Polymerized Lightweight Structural Elements
Abstract
Impregnation of concrete materials with polymers was extended to include the impregnation of lightweight foam concretes. All specimens that were polymerized were impregnated with a promoted 60 percent polyester-40 percent styrene resin, which had a viscosity of approximately 700 cps at room temperature. Filling approximately 90 percent of the extensive void system of the foam concrete with a polymer increased the compressive strength from 202 psi to 3250 psi, the splitting tensile strength from 30 psi to 1008 psi, and the modulus of elasticity from 100,000 psi to 425,000 psi. Beam structural elements were partially impregnated to produce a 'sandwich panel' element which can utilize the foam concrete core to act as an insulator and as a spacer to separate the polymer impregnated surface regions; and can utilize the polymer impregnated surface regions to resist loadings. The sandwich element produced thus utilizes materials efficiently to satisfy the multiple functional requirements of load and of environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0762113
Entities
People
- D. Birkimer
- James L. Lott
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory