POLYMERS in CIVIL

ENGINEERING
Polymers in Civil Engineering
 “Poly” “meros” = many parts

 Monomer = non-linked “mer” material

 Polymers = long continuous chain molecules

formed from repeated sequences of small
organic units (mers).
Polymerization
 the use of heat, pressure or a chemical
catalyst to link monomer material into
polymer chains.
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
 Good Chemical and Limitations
Resistance  Some have
 Easy to use marginal bond
quality
 Good strength
 More expansion
 Good ductility
and shrinkage
 Inexpensive than concrete
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
 Requires special
equipment
 Special handling
required - high
temperature
(280°F)
 Will melt at
246°F
 Few applicators
Sulfur Concrete
 Applications
 High chemical
resistance
floors, etc.
 Rapid
pavement
repair or
construction
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  Moisture
sensitivity in
 diverse production
applications
 chemical
resistance
 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
 Polymer
Composites
An Overview
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 + Polyester
Alcohol (PVA)
+ Carbon
Resins are
+ Aramid (Kevlar) thermosetting
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