Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Year: 2017
Volume: 12
Issue: 20
Page No. 5312 - 5316

The Use of Polymer in Concrete as Water Blocker in Rigid Pavements

Authors : Khaled Z. Ramadan and Moayyad Al-Nasra

Abstract: The super absorbent polymer is a chemical that has the capability of absorbing water up to 500 times of its own weight at the same time its volume increases substantially. This polymer if used in concrete, fills the voids left during the process of the cement chemical reaction and also during the process of concrete drying. Rigid pavements are subjected to sever wetting and drying cycles especially, if this process is associated with a substantial temperature fluctuation. The freezing-thawing cycle can damage the concrete in an accelerated rate due to the water expansion, creating large hydraulic pressure. This hydraulic pressure is usually large enough to create cracks in the concrete. These cracks can also be filled with water during the cycle of wetting and drying, allowing the water to penetrate deeper into the rigid pavement. The process is very fast, causing substantial damage to the rigid pavement. This damage is relatively costly to repair and also it is inconvenient. The polymer concrete especially if applied at the upper layer of the concrete rigid pavement will prevent the penetration of water into the concrete by providing a sealing layer. The super absorbent polymer turns into gel when mixed with water at the same time expands substantially preventing the water to penetrate into the concrete rigid pavement. This study focuses on the effect of the use of super absorbent polymer in the concrete rigid pavement. Adding excessive amount of super absorbent polymer creates large amount of voids in the concrete. These extra voids reduce the concrete strength and jeopardize the concrete durability. Several samples will be prepared to study the concrete capability to block the water flow. Optimum value of the super absorbent polymer will be targeted to determine the most efficient concrete mix design. The effect of adding super absorbent polymer to the concrete mix on the concrete strength is also one of the main objectives of this study.

How to cite this article:

Khaled Z. Ramadan and Moayyad Al-Nasra, 2017. The Use of Polymer in Concrete as Water Blocker in Rigid Pavements. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 12: 5312-5316.

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