Advances in Concrete Construction

Volume 15, Number 2, 2023, pages 75-84

DOI: 10.12989/acc.2023.15.2.075

Application of concrete nanocomposite to improvement in rehabilitation and decrease sports-related injuries in sports flooring

Hao Wang and Huiwu Zhang

Abstract

Currently, polymer matrix nanocomposites (PMCs) are a prominent area of research due to their outstanding mechanical, thermal, and durability properties. The increase in recent studies justifies the possibility of using PMCs in structural retrofitting and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and serving as new structural material. Using nanotechnology, nanocomposite panels in flooring combine concrete and steel, providing a very high level of performance. In sports flooring, high-performance concrete has become a challenge for reducing sports injuries and refinement in rehabilitation. As a composite material, this type of resistant concrete is one of the most durable and complex multi-phase materials. This article uses polyvinyl alcohol polymer (PVC) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes as concrete matrix fillers. Solution methods have been used for dispersing PVC and carbon nanotubes in concrete. The water-cement ratio, carbon nanotube weight ratio, and heat treatment parameters influenced the concrete nanocomposite's tensile and compressive strength. The dispersion of carbon nanotubes in cement paste and the observation of nano-microcracks in concrete was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Key Words

concrete; multi-walled carbon nanotubes; nanocomposite; polyvinyl alcohol; sports flooring

Address

(1) Hao Wang: Department of Physical Education, Xi'an University of Posts and Telecommunications, Xi'an, 710121, Shaanxi Province, China; (2) Huiwu Zhang: Physical Education Department, Baoding Vocational and Technical College, Baoding 071051, Hebei, China.