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High-Performance Concrete with Post-Tensioning Shrinking Fibers

Project Details
STATE

FHWA

SOURCE

TRID

START DATE

01/01/19

END DATE

08/15/25

RESEARCHERS

Dryver Huston

SPONSORS

University of Vermont, Burlington; US Department of Transportation

KEYWORDS

Durability, Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC), High performance concrete (HPC), Mechanical properties, Polymer fibers, Posttensioning

LINKS

Project webpage

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Project description

This research improves upon the technique of reinforcing concrete with dispersed fibers by having the fibers axially shrink after curing to produce a dispersed multi-axial post-tensioned state. Such reinforcing has the potential to increase the crack resistance and durability of the concrete. Preliminary benchtop testing with natural chitosan polymer fibers have confirmed the viability of the technique, where certain configurations show significant strengthening with the shrinking fibers. The proposed research would expand the knowledge base by examining larger scale chitosan samples, exploring steel and nitinol shape memory fibers that produce a similar effect, studying the underlying mechanical principles and exploring direct applicability to transportation structures.
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