High-Strength Field Polymer Modified Concretes

The investigation showed that the rate of increase of slump due to the increase in the polymer/cement ratio (P/C) is less than that due to increasing the water/cement ratio (W/C). It also showed that the P/C optimum ratio within the workable range varies between 0.3 and 0.45 for any practicable W/C ratio below 0.6. It is also demonstrated that liquid polymers of the type used give better mix results when their viscosities are kept low. The polymer modified concrete in this investigation showed a tensile splitting strength increase of 255% and a compressive strength increase of 277% in the respective strengths of the control cylinders. The energy absorption characteristics of the polymer modified concrete (PMC) were almost 3½ times the control specimens making such concretes better suited to such structures as bridge decks and other dynamically loaded structures in addition to their superior serviceability performance in crack and deflection control due to their high tensile and compressive strengths as well as their higher resistance to aggressive environment.