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Investigation of the Effects of Corrosive Environments on Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Polymer and Portland Cement Concrete

Ghassemi, Pedram | 2020

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 53505 (09)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Civil Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Toufigh, Vahab
  7. Abstract:
  8. Polymer concrete is well-known for the quick repair of concrete structures and pavement. Many concrete structures such as bridges, offshore, and pavements are under cyclic loads when they are exposed to different environmental conditions during their lifespan. However, there are relatively few studies on the durability of Polymer concrete. The durability and fatigue performance of these structures are significant issues that should be considered. This study aims to investigate the long-term environmental effects on the mechanical properties of Polymer concrete. Therefore, polymer and ordinary cement concrete specimens were prepared and exposed to four chemical solutions with pH values of 2.5, 7, 12.5, and artificial seawater in intervals of 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Epoxy resin (10 and 12% by weight) and Portland cement were used as binder phase in polymer and cement concrete, respectively. Concrete specimens were tested under high cyclic loading with a frequency of 6 Hz and low cyclic loading with a frequency of 1 Hz Scanning electron microscopy was additionally applied to investigate the changes in the microstructure of specimens over a year of exposure. According to the results, the acidic solution was the most destructive environment for cement and polymer concrete which significantly decreased the strength of cement concrete and low epoxy resin content polymer concrete. The alkaline solution had almost the same effect as the acidic solution on cement concrete specimens. However, polymer concrete performed relatively well under alkaline conditions after one year of exposure. Freshwater and seawater solutions also decreased the strength of polymer concrete. However, the seawater improved the strength of cement concrete up to the first six months and then the strength of the specimens decreased. Polymer concrete with the high content of epoxy resin had the lowest strength reduction and appropriate performance and durability in each solution among the other specimens. Further, the Taguchi method and ANOVA were used to determine the contribution of each factor based on the compressive and the splitting tensile strengths under varying concrete types, pH of the solution, and exposure time
  9. Keywords:
  10. Polymer Concrete ; Fatigue Behaviour ; Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) ; Mechanical Properties ; Durability ; Portland-Cement Concrete ; Aggressive Environment

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