Contribution à l’Etude de la Durabilité du Béton Renforcé par Matériaux Composites (Fibres de Verre AR) et de PRV sous l’Effet des Sulfates.

Abstract

GFRC and GFRP composites are currently used in several applications in civil engineering and public works. Significantly, the idea of reinforcing the cement or polymer matrix with glass fibers aims to improve the durability and mechanical properties of the matrix such as compressive, tensile, flexural, shear, and breaking strength. The first goal of this research is to investigate the evolution of the mechanical and physical behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete (tensile strength, compressive strength, capillary absorption test, and mass evolution). This tested concrete is reinforced with different percentages of ARHP type glass fibers or high performance resistant alkalis, improving its performance in humid environments (drinking water) and in sea water (the sulfate environment). Whereas, the second objective is to follow the evolution of the mechanical and physical properties (tensile strength, flexural strength, Barcol hardness and water absorption test) of GFRP in different storage environments such as open air (control), drinking water, and sea water (aggressive environment). The tests on the GFRC and the GFRP are completed by a chemical characterization study (XRD, IR, and SEM) of the cement matrix and the resin, respectively. As per the obtained results, we conclude that the reinforcement of concrete with AR glass fibers improves the mechanical properties of concrete, as well as that the retention of concrete specimens with AR fibers in seawater does not affect the flexural strength of the concrete. In addition, GFRP is considered to be a chemically stable material with a shelf life of one year in seawater.