• Performance of Materials and Methods for Concrete Crack Sealants

    NCDOT Research Project Number: 2023-07

 Executive Summary

  • The durability of concrete structures is closely tied to their ability to resist the ingress of water and aggressive agents such as chlorides. Cracks act as pathways for the penetration of these elements, posing a significant threat to the service life of concrete structures and raising concerns for infrastructure owners and operators. 

    Sealants offer an effective solution to mitigate these issues, but the abundance of options in the U.S. market with varying qualities necessitates a thorough examination. 

    This study addresses a multi-part agenda related to sealant options. The study first presents a literature review discussing over 20 sealant options commercially available, examining their qualities and implementation. The review is organized into categories such as deck, joint, and crack sealants for a more detailed analysis. 

    The study proposes adjustments to the existing Silane and Epoxy Resin specifications used by to the NCDOT, while also providing sample specifications for potential future use of emerging sealants such as Polyurethane and Methyl Methacrylate by the NCDOT. 

    Lastly, the report introduces SEECS (Selection for Emerging and Explored Concrete Sealants), a systematically tabulated set of guidelines for concrete sealant selection based on various criteria. ​

  
Mohammad Pour-Ghaz
Researchers
  
Mohammad Pour-Ghaz; Amin K. Akhnoukh
  
Nick A. Pierce
  
Mustan Kadibhai, PE, CPM
  
NC State University
  
East Carolina University

 Report Period

  • August 1, 2022 - May 31, 2024

 Status

  • Complete

 Category

  • Structures, Construction and Geotechnical

 Sub Category

  • Bridge Maintenance and Management

 Related Links

Was this page helpful?