DURABILITY, STRENGTH, AND METHOD OF APPLICATION OF POLYMER-IMPREGNATED CONCRETE FOR SLABS

The application of polymer-impregnated concrete (PIC) for improving the durability of concrete slabs, especially highway bridge decks, has been widely investigated. For this application, the slab is partially impregnated from the upper surface. Parameters such as drying time and temperature, soaking time, and curing time and temperature, which, of course, can influence the durability of concrete bridge decks after impregnation, were thoroughly investigated. The monomer system of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 1% (by weight) benzoyl peroxide (BP) and 10% (by weight) trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) was generally used throughout the tests. A drying temperature of more than 212 degrees F to 300 degrees F was acceptable for the slabs tested. To obtain at least a 1-in. polymer depth,a soaking time of 4 hours or more was necessary. Steam was found to be an economical, safe and workable curing source for field treatment. With adequate steam, the monomer in concrete can be cured within 30 minutes. A curing temperature of at least 140 degree F is necessary to achieve adequate polymer depth. It is recommended that the minimum curing time and temperature of 60 minutes and 150 degrees F, respectively, should be used for actual field impregnations. The durability of partially-impregnated slabs was evaluated by freeze-thaw tests conducted on 10-in. X 10-in. X 6-in. concrete slabs. It was found that the durability performance of concrete was significantly increased by PIC impregnaton. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation. Work done in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Research Study Title is Polymer-Impregnated Concrete for Highway Application.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Center for Highway Research, 200 West 21st Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78712
• Authors:
  • Yimprasert, P
  • Fowler, D W
  • Paul, D R
• Publication Date: 1976-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 230 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Concrete; Drying; Durability; Freeze thaw tests; Metal working; Polymer concrete; Slabs; Strength of materials; Temperature; Testing
• Old TRIS Terms: Drying temperature; Soaking
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172034
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-TX-77-114-4 Intrm Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: Res Study 3-9-71-114
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM