Quynh T. Nguyen

Composite Materials for Next Generation Building Façade Systems

Composite materials, such as glass fibre reinforced polymers (GFRPs), possess the advantages of high strength and stiffness, low density, as well as manufacturing flexibility; therefore, their potential in replacing conventional materials (such as concrete, aluminium and steel) in building construction has become attractive. One of the major issues that hinder the extensive use of composite structures in high-rise building technology is related to their fire resistance performance. Significant efforts have been devoted to develop better material systems and composite manufacturing technologies to comply with various building construction safety codes, while maintaining the architectural aesthetic appeal. This paper presents the potential use of fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) in modern facade systems, with a special focus on their fire performance. A case study relating to the fire performance of glass fibre reinforced polymers is also presented. This case study is based on the numerical model established for glass fibre reinforced polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy and phenol without flame retardants.

Use of nanoclay to improve the fire performance of glass fibre composites

There is an urgent need to improve the fire performance of fibre composites so that they can be used in infrastructure applications. Nanoparticles from clay has been well known as a potential precursor of nanocomposites because of the significant improvement in mechanical properties and their availability. Nanoclay contains very thin layers of silicates, in which the octahedral sheet of alumina is sandwiched between two tetrahedral sheets of silica. Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay, the most widely used type, is often treated with cation-organic surfactants to render it organophilic. The addition of 3-5% organophilic clay into polymeric matrix can enhance the mechanical and thermal performance of the nanocomposite. Most research projects on clay nanocomposites were carried out with more focus on their improvement of mechanical properties. However, the effect of nanoclay on the fire performance of hybrid composites has not been covered comprehensively. In this study, the effect of organoclay on the fire performance of the hybrid nanocomposite was investigated. Epoxy and glass fibre reinforcement were chosen as they have been proven to be more suitable and feasible for civil infrastructure applications. The fire characteristics of the hybrid nanocomposite were evaluated using cone calorimeter tests conducted according to ISO 5660-1.