18 - Applications of polyesters and polyamides in civil engineering

Abstract

Publisher Summary Textile materials are considered traditional civil construction materials. Fiber reinforced composites are gaining popularity within the civil construction sector. Applications like fiber-reinforced concrete, concrete retrofitting, concrete jacketing, and composite concrete structures internal and external reinforcement are applications where fibers and fibrous structures play an important role. In these emerging applications, fibers like AR-glass, carbon and aramid are of paramount importance due to their high strength, high modulus, and to the possibility to compete with the conventional structural construction materials. Depending on the applications envisaged, polyester and polyamide fibers are used in civil construction projects in several forms. If concrete internal reinforcement is the objective, polyester and polyamide fibers are used as micro- and macro-fibers, fibrillated fibers, and monofilaments. If concrete external reinforcement is required, polyester and polyamide fibers are applied as woven fabric. Polyester and polyamide woven and knitted fabrics as well as needle punched nonwoven fabrics are also available in geo-textiles and geo-grids.