Graphene enhanced concrete fence

Research Project, 2018 – 2019

Heda Skandinavien AB (HEDA) is interested in using graphene to “reduce the weight keep strength” of their cement foundations (e.g. piles for posts) and improve the mechanical properties of the structures. Development of alternative and more effective methods for fencing is very important for the future fencing applications and related areas due to handling issues, employee protection laws versus cost base. The constant price reduction in the fencing market where quality against price issue is always present, needs innovations to be able to deliver properly. The objective of this project is to be able to reduce the amount of concrete by adding functionalized graphene (FG) while keeping the strength, especially the flexural strength for fence applications. The concept of using FG into concrete is expected to maintain the performance while reducing the weight, thus contributing to a new generation of fence materials in Sweden. Swedish building sector will benefit with respect to improved graphene-based light weight structures for future Swedish sustainable building and constructions. This project is coordinated by HEDA and involves SHT Smart High Tech AB (SHT), and Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers). This project is supposed to be an 18-month FoI litet-project starting from 2018-05-15. Based on the results from the pre-study, the repeatability of FG with an up-scaling level will be carried out; the mixing of FG and the cement on site is another critical issue to work with in order to obtain well-dispersed graphene inside the concrete; and more harsh conditions, like winter (with frost) and/or seaside (with corrosion) will be applied to observe if the graphene enhanced concrete can endure different seasonal environments.