Effect of Curing Condition on the Strength Evolution of Polyether Polyurethane Concrete

Abstract

Polyether polyurethane concrete (PPC) is a new type of cold-mixed and cold-paved material. In this study, the strength evaluation mechanism of PPC was systematically investigated through test methods at different scales. First, the strength evolution mechanism of the polyurethane binder itself was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). Subsequently, different significant influence factors including temperature, humidity, and catalyst dosage on the strength evolution of PPC were analyzed and quantified by indirect tensile test. Third, a systematic statistical analysis of these influencing factors was performed by statistical methods to quantify their contribution to the strength formation of PPC. The strength of PPC was closely related to the strength evolution of polyurethane binder, and the order of influence factors on strength evolution was temperature > humidity > catalyst dosage. Finally, considering these influence factors, a prediction model of PPC curing time was established. The predicted curing time was compared with the outdoor test results, and the results verified the validity and rationality of the model.