Cement concrete and concrete–polymer composites: Two merging worlds

Abstract

The search for durable and sustainable construction materials inspires the developments in the world of cement concrete, as well as in the world of concrete-polymer composites. Both worlds recognize, strive for and accept each other's contribution to the synergic effects that are realized by the combination of classical building materials and polymers. A better knowledge of materials behaviour, especially in the field of admixtures, and a better understanding of curing processes allowed the development of highly performing mineral or modified mineral concretes, mortars and grouts. CPC-science becomes an invaluable element in the development of sustainable construction materials. ICPIC organises practitioners and scientists, dealing with concrete-polymer composites in all industrial fields, but with emphasis on construction industry. The 11th International ICPIC Congress took place in Berlin, 2-4th June 2004. New trends and evolutions have been presented and discussed. The highlights of the Congress, and the synergies that emerge from the congress for the construction world in combination with cement concrete, will be presented and discussed in the paper.

The use of the acoustic emission method for the monitoring of changes in the internal structure of polymer-cement mortars when testing the static compressive modulus of elasticity

“…PCM are used because of properties other than elastic parameters [1][2][3][4][5][6]; however, it is still very useful to know the values of their elastic moduli. Polymers, by which the cement mortar is modified, generally have low values of the elastic modulus, which decreases the elastic modulus of the whole composite.…”

“…latexes, redispersible polymer powders, liquid resins, monomers or acrylic and epoxy emulsions. Polymers can be considered an important component in the manufacturing of modern, sustainable building materials [5].…”

Concrete composites of double structure formation

“…However, despite the high efficiency of concrete composite modification by polymers, their production is hindered by the complexity of the technology associated with toxicity, explosion and fire hazard of impregnating materials [8,9].…”

Full factorial design analysis of carbon nanotube polymer-cement composites

“…Besides using carbon nanotubes, cement-based composites have been traditionally produced adding a polymeric phase. The use of polymeric inclusions in cement is a practice developed mainly in Japan and Europe in the 1970's and the United States in the 1980's, in order to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of the cement matrix 4,5 . In terms of microstructure, the polymeric phase tends to coat unhydrated grains of cement which delays partially, or completely, the hydration process.…”