New study to reinforce concrete with textiles instead of steel published by Sweden researchers

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have invented a method aimed at simplifying scale analysis, thus facilitating the construction of more textile-reinforced concrete structures.

Karin Lundgren, a professor in concrete structures at Chalmers' Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, explained that by replacing steel with textiles to reinforce concrete, it's possible to use fewer materials and construct slender, lightweight structures with reduced environmental footprint. While the technology for employing carbon fiber textiles exists, it has been challenging to establish reliable calculations for complex structures.

In addition, textile reinforcement technology holds significant potential for reducing environmental impact, particularly in constructing arched floors, which contribute substantially to a building's climate impact. Research from the University of Cambridge indicates that textile reinforcement can decrease carbon dioxide emissions by up to 65% compared to traditional solid floors.

The benefits of using alternative binders in concrete, such as clay or volcanic ash, to further decrease embedded carbon are already recognized. However, uncertainties persist regarding the long-term ability of these new binders to safeguard steel reinforcement.

In a recent study published in Construction & Building Materials, Lundgren and her colleagues introduced a novel modeling technique that proved reliable in analyzing the interaction between textile reinforcement and concrete, thus streamlining the calculation process for complex structures. More specifically, a textile reinforcement mesh comprises threads, each consisting of thousands of thin filaments. When cast into concrete, the mesh allows filaments to slide against the concrete under loading. The Chalmers researchers' modeling technique accounts for these effects. Efforts are underway to further refine optimization methods for larger structures.