CORNET–INDUForm-TRC 2023-2025

CORNET – INDUForm-TRC: Industrial production of form-flexible textile-reinforced concrete components

CORNET, which stands for Collective Research Networking, is a network that combines the funding powers of ministries and different National Scientific Research institutions to increase the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In this way, CORNET also supports new funding agencies worldwide to launch pilot actions and programs for pre-competitive Collective Research. Participation in a CORNET project allows SMEs, SME associations or groups, and research organizations to form an international network and benefit from know-how and resources not available in their own country or region.

INDUForm - TRC project started on 1 May 2023. The project duration was determined as 2 years. The project coordinating institution is the German textile association, Forschungskuratorium Textil e.V., while Türkiye IMSAD contributes as the participating umbrella organization on the Turkish side. The project coordinators for research are Boğaziçi University and the Institute of Technical Textiles (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University.

About InduForm TRC

Following the successful use of traditional reinforced concrete in the last century, textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) was developed in the early 21st century. These materials make it possible to design new and differently shaped elements due to their superior mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, lightweight, and slenderness. Despite the increasing interest in the subject and applications, TRC applications in the precast concrete sector are very limited. While the studies carried out in the past have mainly focused on mechanical properties, the investigation and development of the related production stages have been mostly neglected. As a result, two important problems have emerged. Firstly, design approaches and regulations accepted by the majority could not be established, and secondly, since the TRC industrial production process still requires considerable labor, it has not reached a level to compete with traditional reinforced concrete. In particular, there are problems in the placement, positioning and shaping of reinforcement textiles in concrete. Within the scope of the project, studies will be carried out for the following objectives to overcome these problems.

Project Objectives

Overall Objective

The overall objective of this project is to investigate conventional production processes for the industrial production of textile-reinforced concrete and to develop cost and labor-advantageous process control mechanisms. In line with this objective, the following two sub-objectives will be realized within the scope of the study.

Sub-objectives and Work Packages

1. Development of textile reinforcement elements with variable forms, investigation of properties, and development of production processes such as textile shaping, positioning for selected elements.

2. Develop approaches for the implementation of the TRC production process in existing plants by analyzing the global and factory internal process chain as well as making the necessary investments.

  • WP I - – Analysis and categorisation of geometrical characteristics,
  • WP 2 - Derivation of the textile reinforcement from concrete element design,
  • WP 3 - Analysis and lab-scale implementation of textile shaping concepts,
  • WP 4 - Determination of the structural load-bearing capacity of formed TRC elements,
  • WP 5 - Analysis of the process chain in the precast industries and concepts development for implementation of the production of form-flexible TRC elements in concrete plants,
  • WP 6 - Evaluation of economic viability of developed TRC production process chains.

Final Beneficiaries

The project results are expected to help companies along the entire supply chain, from planning offices and architects to manufacturers of textile reinforcement and concrete elements, to expand their product portfolio to include textile-reinforced concrete elements. In addition, the processing and utilization of TRC can be simplified by recording the limitations and potentials associated with TRC. Finally, comprehensive analyses of existing processes and the necessary investments will help to reduce production and growth risks, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Project Partner

Türkiye

Funding Institution: TÜBİTAK (Project Number: 222N097)

Umbrella Organization: Türkiye İMSAD

Project coordinator for research: Boğaziçi Üniversitesi

Industrial Users Committee:

  • FİBROBETON Yapı Elemanları Sanayi, İnşaat, Ticaret A.Ş.
  • ATTEC Design
  • Plustechno Consulting and Construction Chemicals Ltd.
  • Hidropar Hareket Kontrol Teknolojileri Merkezi Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (HKTM)

Germany

Funding Institution: German Federation of Industrial Research Associations AiF Germany

Coordinating Umbrella Organization: Forschungskuratorium Textil e.V. – FKT

Project coordinator for research: ITA – RWTH Aachen Üniversitesi

Industrial Users Committee:

  • Johne&Groß GmbH, 
  • CBG Composites GmbH, 
  • Hitexbau GmbH, 
  • ARCHITEKT PIDUN GmbH, 
  • Durapact 2.0 Kompetenzzentrum Faserbeton GmbH