Italian technological district for the engineering of polymeric and composite materials and structures
Italian technological district for the engineering of polymeric and composite materials and structures

MACE

Innovative Composite Materials for Construction

IMAST members involved:

Objective:

In the construction sector, there is a growing need for innovation to improve the performance of traditional materials for extraordinary maintenance, restoration, and modernization of infrastructure. In Italy, in particular, where the building heritage is rich in reinforced concrete and masonry structures, there is also the need to provide for seismic retrofitting. The application of polymeric or inorganic matrix composite materials represents a valid intervention methodology since the mechanical functional characteristics and durability during operation combined with a high lightness can be appropriately modulated during the design phase.

Objective achieved:

Within the MACE project the following have been developed:

  1. new fiber-reinforced materials with epoxy (FRP) and cementitious (FRG) matrices with better substrate/reinforcement compatibility and better fire resistance than materials already on the market. In particular, for FRPs an improvement in the adhesion between the reinforcement and the cementitious substrate and an improvement in the tensile elongation of the reinforcement of 8% were obtained;
  2. technologies for monitoring the quality of reinforcement from installation to use in service. This activity involved the development of new integrated techniques for the control and treatment of the substrate and for the quality control of the reinforced infrastructure through semi-destructive testing, the study of the applicability of optical fibers as a monitoring technique and finally the verification and validation of the developed techniques. In particular, an IT tool was developed to define the most appropriate maintenance intervention, which resulted in a reduction in intervention times and costs;
  3. innovative nano-structured materials, focusing on their physical-mechanical performance and durability, on new investigation methodologies to be applied to these nanomaterials, and on the formulation of models to verify the applicability of nanotechnologies in the construction sector.

The innovative nature of the materials developed allows for the extension of their field of application for the restoration and consolidation of structural buildings even in the warmest areas of the Mediterranean basin. Furthermore, the new FRGs developed, with permeability characteristics, are eco-compatible with the supports of architectural assets.

Performance indicators:

  • 101 researchers involved (33% women and 36% new project contracts) with an average of 25 per year
  • 1 researcher hired on a permanent basis following the project
  • 8 scientific publications
  • 2 patents