TECHNICAL

GUIDELINES
Prepared by the International Concrete Repair Institute May 2009

Guideline No. 320.2R–2009 (formerly No. 03733)

Copyright © 2009 International Concrete Repair Institute

Guide for Selecting and

Specifying Materials for
Repair of Concrete Surfaces
TECHNICAL
GUIDELINES
Prepared by the International Concrete Repair Institute May 2009

Guide for Selecting and

Specifying Materials for
Repair of Concrete Surfaces
Guideline No. 320.2R–2009 (formerly No. 03733)

Copyright © 2009 International Concrete Repair Institute

All rights reserved.

International Concrete Repair Institute

3166 S. River Road, Suite 132, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 847-827-0830 Fax: 847-827-0832
Web: www.icri.org
E-mail: [email protected]
 About ICRI Guidelines Producers of this Guideline
The International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) was
founded to improve the durability of concrete repair ICRI Committee 320, Concrete Repair
and enhance its value for structure owners. The Materials and Methods
identification, development, and promotion of the most
promising methods and materials are primary vehicles Fred Goodwin, Chair
for accelerating advances in repair technology. Working Frank Verano, Secretary
through a variety of forums, ICRI members have the Dick Bonin
opportunity to address these issues and to directly Joe Daley
contribute to improving the practice of concrete repair. Mark de Stefano
Andrew Fulkerson
A principal component of this effort is to make carefully
selected information on important repair subjects Steven Geiger
readily accessible to decision makers. During the past Narendra Gosain
several decades, much has been reported in the liter­ Pierre Hebert
ature on concrete repair methods and materials as they James Hicks
have been developed and refined. Nevertheless, it has David Karins
been difficult to find critically reviewed information on Peter Kolf
the state of the art condensed into easy-to-use formats.
Jim McDonald
To that end, ICRI guidelines are prepared by sanctioned Kevin Michols
task groups and approved by the ICRI Technical Paul Millette
Activities Committee. Each guideline is designed Clyde Porter, Jr.
to address a specific area of practice recognized as Scott Rand
essential to the achievement of durable repairs. All Jeff Smith
ICRI guideline documents are subject to continual Robert Swan
review by the membership and may be revised as
Aamer Syed
approved by the Technical Activities Committee.
Patrick “Doc” Watson

Technical Activities Committee

Kevin A. Michols, Chair
Synopsis
This guide provides guidance to aid the designer,
James E. McDonald, Secretary specifier, contractor, and manufacturer make
Frank Apicella rational informed decisions in selecting materials
Don Caple for the repair of concrete surfaces. Its primary
Jorge Costa focus is on the components and structure of the
Donald T. Ford selection process itself. To assist with the
Andrew S. Fulkerson identification and prioritizing of the performance
H. Peter Golter requirements, a detailed section on material
Peter A. Lipphardt properties and test methods has been included.
David Rodler
Michael Tabassi
Stéphan Trépanier Keywords
Bond strength; constructibility; dimensional
David Whitmore
behavior; durability; materials selection; test
Patrick Winkler methods

This document is intended as a voluntary guideline for the owner, design professional, and
concrete repair contractor. It is not intended to relieve the professional engineer or designer
of any responsibility for the specification of concrete repair methods, materials, or practices.
While we believe the information contained herein represents the proper means to achieve
quality results, the International Concrete Repair Institute must disclaim any liability or
responsi­bility to those who may choose to rely on all or any part of this guideline.

