chemical nature. Chemical interactions and bonds are nanoscale phenomena. They can increase adhesion between phases and improve mechanical and physical properties of the composite material. The combination of polymers with cement concrete only dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century. However, natural polymers were already used in ancient times to enhance the properties and durability of plasters, mortars, and concretes. Analysis of the composition of ancient binders and mortars with proven durability reveals the hardening activation methods. These methods are applied to improve the hydration mechanisms of pozzolans and industrial by-products to develop more sustainable binders for construction industry.

Asian Symposium on Polymers in Concrete, Istanbul 2012

International Congresses on Polymers in Concrete (ICPIC) are organized since 1975 (London) with 3 years intervals. The idea of ICPIC was to have ICPIC Congresses alternatively in a Western and in an Eastern country. This sequence was followed more or less, with successive congresses in Austin (USA), Koriyama (Japan), Darmstadt (Germany), Brighton (UK), Shanghai, Moscow, Oostende (B), Bologna, Honolulu, Berlin, Chuncheon (South Korea), Funchal (Madeira-Portugal), and Shanghai (2013). However, evolutions in science and construction practices do not follow such alternations, and regional symposia were organized in the time span between international congresses. An important series of regional symposia were organized in Asia, starting with a first symposium in Chuncheon (1994), followed by symposia in Koriyama (1997), Shanghai (2000), Chuncheon (2003), Chennai (2006), and again Shanghai (2009). ASPIC 2012, the 7th Asian Symposium on Polymers in Concrete, was held in Istanbul, Turkey. It was organized by Istanbul Technical University at Suleyman Demirel Cultural Center, October 3-5, 2012. Istanbul, is not only the city where two continents meet but also the city where East and West meet, was chosen as a symbolic location, where new ideas about concrete-polymer composites could emerge.

Driving Forces Concrete-Polymer Composites

The aim of the paper is an attempt to prepare draft about the matrix: drivers and research area in the C-PC with an intension to identify future research needs and priorities with relevance to C-PC development. The approach adopted in the paper is limited to the two terms: “drivers” and “research area”. Drivers have been selected to the research areas defined on the base of the 14th ICPIC which reflect general scope of the C-PC domain. However, the identification and prioritization is not yet precise and do not define the result but try to establish the starting point. The purpose is that the paper is going to be used as a catalyst to guide discussion among the members of the C-PC community and to maximise the output in C-PC.