Engineered cementitious composite

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC), also called bendable concrete, is an easily molded mortar-based composite reinforced with specially selected short random fibers, usually polymer fibers.[1] Unlike regular concrete, ECC has a strain capacity in the range of 3–7%,[1] compared to 0.1% for ordinary portland cement (OPC). ECC therefore acts more like a ductile metal than a brittle glass (as does OPC concrete), leading to a wide variety of applications.

Development

ECC, unlike common fiber reinforced concrete, is a family of micromechanically designed material.[2][3] As long as a cementitious material is designed/developed based on micromechanics and fracture mechanics theory to feature large tensile ductility, it can be called an ECC. Therefore, ECC is not a fixed material design, but a broad range of topics under different stages of research, development, and implementations. The ECC material family is expanding. The development of an individual mix design of ECC requires special efforts by systematically engineering of the material at nano-, micro-, macro- and composite scales.

ECC looks similar to ordinary portland cement-based concrete, except that it can deform (or bend) under strain.[1] A number of research groups are developing ECC science, including those at the University of Michigan, University of California, Irvine, Delft University of Technology, the University of Tokyo, the Czech Technical University, and Stanford University. Traditional concrete’s lack of durability and failure under strain, both stemming from brittle behavior, have been a pushing factor in the development of ECC.

Properties

ECC has a variety of unique properties, including tensile properties superior to other fiber-reinforced composites, ease of processing on par with conventional cement, the use of only a small volume fraction of fibers (~ 2%), tight crack width, and a lack of anisotropically weak planes.[4] These properties are due largely to the interaction between the fibers and cementing matrix, which can be custom-tailored through micromechanics design. Essentially, the fibers create many microcracks with a very specific width, rather than a few very large cracks (as in conventional concrete.) This allows ECC to deform without catastrophic failure.

This microcracking behavior leads to superior corrosion resistance (the cracks are so small and numerous that it is difficult for aggressive media to penetrate and attack the reinforcing steel) as well as to self-healing.[5][6][7] In the presence of water (during a rainstorm, for instance) unreacted cement particles recently exposed due to cracking hydrate and form a number of products (Calcium Silicate Hydrate, calcite, etc.) that expand and fill in the crack. These products appear as a white ‘scar’ material filling in the crack. This self-healing behavior not only seals the crack to prevent transport of fluids, but mechanical properties are regained. This self-healing has been observed in a variety of conventional cement and concretes; however, above a certain crack width self healing becomes less effective. It is the tightly controlled crack widths seen in ECC that ensure all cracks thoroughly heal when exposed to the natural environment.

When combined with a more conductive material, all cement materials can increase and be used for damage-sensing. This is essentially based on the fact that conductivity will change as damage occurs; the addition of conductive material is meant to raise the conductivity to a level where such changes will be easily identified. Though not a material property of ECC itself, semi-conductive ECC for damage-sensing [8][9] are being developed.

Types

There are a number of different varieties of ECC, including:

Field Applications

ECC have found use in a number of large-scale applications in Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Australia and the U.S.[3]. These include:

Comparison to other composite materials

Properties FRC Common HPFRCC ECC
Design Methodology N.A. Use high Vf Micromechanics based, minimize Vf for cost and processibility
Fiber Any type, Vf usually less than 2%; df for steel ~ 500 micrometre Mostly steel, Vf usually > 5%; df ~ 150 micrometre Tailored, polymer fibers, Vf usually less than 2%; df < 50 micrometre
Matrix Coarse aggregates Fine aggregates Controlled for matrix toughness, flaw size; fine sand
Interface Not controlled Not controlled Chemical and frictional bonds controlled for bridging properties
Mechanical Properties Strain-softening: Strain-hardening: Strain-hardening:
Tensile strain 0.1% <1.5% >3% (typical); 8% max
Crack width Unlimited Typically several hundred micrometres, unlimited beyond 1.5% strain Typically < 100 micrometres during strain-hardening[1]

Note: FRC=Fiber-Reinforced Cement. HPFRCC=High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "A brief introduction to ECC and ECC technology network". Engineeredcomposites.com. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  2. V.C. Li: From mechanics to structural engineering - The design of cementitious composites for civil engineering applications Structural Engineering/Earthquake Engineering (1993) 10:37s-48s
  3. Li, M., and Li, V. C., “Rheology, Fiber Dispersion, and Robust Properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites, “ Materials and Structures, 46 (3): 405-420, 2012.
  4. M.D. Lepech and V.C. Li: “Large scale processing of Engineered Cementitious Composite.” ACI Materials Journal (2008) 105:358-366.
  5. Minard, Anne (2009-05-05). "Bendable Concrete Heals Itself -- Just Add Water". National Geographic News. National Geographic. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  6. Li, M., and Li, V. C., "Cracking and Healing of Engineered Cementitious Composites under Chloride Environment," ACI Materials Journal, Vol. 108, No. 3, May–June 2011, pp. 333-340.
  7. Sahmaran, M., Li, M., and Li, V. C., “Transport Properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites Under Chloride Exposure,” ACI Materials Journal, Vol. 104, No. 6, November 2007, pp. 604-611.
  8. Li, M., Lin, V., Lynch, J., and Li, V. C., “Multifunctional Carbon Black Engineered Cementitious Composites for the Protection of Critical Infrastructure,” Proceedings of RILEM 6th International Conference on High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites, Ann Arbor, MI, June 20–22, 2011.
  9. Lin, V., Li, M., Lynch, J., and Li., V. C., “Mechanical and Electrical Characterization of Self-Sensing Carbon Black ECC,” SPIE Smart Structures and Materials, Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, San Diego, CA, March 6–11, 2011.
  10. ECC Technology Network - Mitaka Dam accessed 11/11/09
  11. V.C. Li, G. Fischer, and M.D Lepech: Shotcreting with ECC, Spritzbeton Tagung (2009)
  12. Bendable concrete minimizes cracking and fracture problems, MRS Bulletin (2006) 31: pp. 862
  13. Technology Network – Mihara Bridge” accessed 10/28/09
  14. M.D. Lepech and V.C. Li: Application of ECC for bridge deck link slabs, Materials and Structures (2009) 42:1185–1195
  15. Li, V. C., Lepech, M., and Li, M., “Field Demonstration of Durable Link Slabs for Jointless Bridge Decks Based on Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites,” Michigan Department of Transportation Research Report RC-1471, December 2005, 265 pages.
  16. Li, V. C., Li, M., and Lepech, M., “High Performance Material for Rapid Durable Repair of Bridges and Structures,” Michigan Department of Transportation Research Report RC-1484, December 2006, 142 pages.
  17. Li, M., Multi-Scale Design for Durable Repair of Concrete Structures, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Michigan, 2009.

External links

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