Temperature effect on the mechanical behavior of resin concrete

The investigation of the mechanical behavior of resin concrete is becoming important, as the types of resins are increasing and the use of resin concrete is no longer limited to repair work. The structural use of resin concrete requires accurate design that can be achieved through the utilization of the Finite Element method which requires a complete constitutive model and full understanding of the mechanical behavior of resin concrete. The investigation of stress-strain relations under repeated loading for resin concrete cylinders, prepared using different types of resins and different ratios of resins to aggregate and subjected to different temperature stations was carried out. Three types of resins (two epoxy and one polyester) available in the market were used at three different percentages of resins, 9%, 12% and 15% by weight to cast the cylinders. The cylinders were then subjected to four different temperature stations of 20, 100, 150 and 200 degreesC and then tested in compression using six cycles of loading and unloading to get the stress-strain relation for each case. Direct compressive strength, split tensile strength, toughness and modulus of elasticity were also evaluated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.