Fibre-reinforced membrane

This technique is similar to the SAM or SAMI technique. The only difference is that immediately after spraying the bitumen, suitable synthetic or natural fibres are laid, followed by new bitumen spraying. The procedure is best conducted with a modified bituminous sprayer capable of dispersing fibres as well. 

On the reinforced bitumen membrane formed, single-size aggregates are spread and lightly compacted. The fibre-reinforced chipped surface may be exposed to traffic or covered soon by an asphalt overlay. The quantities required per type of material and the type of bitumen used are specified by the supplier/producer. 

The results of this technique have been found to be as good as those achieved by the use geotextile and asphalt overlay, at a significantly lower cost (Yeates 1994). Useful information of a recent application of SAMI with fibres can be found in a paper by Sproule et al. (2012). 

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Yeates C. 1994. An evaluation of the use of a fibre-reinforced membrane to inhibit reflective cracking. 2nd International Symposium on Highway Surfacing. Ulster Ulster University. 

The well-known possibilities of the use of textiles and fibres in construction have developed into fields of application ranging from geotextiles to fibre-reinforced concrete, concrete reinforcing armatures made of fibre-reinforced polymers, usually carbon fibre composites (CFCs), textile membranes and sheeting and to constructions made of fibre-reinforced polymers as multi-layer composites. The present book is dedicated to the spectrum of building geotextiles are excluded, since they are less commonly used for building construction and are more common in earthworks, transit structures and landfills. 

Fibre-reinforced composite materials are relatively new and are of interest for primary constructions. These materials are lightweight and may easily be processed into complex forms. In specifically designed primary constructions, the natural forms of organic membranes may have a counterpart in bionic development such as the technical plant stem , which is formed on a model of giant reeds and horsetail (Milwich et al. 2006). 

The current high cost of carbon fibres somewhat limits their application. Nevertheless, carbon fibre-reinforced concrete has been used in cormgated units for floor constmction, single and double curvature membrane structures, boat hulls, and scaffold boards. The overall cost may be reduced if other fibres are used in combination with carbon fibre. 

Tlie membrane bioreactor system incorporates reinforced hollow fibre membranes which GE says are specifically designed to meet the requirements of wastewater treatment. 

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