Flexural behavior of polymer concrete

Abstract

The flexural behavior of polymer concrete (PC) made with different types of resins was evaluated in this study. A total of 54 beams was tested under four-point loading (36 singly reinforced and 18 unreinforced) to examine different parameters that influence the behavior of polymer concrete in flexure. The beams were made of resins that are widely used in concrete repair works in the Gulf region. Three types of polymer resins were investigated: two types of epoxy from two different manufactures and one type of polyester. The studied parameters included the percentage of polymer in the concrete mix (three percentages were used: 9, 12 and 15%), and the reinforcement ratio (ρ=0, 0.0042 and 0.0116). The results show that the modulus of rupture and ultimate compressive strains for PC are much higher than that of ordinary Portland cement concrete. The beams showed a very ductile behavior and high ductility factors were obtained. The test results were compared with the equations used in the ACI design method and several recommendations are made to modify some of those equations to become more suitable for the flexure design of PC.