Reinforcing bars for concrete structures
AssigneeDow Global Technologies LLC
InventorsChristopher M. Edwards, Edward L. D'Hooghe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Reinforcing bars for concrete structures, are made from a composite of a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic resin and longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers. These reinforcing bars provide excellent tensile reinforcement, and do not exhibit the corrosion problems of conventional steel reinforcing bars. The rebars are readily formed into a great many shapes that are adapted to many specialized reinforcement requirements.
Claims18
A reinforced concrete structure comprising concrete and a reinforcing bar mechanically interlocking with the concrete, wherein the reinforcing bar has a plurality of longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix of a thermoplastic resin, which thermoplastic resin is a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic polyurethane or a thermoplastic polyurea having a Tg of not less than 50° C. and a hard segment content of at least 75% and which reinforcing bar is further characterized by having:
- a) a lengthwise spiraled portion and a polygonal cross-section;
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- b) longitudinal recesses with a circular cross-section;
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- c) a hollow along the length of the reinforcing bar and a circular cross-section;
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- d) areas of different cross-sections;
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- e) curves or bends along the length of the reinforcing bar;
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- f) intertwining composites;
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- g) a plurality of raised surface dimples on the reinforcing bar;
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- h) a plurality of flattened areas on the surface of the reinforcing bar to create mechanical interlocking;
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- i) a core surrounded by, and partially or totally extending the length of, the reinforcing bar, which core composes a thermoplastic resin, a thermoset resin, magnetic particles, a ceramic, wood, or a metal;
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- j) interconnecting reinforcing bars that form a unitary grid structure;
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- k) interconnecting reinforcing bars that form a shear truss structure;
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- l) terminal hooks;
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- m) deformed ends;
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- n) a combination of bends and twists.
A concrete structure comprising a reinforcing bar embedded in a concrete matrix, said reinforcing bar comprising a composite of a plurality of longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix of a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic polyurethane or a thermoplastic polyurea having a Tg of not less than 50° C. and a hard segment content of at least 75%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.