An Introduction to Lightweight Flexible Nonlinear Composite (LFNLC) and Elastic Composite, Reinforced Lightweight Concrete (ECRLC) as the Cementitious LFNLC

Abstract

Here, a new class of high-performance composites, called “Lightweight Flexible Nonlinear Composites (LFNLC)”, has been briefly introduced. This class of composites has its own structural and functional characteristics. Nonlinear behavior in bending and porous or porous-like texture are instances of such characteristics. - Cementitious LFNLC is termed “Elastic Composite, Reinforced Lightweight Concrete (ECRLC)”. The ECRLC provides lightweight beams with substantial strain capability, resilience modulus and toughness in bending, resulting in a considerable increase in bearing capacity while weighing significantly less. The failure mode in low-height and ultra-lightweight beams made of the ECRLC is not compressive and brittle. - This lightweight, flexible composite is a non-monopolistic, versatile and comparatively low-price material. Likewise, the virtues such as resilience and flexibility, workability, lightness, durability, and high formability are important in architecture. - In general, lightweight and integrated construction has a key importance in earthquake resistance. Therefore, the ECRLC can be especially beneficial in earthquake-prone regions. - By taking advantage of the resilience and flexibility of this formable system, it can also be used to build non-brittle reinforced ultra-lightweight and insulation sandwich panels, safe and lightweight guards, and shock-resistant structures. In addition, they are utilizable in some infrastructures and explosion-proof pieces with suitable behavior, resilience, and toughness. - This work presents a practical method for converting a rigid solid into a flexible material with lower density or increasing the elasticity of a flexible material while decreasing the density. Essentially, this method entails creating a porous or porous-like texture in the material, reinforcing appropriately, and providing it with the necessary integrity. (For example, properly dispersing lightweight aggregates all over the reinforced, conjoined matrix can produce a porous-like texture.) By this process, the resilience modulus and toughness in bending rise and the density reduces. - This paper briefly discusses the functional and structural characteristics of LFNLCs, some applications, and a Reproducible example of the ECRLC.