Smart, Bio-Inspired, Nano-Engineered Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites for Sustainable Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Maintenance

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Repair and strengthening of our rapidly deteriorating concrete infrastructure is a major challenge for Canada, and durable, sustainable and high performance repair materials along with effective processes for their application are critically needed. The primary objective of the research program proposed here is to develop Sprayable, Low-Carbon High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (LC-HPFRCC) for repair and strengthening applications. It is further proposed to explore the potential of some of these composites as smart materials and sensors for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Research is proposed in the following FOUR areas: --Development of strain-hardening LC-HPFRCC with a strain capacity approaching 3%. These composites will be based on low carbon matrices such as geopolymers and carry recycled aggregates and recycled fibers. For recycled products, surface treatments including nano-coatings and grafting and cleaning methods such as ultrasonic vibrations and microwaving will be investigated. --Optimization of LC-HPFRCC properties as repair materials including their shear/tensile bond capacity, dimensional, physico-chemical and electro-chemical compatibility with old substrate concrete, and their ability to control rebar corrosion in repaired structures. ---Development of Smart, Piezo-resistive Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (PFRCC) carrying carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes for sensing not only strains and temperatures, but also for sensing changes in the chemical environment, progression of chloride front, onset of steel corrosion and cracking. Finally, it is proposed to evaluate the performance of LC-HPFRCC as rehabilitation materials in four demonstration projects including a bridge, a parking garage, a dam and a school in BC requiring seismic strengthening. Over the next five years, the proposed program of research is expected to provide a total HQP training of 30 graduate student-years.