Impact of Concrete Mix Ingredients and Surface Treatments on Epoxy Overlay Performance

Abstract

Epoxy overlays are applied on bridge decks after curing concrete in patches and repairs for 28 days. A tensile bond pull-off strength of at least 250 pounds per square inch (psi) is expected from a properly applied overlay. Even though the overlay performance at room temperature is mostly satisfactory, the performance at elevated temperatures is not convincing. The degradation of mechanical and adhesion properties of epoxy, shear stress at the concrete/overlay interface caused by thermal incompatibility, and the interface moisture vapor pressure are the commonly cited parameters for poor bond strength at elevated temperatures. A combined effect of these parameters results in the most unfavorable failure mode (which is bond failure at the concrete/overlay interface) at a strength lower than the specified limit of 250 psi. The moisture migration through concrete depends on many factors including moisture content along the depth of concrete, pore microstructure, exposure condition, and drying period. This study investigated the impact of concrete mix ingredients and surface treatments on the thin epoxy overlay bond strength. The results show that the use of concrete mixes with slag and penetrating sealant pretreatment improves the bond strength.