Thermomechanical Characterization of Shape Memory Polymer–Based Self-Healing Syntactic Foam Sealant for Expansion Joints
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 11
Abstract
The failure of expansion joints is a leading cause for structural damage to bridge decks and concrete pavements. A fundamental requirement for sealant is that it should always apply a compressive stress to the concrete wall so that adhesive failure can be eliminated; also, the sealant must contract transversely (in the vertical direction) as temperature rises so that the sealant does not squeeze out of the channel. In addition, it is desired that the sealant has some self-healing capabilities so that cohesive failure can be healed. In this study, a shape memory polymer–based (SMP-based) self-healing syntactic foam sealant was prepared and tested. Special two-dimensional (2D) programming or training (compression in one direction and tension in the transverse direction) and free-shape recovery tests were conducted on the foam to evaluate its capability to serve as a sealant for expansion joints. The functional stability of the foam sealant was evaluated by repeated thermomechanical cycles. Furthermore, mechanical properties tests, including uniaxial compression, uniaxial tension, and interfacial shear, were also conducted. Results show that the smart foam sealant can eliminate the squeezing-out problem if programmed properly, and it has the potential to be used in expansion joints.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The work is funded by Transportation Research Board (TRB) and Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) under Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDNCHRP/IDEA-142. Dr. Inam Jawed is the TRB program manager, and Mr. Walid Alaywan is the LTRC project manager. Mr. Randy Young at LTRC provided the concrete blocks. The authors gratefully thank Mr. Abe King, Dr. Manu John, Dr. Wei Xu, Mr. Jones Nji, and Mrs. Min Hu for the assistance in experiments.
The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the funding agencies.
References
Behl, M., and Lendlein, A. (2007). “Shape-memory polymers.” Mater. Today, 10(4), 20–28.
Boyce, M. C., Parks, D. M., and Argon, A. S. (1988). “Large inelastic deformation of glassy polymers: Rate dependent constitutive model.” Mech. Mater., 7(1), 15–33.
Chang, L. M., and Lee, Y. J. (2002). “Evaluation of performance of bridge deck expansion joints.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 16(1), 3–9.
Fincher, H. E. (1983). “Evaluation of rubber expansion joints for bridges.” Rep. No. FHWA/IN/RTC-83/1, Washington, DC, 15–16.
John, M., and Li, G. Q. (2010). “Self-healing of sandwich structures with grid stiffened shape memory polymer syntactic foam core.” Smart Mater. Struct., 19(7), 075013.
Koerner, H., Price, G., Pearce, N. A., Alexander, M., and Vaia, R. A. (2004). “Remotely actuated polymer nanocomposites—Stress-recovery of carbon-nanotube-filled thermoplastic elastomers.” Nature Mater., 3(2), 115–120.
Lee, D. J. (1994). Bridge bearings and expansion joints, Alden, Oxford, UK.
Lendlein, A., Jiang, H., Jünger, O., and Langer, R. (2005). “Light-induced shape-memory polymers.” Nature, 434(7035), 879–882.
Li, G. Q., and John, M. (2008). “A self-healing smart syntactic foam under multiple impacts.” Compos. Sci. Technol., 68(15–16), 3337–3343.
Li, G. Q., and Nettles, D. (2010). “Thermomechanical characterization of a shape memory polymer based self-repairing syntactic foam.” Polymer, 51(3), 755–762.
Li, G. Q., and Uppu, N. (2010). “Shape memory polymer based self-healing syntactic foam: 3-D confined thermomechanical characterization.” Compos. Sci. Technol., 70(9), 1419–1427.
Malla, R. B., Shaw, M. T., Shrestha, M. R., and Brijmohan, S. B. (2007). “Development and laboratory analysis of silicone foam sealant for bridge expansion joints.” J. Bridge Eng., 12(4), 438–448.
Miaudet, P., Derré, A., and Maugey, M. (2007). “Shape and temperature memory of nanocomposites with broadened glass transition.” Science, 318(5854), 1294–1296.
Mohr, R., Kratz, K., and Weigel, T. (2006). “Initiation of shape-memory effect by inductive heating of magnetic nanoparticles in thermoplastic polymers.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 103(10), 3540–3545.
National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). (2003). “Synthesis Report #319.” Project NCHRP 20-05, Washington, DC.
Nji, J., and Li, G. Q. (2010a). “A biomimic shape memory polymer based self-healing particulate composite.” Polymer, 51(25), 6021–6029.
Nji, J., and Li, G. Q. (2010b). “A self-healing 3D woven fabric reinforced shape memory polymer composite for impact mitigation.” Smart Mater. Struct., 19(3), 035007.
Odum-Ewuakye, B., and Attoh-Okine, N. (2006). “Sealing system selection for jointed concrete pavements—A review.” Constr. Build. Mater., 20(8), 591–602.
Ouyang, Z., and Wan, B. (2008). “Experimental and numerical study of moisture effects on the bond fracture energy of FRP/concrete joints.” J. Reinf. Plast. Compos., 27(2), 205–223.
Patankar, S. N., and Kranov, Y. A. (2010). “Hollow glass microsphere HDPE composites for low energy sustainability.” Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 527(6), 1361–1366.
Price, A. R. (1984). “The performance in service of bridge expansion joints.” TRRL Rep. LR 1104, Transport and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, UK, 4–10.
Ratna, D., and Karger-Kocsis, J. (2008). “Recent advances in shape memory polymers and composites: A review.” J. Mater. Sci., 43(1), 254–269.
Wallbank, E. J. (1989). The performance of concrete in bridges: A survey of 200 highway bridges, Dept. of Transport, HMSO, London.
Xu, W., and Li, G. Q. (2010). “Constitutive modeling of shape memory polymer based self-healing syntactic foam.” Int. J. Solids Struct., 47(9), 1306–1316.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 11 • November 2011
Pages: 805 - 814
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 26, 2010
Accepted: Mar 21, 2011
Published online: Mar 23, 2011
Published in print: Nov 1, 2011
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.