Crack Sealing and Repair of Older Serviceable Bridges Using Polymer Sealers

摘要

The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of using High211u001eMolecular Methocrylate (HMWM) and EPOXY Healer Sealers for crack sealing and 211u001erepair of older serviceable bridges. The study included the field application of 211u001etwo HMWM materials and one EPOXY material to eight bridges throughout Kansas. The 211u001efield application of the materials was performed in 1992 and the field-testing 211u001ewas completed in 1995. Each treated laboratory testing was performed and included 211u001ethe two HMWM materials and one EPOXY material applied in the field and an 211u001eadditional HMWM material that was not tested in the field. A control set of 211u001euntreated beams was also included in the laboratory testing. Laboratory tests 211u001eincluded wet/dry, freeze/thaw, and salt ponding and were completed in 1995. The 211u001eresults of the field portion of the study were inconclusive. Chloride 211u001econcentration levels of the sealed sections and the control sections were 211u001einconsistent. However, the results of the laboratory tests on the three sealers 211u001etested in the field, plus the additional sealer added for later evaluation, 211u001eindicated a definite difference in the performance of the four sealers. The 211u001eresults of the study indicated that the sealer must be properly applied shortly 211u001eafter the cracks are formed to maximize the penetration and protection of the 211u001estructure. Attempts should be made to clean the crack before application of the 211u001esealers. The optimum sealer would be one with a relatively low viscosity, 0.5 pa-211u001es or less, tensile elongation of ten (10) percent or more and a tensile strength 211u001eof at least eight (8) MPa.