Rubber Polymer Concrete RubCon

The samples of rubber polymer concrete (RubCon) (composition 5, Table 1.2), sized 4 x 4 x 16 cm, were tested under conditions similar to those previously described. 

Drying of RubCon samples does not have a significant influence on its strength and deformation parameters due to a very small quantity of the adsorbed moisture (water saturation is 0.045%). 

The tests have shown that rubber polymer concrete (RubCon) is the composite with the highest water resistance. During the exposure of the RubCon samples in 

FIGURE 1.9 Dependence of compressive strength of rubber polymer concrete (RubCon) samples on exposition time at humidity of environment 1 50%-60%, 2 85%-95%, 3 water immersion, (From Yu. Borisov, Yu. Potapov, O. Figovsky, and D. Beilin, Water Resistance of the Polymer ConcretesJ. Scientific Israel Advanced Technology 14, no. 3 (2012) 84-91. With permission.) 

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The ultimate compressive strength of the RubCon samples is 94.8 MPa. It is shown in Figure 1.9 that the strength of the concrete samples decreases moderately regardless of the environment s humidity. After a 50-day exposure, the strength limit stabilizes and remains unchanged until the end of the test. This can be explained by low water absorption of the rubber polymer concrete, not exceeding 0.05%. 

Polymer concrete samples of four compositions (Table 1.2) measuring 4 x 4 x 16 cm are prepared. Control samples were placed in a desiccator containing moisture absorption silica gel composition. Other samples were in environments with various humidity. The influence of environmental humidity on the compressive strength, modulus elasticity, and moisture absorption of furfurol-acetone, epoxy, polyester, and rubber (RubCon) polymer concrete samples are shown in Tables 1.3-1.5 and Figures 1.4 and 1.5. 

Rubber concrete (RubCon) is a new polymer composite material created and studied by the research team of the Voronezh State University of Architecture and Construction (Russia) and the Israel company Polymate Ltd.-INRC. 

Development of a manufacturing process for diene oligomers belonging to a liquid rubber class with viscous liquids consistence allowed us to create a new class of conglomerate polymer composite materials—rubber concrete (RubCon). Rubber concrete is an advanced construction material created over the last few years. It is polymer concrete with a unique set of physical-mechanical, chemical, and technological properties that allow the creation of highly effective building structures and products. 

Experimental research was performed on models of reinforced concrete beams (10 x 20 x 120 cm) with polymeric concrete layers. B 25 class concrete was used main longitudinal reinforcement of A-III class was used in the form of two 8-mm diameter rods and the 5-mm diameter stirrups of the same class arranged, so that destruction would be along normal sections. Epoxy-rubber compositions were used as covering layer materials. All compositions were made on ED-20 epoxy-based resin. Besides fiber glass-reinforced plastic glued by ED-20 compositions based on liquid rubbers, RubCon was used. The composition of the polymer layers and some of their mechanical characteristics are given in Table 6.3. 

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