2 - 320.2R–2009
320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 Contents
The Material Selection Process...........................................................................................................2
Concept of Surface Repair.............................................................................................................3
Structural Applications...................................................................................................................3
1.0 Project Objectives.........................................................................................................................4
Material Selection Checklists
Owner Requirements......................................................................................................................5
Service Conditions.........................................................................................................................6
Application Conditions...................................................................................................................7
2.0 Material Properties.......................................................................................................................8
Service Conditions: Structural Properties........................................................................................9
Service Conditions: Exposure.......................................................................................................10
Service Conditions: Dynamic Loading..........................................................................................11
Application Conditions.................................................................................................................12
Owner Requirements....................................................................................................................12
3.0 Determining Properties..............................................................................................................13
3.1 Bond Strength.......................................................................................................................14
3.1.1 Direct Tensile...............................................................................................................14
3.1.2 Direct Shear ...............................................................................................................15
3.1.3 Slant Shear ................................................................................................................15
3.2 Dimensional Behavior............................................................................................................16
3.2.1 Drying Shrinkage.........................................................................................................16
3.2.2 Coefficient of Thermal Expansion.................................................................................18
3.2.3 Modulus of Elasticity...................................................................................................18
3.2.4 Creep (Tensile and Compressive) . ..............................................................................19
3.2.5 Restrained Shrinkage...................................................................................................20
3.3 Durability Properties..............................................................................................................21
3.3.1 Permeablity.................................................................................................................21
3.3.2 Water Vapor Transmission...........................................................................................21
3.3.3 Resistance to Freezing and Thawing ...........................................................................22
3.3.4 Resistance to Scaling..................................................................................................22
3.3.5 Sulfate Resistance.......................................................................................................23
3.3.6 Alkali-Aggregate Reaction............................................................................................23
3.3.7 Abrasion Resistance....................................................................................................24
3.4 Mechanical Properties...........................................................................................................25
3.4.1 Tensile Strength...........................................................................................................25
3.4.2 Flexural Strength..........................................................................................................25
3.4.3 Compressive Strength.................................................................................................26
3.5 Constructibilty Properties......................................................................................................26
3.5.1 Flow Characteristics....................................................................................................26
3.5.2 Rate of Strength Gain...................................................................................................27
3.5.3 Exothermic Temperature Changes................................................................................27
3.5.4 Hot and Cold Weather Applications..............................................................................27
3.5.5 Working Time..............................................................................................................28
3.5.6 Compatibility with Surface Treatments.........................................................................28
3.5.7 Compatibility with Substrate........................................................................................28
4.0 Selecting Repair Materials.........................................................................................................29
Material Properties.......................................................................................................................29
Selection Considerations..............................................................................................................29
Table: Typical Characteristics of Selected Repair Materials.......................................................32
5.0 References ................................................................................................................................34
5.1 Referenced Standards and Reports........................................................................................34
5.2 Cited References...................................................................................................................34

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 1
 The Material properties and test methods has been included.
Users should note that although there are some

Selection Process references to polymer-based material in that

section, the emphasis throughout is on cement-
based materials.
Concrete repair materials can be formulated to Selecting materials for surface repair is a
provide a wide variety of properties. Because the complex process. Not only must constructi­bility
properties affect the performance of the repair, and service issues be considered, selection must
choosing the right material requires careful study. also be guided by an understanding of the owner’s
This guide is designed as a tool to help the (user’s) concept and the engineering requirements.
designer, specifier, contractor, and manufacturer It is only after these criteria have been defined
make the best possible decisions in selecting and the required material properties identi­fied that
materials for the repair of concrete surfaces. Its the selection of specific materials can be made.
primary focus is on the components and structure Often more than one material or system of
of the selection process itself. To assist with the materials will satisfy the established requirements.
identification and prioritizing of performance Final selection of materials is based on the
requirements, a detailed section on material relationship between cost, performance, and risk.
(See Emmons (1993) for additional infor­mation
on the material selection process).
The initial step in the process of producing
durable concrete repairs is to determine the
cause(s) and extent of existing deterioration.
This forensic phase merits separate treatment
and is beyond the scope of this document. For
further information on structure evaluation see
ACI 364.1R.*
The next step in the selection process is to
consider owner requirements, application con­
ditions, and service conditions. These data are
needed to develop criteria for determining the
material properties which will best meet the
engineer’s and owner’s objectives. Section 1 of
this guide includes checklists to help ensure that
the most important considerations are addressed.
Section 2 reviews the material properties
that should be assessed for relevance on every
project. This section also illustrates the likely
consequences of omission or of unsuitable
choices for each property.
Section 3 works through the process of
determining performance requirements and estab­
lishing priorities. Rarely, if ever, will a material
provide all of the properties a specifier would like
to obtain. Prioritizing the desired properties will
help ensure the best possible outcome when
choices need to be made to achieve the most
effective mixture of properties. Examples are

References cited in this manner are from the ACI

*

Manual of Concrete Practice (ACI Annual).

