Stress analysis of runway repaired using compliant polymer concretes with consideration of cure shrinkage

Abstract

When polymer concretes are used to repair runway pavement, difficulties can result, including stress concentration and premature failure. These difficulties are generated by the differences in the mechanical properties of the polymer concrete used as the repair material and the cement concrete of the substrate. In particular, the mechanical properties of polymer concretes, including the coefficient of thermal expansion, have significant effects on the behavior of a repaired runway. Additionally, the cure shrinkage of the repair material is one of the main factors in the premature failure of the repaired part. To investigate the stresses generated in materials and determine the feasibility of using a polymer concrete as a repair material for runway repair, finite element analyses were carried out by considering the environmental conditions and cure shrinkage of polymer concretes. By replacing some amount of the epoxy resin in the standard polymer concrete with silicone rubber, compliant polymer concretes were developed, and it was found that these compliant polymer concretes were able to considerably reduce the generated stress.