Properties of Latex-Modified Concrete Under Different Curing Conditions (05-2602) - MP-12**
Hani H. Nassif, Rutgers University
Nakin Suksawang, Florida Institute of Technology
Amer Mohammed, Rutgers University

For many decades, Latex-Modified Concrete (LMC) overlays have been successfully used in the United State and have provided protection for many bridge decks and their steel reinforcement. LMC remains one of the most desirable rehabilitation materials for concrete bridge decks because it is easier to place and requires minimal curing. Nonetheless, as the case with any other cement-based material, LMC overlays are sustable to plastic shrinkage and delamination, which are often solved by proper curing and surface preparation. Despite their success stories, many questions have been raised regarding the best practices for placing LMC overlays and the proper curing and placement conditions. The current curing practice for LMC in most States simply follows the recommendation by the latex manufacturer because there is very little information on the proper curing methods. There is a need to establish detailed technical specifications regarding the proper curing and placement conditions that will provide durable LMC overlays. This paper provides an in-depth study of the effect of curing methods on the mechanical properties and durability of LMC. Four different curing methods were studied: 1) dry curing, 2) 3 days moist curing, 3) 7 days moist curing, and 4) compound curing. Results show that extending the moist curing duration to 7 days moist curing significantly improves both the mechanical properties and durability of LMC.