SURFACE TREATMENTS TO MINIMIZE CONCRETE DETERIORATION; LABORATORY EVALUATION OF SURFACE TREATMENT MATERIALS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiated in 1984 a research program designated Repair, Evaluation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation (REMR). One of the REMR work units was the evaluation of surface treatments to minimize concrete deterioration. Many of the Corps' hydraulic structures have experienced concrete surface deterioration due to (a) freezing and thawing, (b) aggressive chemical exposure, and (c) erosion. Surveys by Corps personnel have shown that freezing and thawing was the major contributing factor to concrete surface deterioration followed by erosion. Many different types of surface treatments were evaluated under this work unit including concrete sealers, coatings, polymer systems, thin overlays, and shotcrete. Emphasis was placed on materials that could be applied to the surface to reduce or prevent damage to concrete by freezing and thawing. Polymer systems for sealing cracks by topical application and elastomeric coatings for coating cracked concrete were evaluated. Other coatings for protecting concrete from erosion, chemical attack, and graffiti were evaluated. Latex admixtures for shotcrete and mortar for thin overlays were investigated. Coatings and concrete sealers for protecting concrete from damage by freezing and thawing were tested for their effectiveness to seal concrete from water intrusion, ability to breath (passage of water vapor), resistance to freezing and thawing, and resistance to weathering and moisture. Latex-modified mortars and shotcrete were tested for resistance to freezing and thawing, bond to concrete, and other properties measured. Other tests for materials included bond strength to concrete, viscosity, abrasion resistance, tack free time, gel time, and resistance to weathering.

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station

  3909 Halls Ferry Road
  Vicksburg, MS  United States  39180-6199
• Authors:
  • Husbands, T B
  • Causey, F E
• Publication Date: 1990-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 102 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abrasion resistance; Bond strength (Materials); Bonding; Chemicals; Coatings; Concrete; Cracking; Deterioration; Elastomers; Erosion; Freeze thaw durability; Graffiti; Laboratory tests; Latex; Overlays (Pavements); Performance evaluations; Polymers; Prevention; Sealing compounds; Shotcrete; Surface treating; Viscosity; Waterproofing; Weathering
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack sealing
• Old TRIS Terms: Freezing thawing effects
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Security and Emergencies; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00600461
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station
• Report/Paper Numbers: Tech Rept REMR-CS-17
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 1990 12:00AM