Enhancement of Compressive Properties of Failed Concrete Cylinders with Polymer Impregnation

Abstract

Abstract Compressive properties of concrete which was failed in compression and then impregnated were investigated. Specimens were impregnated with a vacuum-pressure technique. The two monomer systems used were epoxy and a methyl methacrylate prepolymer system. The mixing ratio of the methyl methacrylate prepolymer system was adjusted so that its viscosity was very close to that of the epoxy system just prior to impregnation. Control specimens (not failed) were also impregnated with the monomer systems and tested in compression to compare their data with the data of the failed-impregnated specimens. The specimens which were failed and then impregnated had compressive data, stress-strain curves, compressive modulus and compressive strength almost identical to the impregnated controls. The work suggests that the epoxy system used in the study fills the void volume of the specimens somewhat better than the methyl methacrylate prepolymer system.