"Evaluation of Polymer-Modified, Cement-Based Mortars for Replacing Concrete Structures in Cold Climates"

This paper describes the results of an ongoing test program to evaluate the performance of polymer-modified cement-based mortars for repairing surfaces up to a depth of 75 mm (3 inches) of concrete structures damaged due to exposure to cold climates. Twenty-five selected commercially available polymer-modified products, seven containing styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and 18 containing acrylics were evaluated. They were compared with a pure cement-based mortar containing 8 percent silica fume with a water/(cement + silica fume) (W/C) ratio of 0.31. All mortars were subjected to physical and mechanical tests. This paper also presents the performance of the three best polymer-modified cement-based mortars (included in the 25 mortars), installed in 1992 on two spillways of a dam in a very severe environment. The six inspections so far have found that these three products are still performing well after an exposure to very low temperatures for a period of four years.