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.
