EBB 427 Application and Technology of Engineering Polymers (Second Half) Applications of thermosetting Composites: Construction industry

Dr. Hazizan Md Akil School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering Engineering Campus, USM.

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Introduction
There are several advantages of using composites for construction (thermosetting composites): Economic benefits Design flexibility Logistical advantage Behaviour in fire The economic benefits of using composite technology more widely in the construction industry are not restricted to savings in the basic materials or production costs.

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Economic Benefit
The economic benefits of using composite technology more widely in the construction industry are not restricted to savings in the basic materials or production costs. The high strength and low weight of the materials, in combination with foam cores in monocoque shells, mean that they could be used to form long span roofs in sports stadia, for example Reducing the weight of this type of roof in turn offers savings in the supporting structure and foundations

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Economic Benefit
It also offers an alternative to the use of laminated timber beams, which can suffer from corrosion of the steel bolted connections. So life cycle and maintenance costs are reduced too.

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Design Flexibility
Composites are flexible and can form irregular shapes, varying sections or detail features This allows an architect more design freedom than with other materials Applications benefiting from such flexibility include styled entrances to commercial, retail and hotel buildings and shell roofs in atria, shopping malls and leisure facilities.

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Logistical advantage
Manufacturing large, lightweight monocoque structures on site would reduce the need for heavy plant to lift them into place. In some applications, the weight of components could be reduced enough to allow them to be man handled into position. This benefit is already being exploited by the construction industry - composite plates are sometimes used to reinforce existing structures instead of steel plates.

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Behaviour in fire
Of course, many practical aspects need to be addressed before composite technology is fully adopted by the construction industry. The main consideration is the performance of the materials in a fire Composites usually contain a high proportion of fibres and fillers, neither of which support combustion Epoxy resin is not normally fire resistant, but it can be mixed with fire-retardant additives to make the matrix self-extinguishing, with low smoke emission

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Behaviour in fire
Comprehensive fire tests have been carried out relating to the use of composites in railway carriages (both internally and externally) and for aerospace applications. However, these test results have yet to be compared to the requirements of BS 476. This is one aspect that researchers will be exploring.

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Summary
There is no doubt that there are many applications in which complex shape, light weight and high durability are beneficial - the opportunity is there for the construction industry to exploit Ultimately, the adoption of composite technology may well be the result of designers and architects doing what they do best - stretching the ingenuity of engineers to make their imagination a constructed reality.