2 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 approach to durable concrete repairs, see Emmons,
Vaysburd, and McDonald (1993 and 1994).
Material incompatibility is a major cause of
repair failures. Giving high priority to ensuring
compatibility between the repair material and the
existing substrate for the anticipated range of
service conditions will produce good material
selection decisions. Compatibility considerations
must include the behavior of the material in both
cured and uncured states. The most important
material requirement is dimensional behavior
relative to that of the substrate to be repaired. The
Fig. 1: Elements of a composite system dimensional responses of the repair material are
not always identical to those of the substrate, and
provided to assist in relating service and user differential volume changes will cause internal
needs to required material properties. stresses to develop. Typically, these stresses will
Section 4 summarizes selection consid­ affect all three phases of the repair composite:
erations and suggests resources that may help the substrate, the interface, and the repair
identify materials which provide required material itself. High internal stress may result in
properties. A table showing typical properties of tension cracks, loss of load-carrying capability,
the most common repair materials is included. or delamination, and may contribute to material
deterioration.
Concept of Surface Repair
The repair of concrete surfaces involves the Structural Applications
construction of a composite material that, Another difficult challenge is selecting surface
unavoidably, will differ from the original concrete repair materials for structural load-carrying
(Fig. 1). The new composite consists of the applications. Ideally, the repair material would
following elements: assume the stress levels and distribution as they
1. Original concrete substrate; prepared to receive existed in the fully functional member. There
repair material. are two obstacles to achieving 100% repair
2. Interface between existing concrete and new efficiency. (Repair efficiency is defined as the
repair material. ratio of stress carried by the repair compared with
3. New repair material. the stress carried by the member before deteri­­­­­­­­­­
The selection of a suitable repair material is a oration and repair.)
process which must consider not only appli­cation First, how is the repair material loaded
requirements and durability properties, but, more initially? Are loads removed from the structure
importantly, it must ensure that the selected during repair?
material will be compatible with the substrate for Second, how will the dimensional behavior
the repair to be durable. of the repair material affect the level of stress
Compatibility is the balance of physical, carried by the repair?
chemical, and electrochemical properties and It is unlikely that materials will be found which
dimensions between repair and existing phases. fill the repair cavity without shrinking during
This balance is necessary if the repair system is curing, and is identical with the substrate in
to withstand all stresses and strains induced by response to loads and changes in temperature and
the total load envelope without distress or deter­ moisture. Repair priorities established earlier
ioration in a specified environment over a in the planning process may require that trade-
designated period of time. For detailed discussions offs be made. Material selection is a process of
of compatibility issues and the need for a rational arriving at informed compromises.

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 3
 1.0 Project
Objectives
Before the material selection process can begin,
the specifier will need to identify the following:
1. Cause(s) of Deterioration
Determining the cause of existing deterior­ation
merits separate treatment and is beyond the
scope of this document.
2. Owner Requirements
The vision for the project needs to be clearly
understood. Expected service life, appearance,
structure utilization needs during rehabili­
tation, and budget are questions that must be
addressed at the outset.
3. Service Conditions
All components of the load envelope including
weather factors, chemical environment, and
live loads need to be assessed to identify the
physical and mechanical properties needed.
4. Application Conditions
Expected weather conditions, access, project
time frame, and operating conditions may
critically affect material selection.
The checklist which follows will help ensure
that many of the most important issues will be
considered and resolved at the optimum time—
before the project is underway.

