A new step towards the implementation of EnDurCrete H2020 Project

20 Sep 2019

Concrete samples have been produced and reinforced with sensorized textile

EnDurCrete is a project funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 760639 to develop a new cost-effective sustainable reinforced concrete for long lasting and added value applications.

In particular, the concept is based on the integration of novel low-clinker cement including high-value industrial by-products, new nano and micro technologies and hybrid systems ensuring enhanced durability of sustainable concrete structures with high mechanical properties, self-healing and self-monitoring capacities.

As partner of EnDurCrete, we are glad to announce that we have made a new step towards the implementation of the project.

In the last months, production and testing of the middle-scale concrete samples reinforced with sensorized textile net was carried out in order to investigate the effect of mesh substitution and of strain monitoring by means of the embedded distributed Fiber Optic Sensors (FOS).

More in detail, two samples were produced and tested, with overall dimensions 250x90x10 cm:

• Concrete sample reinforced with traditional steel welded mesh and lateral curbs made of steel bars, sensorized with distributed FOS and with electrical strain gages;
• Concrete sample reinforced with innovative textile mesh (Textile Reinforced Concrete – TRC), and lateral curbs made of steel bars, sensorized with distributed FOS and with electrical strain gages.

Preliminary data analysis of the tests performed allowed pointing out that the optical sensors worked up to failure and that the two samples showed different initial stiffness, likely due to pre-existing crack in the textile-reinforced panel, but the same stiffness in post-cracking stage, which is in line with the samples design.

Would you like more updates about the project? Subscribe to the project newsletter!