Low Cost Lightweight and Crack Resistant Polymer Cement Composite Mterials for Concrete Repair

The deterioration of existing concrete structures, the necessity to repair a very large inventory of concrete structures, the premature failure of repairs and the need to repair the repairs, the desire to improve durability of repaired structures in a cost-effective way are among the major problems the U.S. Navy is facing today. About 75% of all Navy piers and wharves are over 40 years-old and required increased repair and maintenance. The U.S. Navy is continually looking for the best methods and materials to repair its reinforced concrete waterfront structures. Cracking of concrete and on-going corrosion of embedded reinforcing steel is the principal problem associated with premature deterioration of reinforced concrete structures. The extensive research conducted during Phase I of this project leads us to the development of a simple, low cost process of treating recycled rubber, which was introduced into an off-the-shelf concrete repair product. The use of surface treated recycled rubber in cement-based concrete repair material improved its extensibility and crack resistance properties. During Phase II of this project, it is proposed here to further optimize the concrete repair mixture and demonstrate the feasibility in field-testing by performing the real-life repair of concrete structures. The utilization of waste rubber tires, as source material is compliant with Navy goals for sustainability in construction. This success of Phase II will also allow for commercialization (Phase III) for civilian applications such as concrete buildings, bridges, airfields and highways.