Experimental behaviour of Polyvinyl-Alcohol Modified concrete

This paper reports the results of experimental tests on Polyvinyl-Alcohol modifiedconcrete. The mechanical properties, such as uniaxial compression strength and elastic modulus, andthe influence of a cross-linking agent are investigated. Uniaxial tests under displacement control bothmonotonic and cyclic are performed to study the ductility properties of the new composite materialand the degradation evolution of the secant stiffness. Moreover, SEM observations and EDXspectroscopy analyses are carried out. In some cases a really significant reduction of the compressivestrength is observed due to a pronounced air entrapment in the mixture. Nevertheless, the presence ofthe polymer introduces a considerable improvement in the ductility of the material, drasticallyreduces the surface cracking, which is prerequisite for increasing the durability and for reducingstiffness damage.