AR8521

BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

- IV

UNIT IV
SPECIAL CONCRETES AND INNOVATIONS IN
CONCRETE
POLYMER CONCRETE
• Polymers are used as binders instead of cement and water
• Aggregates are impregnated (introduced) into molten polymers OR
monomers are fused into aggregate matrix and subjected to
polymerisation setting
• Advantage – reduced porosity achieved due to no drying water
(normal cement) – leads to improved strength and other properties
• Disadvantage – polymers get brittle and weakens over time – Partially
Impregnated Concrete / (surface) Polymer-Coated Concrete
• Methyl-methacrylate, Styrene, Acrylonitrile, other thermo plastic
monomers
FIBRE-REINFORCED CONCRETE
• Small fibres are used instead of larger reinforcements
• Fibres are distributed over entire volumes – results in reduction of
cracks, higher impact strength, less thermal expansion, high flexural,
tensile and fatigue strength
• Steel, carbon, polypropylene, nylon, glass, asbestos, natural (coir)
• Thickness (diameter) is in microns, length is in mm
• Ratio of length to diameter is called Aspect Ratio
• If excess fibres OR large Aspect Ratio – get entangled – Balling effect,
will not get distributed into concrete volume – micro fibres
• Used in 3D concrete – future
FERROCEMENT
• Concrete is Architect’s Dream Building Material – limited to formwork
• Ferrocement is satisfies the imagination of Architect
• Steel wire meshes are used instead of normal reinforcement – steel
meshes can be made into any complicated shapes unlike formwork
• Very thin members are possible – normal RCC (more thickness) needs
cover concrete around steel reinforcement
OTHER SPECIAL CONCRETES /
CONCRETING
• High Density Concrete
• Self Compacting Concrete
• Gunite or Shortcrete
• Hot Weather Concrete
• Cold Weather Concrete
• Pre-Packed Concrete
• Ready Mixed Concrete
• 3D Concrete