Durability of Polymer Concrete Structures

A comparison of the experimental results of short- and long-term static strength, creep, plastic deformation, residual deformations, long-term strength of polymer concretes under repeated pulsating loads, etc. revealed the general patterns of all types of mechanical tests and loading regimes. For example, rapid loading to a definite level of stresses followed by unloading shows a direct dependence between stresses and deformations. In polymer concrete, residual deformations are not noticed, deformations dampen on prolonged application of comparatively small loads, and, at high loads, they initially dampen but later rise rapidly. It may be assumed that the commonness of these patterns is due to a common physical mechanism associated with the process of structural changes of the material under load.