Abstract
Engineers worldwide use various additives or chemical admixtures, such as polymer latexes, to improve the properties of cementitious materials for many construction projects. In this paper, the influence of acrylic or epoxy resin emulsions, along with a polycarboxylate superplasticiser on some basic properties (rheological behaviour, setting time, bleeding, strength) of thick cement grouts is presented. The experimental approach included the use of different polymer dosages mixed with grouts made of low water to cement ratios. The laboratory tests revealed that the incorporation of acrylic resin in grouts marginally affected the viscosity, whereas a significant increase in viscosity was obtained when an epoxy resin was added. Regardless of the prolonged setting times, both polymers improved the development of early or final strength. An acrylic resin dosage ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% and an epoxy resin dosage from 5% to 7.5% displayed the highest strength values, at all water to cement ratios. Additionally, all the polymer-modified grouts exhibited a higher bleed capacity, a fact that is significantly important where the bleeding of the grouts is crucial.
Highlights
The utilisation of a large number of organic admixtures in cement suspensions is vital for grouting technology
By considering the information and findings obtained from this thorough experimental research, the following conclusions can be stated:
The addition of epoxy resin (ER) substantially increased the viscosity of all w/c ratios
Summary
The utilisation of a large number of organic admixtures in cement suspensions is vital for grouting technology. Admixtures contribute significantly to the production of grouts with superior physical or mechanical properties compared to those obtained with the use of neat cementitious materials. Their use leads to improved grouting effectiveness in many construction projects, that require soil improvement and foundation strengthening of seismically weak buildings, ground stabilisation for tunnel construction, grout injection in cracks for the restoration of concrete buildings and grouting of pre-stressed cables in pre-stressed concrete structures, as well as reinforcing the base plate of steel frame structures [1,2,3,4,5]. Polymer–cement composites have demonstrated a discernible increase in mechanical strength because of the strong coherent matrix between the cement hydrate and the polymer membranes [20,21,22]
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