Feasibility of Repairing Concrete with Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Cloth: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Abstract

This review explores the use of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber cloth as an innovative solution for the repair and reinforcement of concrete structures. UHMWPE is a polymer formed from a very large number of repeated ethylene (C2H4) units with higher molecular weight and long-chain crystallization than normal high-density polyethylene. With its superior tensile strength, elongation, and energy absorption capabilities, UHMWPE emerges as a promising alternative to traditional reinforcement materials like glass and carbon fibers. The paper reviews existing literature on fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) applications in concrete repair in general, highlighting the unique benefits and potential of UHMWPE fiber cloth compared to other commonly used methods of strengthening concrete structures, such as enlarging concrete sections, near-surface embedded reinforcement, and externally bonded steel plate or other FRPs. Despite the scarcity of experimental data on UHMWPE for concrete repair, this review underscores its feasibility and calls for further research to fully harness its capabilities in civil engineering applications.