Light Polymer Cement Mortar Overlay for Bridge Decks

A new kind of light polymer cement mortar (LPCM), cement-based intermediate layer modified by acrylic acid, was presented for a bridge deck, based on the advantages and great achievements of light concrete and polymer modified cement concrete in civil engineering. Also, a number of tests were carried out to investigate the performance of the LPCM, such as flexural strength, compressive strength, fatigue life, characteristics of stress-strain curves, and chloride ion penetration test. The results turn out that the density of mortar was about 1800 kg/m³, which means it is a light cement mortar. Acrylic acid does help to decrease the water-cement ratio, improve paste working property, increase flexibility and crack resistance of the mortar, but there is a best dosage of the acrylic acid. Mechanism analysis shows that high-tensile strength of the polymer membrane is the main factor to significantly improve the mechanical properties of the LPCM. It means that light polymer mortar is an excellent flexible cement material. And it can be used at some special places where the thickness, weight, and flexibility are limited, just like bridge deck pavement.