Analysis of the Impact of Redispersible Polymer Powder on the Water and Frost Resistance of Cold-Recycled Mixture with Bitumen Emulsion

The subject of the research presented in the article is the assessment of the effect of redispersible polymer powder (RPP) on water and frost resistance of a cold-recycled mixture with bitumen emulsion (BE-CRM). The article presents the results of research on the influence of polymer powder EVA based on polymer (polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate) on the properties of BE-RCM. The impact analysis was determined using the assumptions of the Box-Behnken experiment plan in which three components are controlled. In this case, the variables were the content of: polymer, cement and asphalt emulsion. All ingredients were dosed with a step of 1.5% of the percentage share in the mixture composition. Polymer and Portland cement in an amount of 0.5% to 3.5%. On the other hand, the pure asphalt originating from the asphalt emulsion was 0.0%, 1.5% and 3.0%, respectively. The scope of the tests included the determination of: mixture density, void content (Vm), water absorption (nw), intermediate tensile strength (ITS), to water (TSR) as well as water and frost according to AASHTO T283.

The Effect of Polymer Powder on the Cracking of the Subbase Layer Composed of Cold Recycled Bitumen Emulsion Mixtures

The research was aimed at assessing the effect of the redispersible polymer powder on the fracture resistance of a subbase made of a mineral–cement mixture with a bitumen emulsion. The test was performed at two temperatures, i.e., 0 °C and 20 °C. The prepared mixtures differed in the content of cement, asphalt emulsion, and polymer modifier. Cement and redispersible polymer powder were dosed in 1.5% steps from 0.5% to 3.5% while the amount of bitumen emulsion ranged from 0.0% to 5.0%. The SCB (semi-circular bending) tests carried out in the laboratory showed the dependence of the influence of the amount of binder and polymer modifier on the fracture resistance of the recycled subbase. Mixes containing a polymer modifier in their composition are characterized by a much higher resistance to cracking than traditional mineral–cement–emulsion mixtures. An example is the doubling of the framework’s fracture toughness (KIC) when the amount of the polymer modifier is increased from 0.5% to 2.0% with a constant cement content of 0.5%. The obtained results (KIC) in this case were 2.90 and 5.81. The key is the right ratio of polymer powder and cement in the base composition.

About frost resistance of the contact zone of dry adhesive mixes classes C1 and C2

The purpose of the study: to identify the effect of the dose of redispersible polymer powders and the type of low-modulus inclusions on the frost resistance of dry adhesives mixes made using Portland cement with the concrete base. Methods of research: The research was carried out on the basis of 75 freezing-thawing cycles. The following parameters were determined: compressive and flexural strength on samples 40x40x160 mm in accordance with GOST 30744; bond strength to the concrete base after 28 days hardening and after 75 cycles of freezing and thawing in accordance with GOST 31356. The dynamic modulus of elasticity was determined by the value of the ultrasonic pulse velocity on samples of 40x40x160 mm. The influence of prescription factors on the ratio of these values after 75 freeze-thaw cycles relative to the values after 28 days hardening under normal conditions was studied. Main results: The coefficients of frost resistance of the contact zone of the adhesive mortar made using dry mixes after 75 cycles of freezing and thawing exceeds the values of the coefficients of frost resistance according to the criteria of strength or dynamic elastic modulus. Dry adhesives mixes of class C1 with a dosage of redispersible polymer powder from 1 to 3% and an air-entraining admixture after 75 freezing cycles may be corresponded to class C2. The coefficient of variation in the compressive strength of mortar inside a series of samples after 28 days of hardening under normal conditions is not appropriate to consider as an indicator of the homogeneity of the mortar structure, potentially having a high resistance to cyclic freezing-thawing.

Influence of the polymeric additives on the process of calcium sulfatedihydrate crystallization

The research is aimed to the clarification of the calcium sulfatedihydrate crystals growth and formation of in the presence of the different polymers based functional additives. The calcium sulfatedihydrate crystals have been synthesized both in the pure form and with the additives. The additives have included a super plasticizer based on a sulfonated melamine-formaldehyde resin (SMF), a methylcellulose (MC) and a redispersible polymer powder based on vinyl acetate, ethylene and vinyl chloride copolymers (VAEVC). The X-ray analysis and the electron microscopy have been applied to identify an influence of the polymer additives over the configuration and size of the calcium sulphate dihydrate crystals. The structural and strength characteristics of the gypsum materials have been also investigated.