Optimizing latex-modified concrete for enhanced workability and durability in pavement construction

Abstract

High temperatures during summer pavement construction can lead to rapid drying, adversely affecting the workability and homogeneity of concrete mixtures, often resulting in quality issues such as cracks and surface defects. This study aims to overcome these challenges by introducing latex modified concrete (LMC) as a solution for enhancing the quality of summer pavement construction. Latex, known for its excellent flexibility and physical properties, is employed to improve the workability and strength of concrete. The study focuses on enhancing the workability and performance of latex in bridge construction within LMC during the summer. The effects of nonionic emulsifier type, alkyl ethylene oxide (AEO) and alkyl phenyl ethylene oxide (APEO), were investigated. In latex, the AEOs with alkyl chains containing 9–13 carbons and 20–40 ethylene oxide units exhibited remarkable workability in LMC. To improve workability even more, the addition of 0.5 wt% superplasticizer per unit of cement was found to be effective. This research contributes to the field by demonstrating the efficacy of nonionic emulsifiers and superplasticizers in latex in enhancing summer workability and their effects on the compressive strength of concrete.