Auxetic boosting of confinement in mortar by 3D reentrant truss lattices for next generation steel reinforced concrete members. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tzortzinis, Georgios; Gross, Andrew; Gerasimidis, Simos
• Is Part Of: Extreme mechanics letters. Volume 52(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Auxetic materials -- Reinforced concrete -- Interpenetrating phase composites -- Reentrant truss lattices; Mechanics -- Periodicals; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Mechanics; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 531.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2022.101681
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4316

Abstract

Abstract: A study is presented on a new method for confining concrete/mortar materials using steel auxetic truss lattice reinforcement. The study builds on major advances in architected materials and a new concept for the confinement of structural members. Numerical results are presented on a unit cell of the new composite including a mortar matrix and a steel reentrant auxetic lattice as reinforcement, followed by a small scale experimental phase where 3D printed steel auxetic lattices are encased in mortar and tested under axial compression. Several findings emerge: the auxetic lattice applies enhanced confinement to the mortar matrix, the new composite exhibits significant strength increase compared to plain mortar specimens and the composite has a remarkably ductile behavior, with a high residual strength that endures to strains in excess of 20%. The experimental results are further validated through computational modeling. The findings of this paper demonstrate the high potential of using auxetic lattices as reinforcement in a concrete/mortar matrix with advantageous properties for structures in terms of strength and ductility which are crucial in the response of structures under extreme loading conditions such as earthquakes.