Application of bio-inspired nanocomposites for enhancing impact resistance of cementitious materials. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chandler, Mei Qiang; Sherburn, Jesse A.; Allison, Paul G.; Moser, Robert D.; Torres-Cancel, Kevin A.; Williams, Brett A.; Newman, John K.; Weiss, Charles A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of impact engineering. Volume 110(2017)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: PVA/MMT nanocomposite -- Impact test -- High performance concrete (HPC) -- Damage -- Finite element simulations; Impact -- Periodicals; Shock (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Impact -- Périodiques; Choc (Mécanique) -- Périodiques; Impact; Shock (Mechanics); Periodicals; 620.1125
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2017.02.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-743X

Abstract

Highlights: Drop tower impact tests were performed to evaluate the effects of applying PVA/MMT nanocomposite films as coatings on the impact response of high performance concrete. Applying PVA/MMT nanocomposite with 25 vol% MMT as coatings demonstrated an improvement on the impact resistance of the concrete. The damage pattern changed from complete fracture of concrete cylinder with no coating to only a small indent imprint on the coating with no visible damage on the concrete cylinder. Finite element simulation results of the impact tests compare reasonably well with the experimental results. Abstract: Bio-inspired Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/ Montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite films were synthesized and applied to High Performance Concrete (HPC) cylinders as coatings. Drop tower tests were performed to evaluate the effects of nanocomposite films on the impact response of the concrete. The preliminary results show that applying PVA/MMT nanocomposite film with 25 vol% MMT as coatings with an approximate thickness of 160 µm, demonstrated an improvement on the impact resistance of the concrete for a strain rate (∼10 2 /s). For specimens subjected to the same impact energy, the damage pattern changed from complete fracture of an uncoated concrete cylinder, to only localized surface damage on the coating and the concrete cylinder substrate at the impacted region. Finite element simulations of the impact tests indicate that robust stiffness, tensile strength and toughness of the nanocomposite film, and strong bonding between the film and concrete have induced strong confinement effects to the brittle concrete cylinder substrate. This work demonstrates the potential application of bio-inspired PVA/MMT nanocomposites as protective coatings for cementitious structures.