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A shape memory polymer concrete crack closure system activated by electrical current
Teall, O. Pilegis, M. Davies, R. Sweeney, John Jefferson, T. Lark, R. Gardner, D.
Teall, O.
Pilegis, M.
Davies, R.
Sweeney, John
Jefferson, T.
Lark, R.
Gardner, D.
Publication Date
2018-05-31
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© 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd. Original content from this work may be used
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this
work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and
DOI.
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2018-05-04
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Abstract
The presence of cracks has a negative impact on the durability of concrete by providing paths for
corrosive materials to the embedded steel reinforcement. Cracks in concrete can be closed using
shape memory polymers (SMP) which produce a compressive stress across the crack faces. This
stress has been previously found to enhance the load recovery associated with autogenous selfhealing.
This paper details the experiments undertaken to incorporate SMP tendons containing
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) filaments into reinforced and unreinforced 500 × 100 × 100 mm
structural concrete beam samples. These tendons are activated via an electrical supply using a nickelchrome
resistance wire heating system. The set-up, methodology and results of restrained shrinkage
stress and crack closure experiments are explained. Crack closure of up to 85% in unreinforced
beams and 26%–39% in reinforced beams is measured using crack-mouth opening displacement,
microscope and digital image correlation equipment. Conclusions are made as to the effectiveness of
the system and its potential for application within industry.
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Citation
Teall O, Pilegis M, Davies R et al (2018) A shape memory polymer concrete crack closure
system activated by electrical current. Smart Materials and Structures. 27(7): 075016.
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Article