No abstract

This study evaluates the compatibility of repair materials for concrete bridge decks. A new compatibility test set-up was designed and tested based on the concrete bridge deck cracking and delamination mechanism theory. The repair materials used in this study include lab formulated inorganic nano-aluminum silicates and commercially available organic two-part epoxy systems. Two different lab test-setups are proposed in this study: a prototype and a full-scale test. The developed test procedures were effective in communicating results in terms of compatibility of material properties, performance and quality. The prototype beams test can successfully serve as a small scale screening test providing insights on materials selection for the full-scale beam tests. The full-scale beams demonstrated the compatibility of the repaired system by providing data on authentic field conditions. Based on the observations it can be concluded that the proposed test setup is effective in examining the concrete bridge deck repair materials performance and selection, and compatibility in terms of mechanical properties and further guarantee the repaired structure safety.

No abstract

Results related to the development of an inorganic matrix that is suitable for filling narrow cracks and thin delaminations on bridge decks are presented in this paper. Almost all the repair materials currently available for these types of repairs are organic polymer based matrices. These matrices create a discontinuity in the modulus of elasticity and water permeability. These discontinuities result in the failure of repairs within about five years. The matrix used in the current investigation has a modulus of elasticity and permeability characteristics that are similar to the concrete used in the bridge decks. The primary properties investigated were: bonding to cracked surfaces, flow characteristics, ease of application, and mechanical characteristics. This paper discusses these properties, matrix performance and matrix viability for use in automated nondestructive robotic delivery system to fill delaminations and narrow/hairline crack in bridge decks.