TESTING FOR ENGINEERING AND DURABILITY PROPERTIES OF AN EPOXY MORTAR SYSTEM

Epoxy mortar systems are becoming a more widely used method of repair for reinforced concrete structures due to their high strength, rapid h ardening and ease of application. The durability of some of these syst ems, however, is still in some doubt. In this paper the engineering pr operties and durability of a particular type of repair mortar consisti ng of a two component epoxy mortar system, available in the market and meeting ASTM C881 specifications for epoxy resins, was investigated. The effect of sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride sol utions at 40 degrees C and 70 degrees C on compressive strength and we ight of the epoxy mortar was investigated for time durations up to 100 days. The compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, bond strength and modulus of elasticity were also determined at 23 deg rees C and 40 degrees C along with the water absorption for this type of epoxy mortar. An increase in weight was observed at all ages. The c hange in the durability and engineering properties for the investigate d type of epoxy mortar was found to be tolerable, except for temperatu res close to 70 degrees C where about a 40% reduction in compressive s trength was observed.