International Concrete Abstracts Portal

Rapid abrasion of asphaltic concrete and Portland cement concrete pavements due to studded tires and tire chains in snowy and cold regions in Japan has been a serious problem from the viewpoint of environmental and health conditions. To solve the above abrasion problem, resin mortar, composed of methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin and hard aggregate, was applied in an overlay on existing pavements. In addition to its physical properties, abrasion of MMA resin mortar and concretes was first investigated in laboratory test. The remarkable characteristics of MMA resin mortar are its high early strength, curing even in low temperature, and high abrasion resistance. Subsequently, an overlay of MMA resin mortar was constructed on the pavement of the toll road gate. Abrasion depth has been measured for 7 years under traffic loads since 1988. From the results, the performance of MMA resin mortar was compared with that of asphaltic concrete and Portland cement concrete.

The I-80 Donner Pass job was a watershed in the history of polyester-styrene polymer concrete highway overlay; the culmination of approximately ten year’s research and test jobs by Cal-Trans. Completed in 1986, the lo-lane-mile job was highly successful. This paper reviews criteria used to select the overlay chemistry, procedures, equipment and suppliers used in the job; as well as the 1988 review by the senior materials and research engineer. The paper includes nine-year wear data by Cal-Trans and a look forward by individuals currently involved in on-going overlay projects being specified by Cal-Trans. Based on the success of this l-80 job, Cal-Trans continues to specify polyester-styrene polymer concrete for bridge decks and highway overlays.

bridge, decks, ramps and roadways utilizing portland cement B concrete [PCC] that need protection from natural environmental conditions such as wet/dry cycles, freeze-thaw, chlorides from soil [ 11, water or deicing salts, erosion, and abrasion f?omvehicular traffic can be protected with micro-thin epoxy polymer concrete overlays. This paper presents a brief review of three bridge deck overlays in the United States that comply with AASHTO-AGC-ARTBA Task Force 34, Chapter 4, Epoxy Polymer Concrete Overlays [2]. It provides information when to use Epoxy Polymer Concrete [EPC] Overlays, how to place the overlay, equipment options, surface profile selection, physical properties of the EPC and commentary on each project.

Several overlay test sections were placed on two bridge decks and a section of a concrete approach pavement in Fort Worth, Texas, about five years ago. Different monomers, primers, mix designs, and construction methods were used. The same materials were investigated extensively in the laboratory. The test sections were open to regular traffic and tested several times over the past five years. The results and conclusions of this experimental program are presented here.

This paper reports on the overall field performance and some of the lessons learned from more than 100 thin polymer overlays in the province of Alberta, Canada. These overlays were applied between 1985 and 1995 as maintenance work to existing concrete decks, where it was thought that protection against moisture and chloride absorption was needed to reduce the rate of bridge deck deterioration. The paper is intended to answer the basic question what has been learned from ten years of thin overlay experience? Two measures of field performance are presented on overlays in service for up to ten years with special attention to overlays aged from eight to ten years. Various types of polymer overlay failures are discussed. The reported field performance suggests that different proprietary polymer overlay materials have varying degrees of resistance to degradation by ultraviolet radiation. The physical properties of the proprietary overlay materials change with time and exposure conditions. The materials appear to lose flexibility and compatibility with concrete at diiering rates. Field performance indicates that the type of aggregate used in the thin overlay systems also affects the overlay performance and compatibility with concrete. The aggregates contribute significantly to the durability of the overlays. Workmanship, as reflected by contractor experience, is shown to be a significant service life factor. Field experience shows that polymer overlays have been effective in increasing the durability of non-air-entrained concrete exposed to aggressive environments, but the effectiveness was reduced when reflective cracks propagate from the deck through the polymer overlay. Most bridge deck cracks have not reflected through the overlays after eight to ten years in service and remain sealed by the polymer overlays. Reflective cracks are different from most bridge deck cracks in that they require special repairs to prevent propagation through the overlay within a period of several years.