Question

4. Polymer concrete may be used for new construction or repairing of old concrete. What is the main advantage over ordinary concrete.

Answer 1

Polymer concrete may be used for new construction or repairing of old concrete. The adhesive properties of polymer concrete allow repair of both polymer and conventional cement based concretes. The low permeability and corrosive resistance of polymer concrete allows it to be used in swimming pools,sewer structure applications , drainage channels,and other structures that contain liquids or corrosive chemicals. It is especially suited to the construction and rehabilitation of manholes due to their ability to withstand toxic and corrosive sewer gases and bacteria commonly found in sewer systems.

Unlike traditional concrete structures polymer concrete requires no coating or welding of PVC-protected seams. It can also be used as a bonded wearing course for asphalt pavement for higher durability and higher strength upon a concrete substructure.

The main advantage of polymer concrete over ordinary concrete is the polymer concrete has many advantages such as high tensile , flexural, and compressive strength , long term durability with respect to freeze and thaw cycles , good resistance against corrosion and chemicals ,good adhesion to most surfaces. It also cost significantly more than ordinary concrete.

The physical properties of polymer concrete is

1. Tensile strength increased by 292 percent

2. Compression strength increased by 285 percent

3. Freeze thaw durability improved over 300 percent

4. Water permeability decreased to negligible value

5. Effect of sulphate attack and acid attack reduced to negligible values.