Effect of Consolidation Effort on Mechanical Properties of Field-Mixed Polyester Polymer Concrete for Bridge Deck Overlays

Abstract

Polyester polymer concrete (PPC) is a bridge deck overlay product that has been recently implemented in the state of Utah. The objective of this work was to quantify the effect of consolidation effort as a critical step in the development of a standard for quality assurance testing of PPC. Laboratory testing was conducted on a typical PPC mixture from actual bridge deck overlay placements in Utah, and the effect of consolidation effort on several mechanical properties of PPC specimens was investigated. In this study, the test specimens were not shown to be sensitive to the level of consolidation effort. Findings from this study are expected to be highly valuable to state departments of transportation and other agencies implementing the use of PPC overlays on bridge decks.