International Concrete Abstracts Portal

Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic wastes could be used in the production of unsaturated polyester resins. If specially formulated, these unsaturated polyester resins could, in turn, be mixed with inorganic aggregates to produce polymer concrete (PC). The results of an extensive research confirm that PC materials using resins based on recycled PET are comparable in strength to conventional PC materials. Resins based on recycled PET could also easily be altered to achieve a relatively wide range in the strength and flexibility properties of the PC, depending on the intended use of the material. PC using resins based on recycled PET may be utilized in the repair and overlay of portland cement concrete structures or in the production of various precast products, such as utility, transportation, and building components. The recycling of PET in PC would help decrease the cost of PC products, save energy, and alleviate an environmental problem posed by plastic wastes.

Industrial floors of asphalt concrete or other bituminous products are deformed under sustained concentrated loads. They are also dark in color and difficult to clean. Consequently, they need to be renovated. The use of polymer-modified concrete (PMC) overlays is an interesting alternative. Reinforced and unreinforced overlays were subjected to static and rolling wheel loads. Reinforced PMC overlays on asphalt showed a high load-carrying capacity. Shrinkage tests were carried out on PMC prisms and on concrete and bituminous overlaid with PMC. A two-layer overlay with wear and leveling layers was less prone to shrinkage than an overlay solely consisting of awear layer.

This research concerns the release of liquid methyl methacrylate from inside of the porous fibers into hardened concrete matrices to reduce permeability. Low heat is applied to the composite. It melts the wax coating on the fibers and dries the matrix, both of which act to move the methyl methacrylate and wax out into the matrix surrounding the fiber. The heat is increased, and the monomer becomes polymerized in the dispersed state into the matrix. Research results showed reduction in matrix permeability.

Given the breakthrough technology creating nonshrinking unsaturated polyester resin, this paper examines what this new technology might do if utilized in polymer concrete. The paper defines the criteria for success for polymer concrete in cast metal applications and, utilizing these criteria, compares the performance of the newly developed, low-shrink, polyester-based systems with an accepted standard epoxy. Criteria examined include (1) stiffness-to-weight ratio equal to cast iron, (2) low coefficient of thermal expansion, (3) temperature insensitive mechanical properties, (4) adhesion to insert materials, (5) low shrinkage, (6) good composite flow and consolidation characteristics, and (7) comparable cost to machined cast metals. The data tends to show that for most applications, these new low-shrink, polyester-based polymer concretes may, in fact, be a new polymer-based alternative for cast metals. Given the lower costs of these low-shrink polymer concrete systems, an exciting new opportunity may be defined. Observations on initial field trials are also noted.

A major problem confronting transportation departments is the surface deterioration of portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements and bridge decks. Some of these defects include cracking, spalling, polishing, and surface erosion. Each of these defects contributes to further deterioration within the concrete structure by allowing an infiltration of moisture, oxygen, deicing salts, chlorides, and other contaminants. Upon contact with the reinforcing steel, rusting occurs, causing internal tensile stresses that result in further surface spalling, hollow plane delamination and cracking. One effective technique used since the middle 1950s is to retard this corrosion process by preventing the penetration of chlorides and moisture into the concrete with in impermeable epoxy polymer concrete (EPC) overlay. These overlays also provide wear-resistant surfaces and extend the service life of the pavement or deck. Documented experience indicates that EPC overlays are cost effective, reduce overall annual maintenance costs, and provide a safe driving surface. This paper presents two project tracking studies. The first is a comparison of a new PCC slab placement to a thin EPC overlayment on an existing PCC pavement installed 15 years ago; the pavements are side-by-side. The documentation compares traffic volumes and surface deteriorations, such as wearability, spalling, polishing, and cracks. The second study involves a thin EPC overlay placed on a badly deteriorated PCC bridge deck 10 years ago to improve skid properties and provide an overall safer driving surface.