Abstract
Prepacked concrete has recently been used in the special constructions fields such as underwater concrete work, heavy-weight concrete work, underground structure work, partial repair works for damaged reinforced concrete structures. and polymer-modified mortars have been employed as grouting mortars for the prepacked concrete. The purpose of this study is to recommend the optimum mix design of polymer-modified grouting mortars for prepacked concrete. Polymer-modified mortars using SBR and EVA emulsions as admixture of grouting mortars for prepacked concrete are prepared with various mix proportions such as sand-binder ratio, fly ash replacement ratio, polymer-binder ratio. and tested for flowability, viscosity of grouting mortars, bleeding ratio, expansion ratio, flexural and compressive strengths of grouting mortars and compressive and tensile strengths of prepacked concretes. From the test results, it is apparent that polymer-modified mortars can be produced as grouting mortars when proper mix design is chosen. We can design the mix proportions of high strength mortars for prepacked concrete according to the control of mix design factors such as type of polymer, polymer-binder ratio, sand-binder ratio and fly ash replacement ratio. Water-binder ratio of plain mortars for a constant flowability value are in the ranges of 43% to 50%. SBR-modified mortar has a little water-binder ratios compared to those of plain mortar, however, EVA-modified mortar needs a high water-binder ratio due to a high viscosity of polymer dispersion. The expansion and bleeding ratios of grouting mortars are also controlled in the proper value ranges. Polymer-modified grouting mortars have good flexural. compressive and tensile strengths, are not affected with various properties with increasing fly ash replacement to cement and binder-sand ratio. In this study, SBR-modified grouting mortar with a polymer-binder ratio of 10% or less, a fly ash replacement of 10% to cement and a sand-binder ratio of 1.5 is recommended as a grouting mortar for prepacked concrete.
