Evaluation of Injection Materials for the Repair of Deep Cracks in Concrete Structures. Repair, Evaluation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation Research Program.

Abstract : Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., was requested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform a laboratory study to evaluate injection materials for the filling and repair of deep, narrow cracks in massive concrete structures. The emphasis of this study was on epoxies; however, high-molecular-weight methacrylates, ultrafine cements, and polyurethanes were also considered. A laboratory test program was developed to evaluate the properties that are considered to be important for injection materials. These properties included viscosity, surface tension, gel time, penetration, and bond strength to wet concrete. A literature survey and telephone interviews were performed prior to selecting the materials for testing, and a spreadsheet was constructed to aid in choosing the materials to be tested. This report also includes the literature survey and laboratory test data. The objective of this proposed research is to determine the most promising products (materials), equipment, and procedures available that could most effectively be used to cause the material to most deeply and uniformly penetrate and "heal" existing cracks in massive hydraulic structures. (MM)