4 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
Material Selection Checklist
Owner Requirements

Required appearance:
yes no Comments

Repair visible _______ _______ _______________________________

Crack free _______ _______ _______________________________

Surface texture _______ _______ _______________________________

Color considerations _______ _______ _______________________________

Repair work interference with the use of the structure:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Turn around time_ _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Expected life of repair:

How long_____________________________________________________________

Maintenance interval___________________________________________________

Tolerance for repair failure:

Type of failure:

cracking______ disintegration_ ______ delamination_______ appearance______

Effect of failure on:

personal injury_ _______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

process interruption____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

structural performance_ ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

environment_ _________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 5
Material Selection Checklist
Service Conditions
Load carrying requirements:
Dead loads_ ______________________ Live loads___________________________

External loading: yes no Comments

Wheel _______ _______ _______________________________

Pedestrian _______ _______ _______________________________

Static _______ _______ _______________________________

Impact _______ _______ _______________________________

Liquids—static _______ _______ _______________________________

Liquids—moving _______ _______ _______________________________

Exposure conditions:
Atmospheric type___________________________________________
gases:
r yes r no concentration_ _________________________________

duration_______________________________________

frequency______________________________________

Chemicals type___________________________________________
in contact:
r yes r no concentration_ _________________________________

duration_______________________________________

frequency______________________________________

UV exposure: type___________________________________________
r yes r no
concentration_ _________________________________

duration_______________________________________

frequency______________________________________

Moisture type___________________________________________
conditions:
r yes r no concentration_ _________________________________

duration_______________________________________

frequency______________________________________

Temperature type___________________________________________
extremes:
r yes r no range_ ________________________________________

duration_______________________________________

frequency______________________________________

6 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
Material Selection Checklist
Application Conditions
Application conditions:
Access_______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Wind velocity__________________________________________________________

Temperature: substrate__________________ environment_________________

Moisture: substrate__________________ environment_________________

Turn around time_ _____________________________________________________

Loading: vibrations__________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

deflection__________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Geometric configuration of repair:

Exposed surface area__________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Surface orientation:

horizontal _______________vertical ________________overhead_______________

Thickness of repair_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Size of exposed reinforcing bars_________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
Spacing of reinforcing bars_ ____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Clearance between reinforcing bars and substrate_________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Clearance between reinforcing bars______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Application method and placement properties:

Method_______________________________________________________________

Properties: Flowability________________________________________________

Non-sag__________________________________________________

Set time__________________________________________________

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 7
 2.0 Material
Properties
Selecting repair materials that will perform
satisfactorily under anticipated application and
service conditions requires an understanding of
how the new composite will respond to those
conditions. For each condition, a response (effect)
is generated. The response may occur at one or
more locations within the repaired member: the
surface, repair material, reinforcing steel, bond
interface, or the substrate.

Example 1
Condition: Calcium chloride and moisture
deposited on surface.
Response: As this cycle is repeated over time,
chloride and moisture will penetrate through the
concrete cover to the reinforcing steel. As
threshold concentrations are reached, corrosion
begins.

Example 2
Condition: Steel wheel travel over repaired joint
nosing.
Response: Surface of repair is subjected to
impact loading. This load will be distributed to
the interface between the substrate and the new
nosing material. If the load is not efficiently
transmitted across the interface, failure of the
repair material is likely.

Understanding the repair material’s response

to each component of expected service conditions
helps the user establish the specific material
properties required to produce a durable repair.
To help the user identify required properties,
the tables on the following pages provide
examples of the structural, service, construct­
ibility, and appearance issues that should be
addressed and resolved in the planning stage for
most repair projects.

8 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
Service Conditions: Structural Properties
Performance Undesirable Response
Requirements (results if wrong material is selected) Desirable Properties
Bond to substrate Loss of bond, Tensile bond
delamination;
detachment of repair
from substrate

Load carrying Does not carry Modulus of elasticity

as intended by loads as anticipated, similar to substrate
the engineer overstressing either
substrate or repair
material

Carries loads initially, Very low

but over time, the repair compressive creep
relaxes under creep
deformation

Drying shrinkage causes Very low

material to lose volume, drying shrinkage
reducing its ability to
carry compressive loads

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 9
Service Conditions: Exposure
Performance Undesirable Response
Requirements (results if wrong material is selected) Desirable Properties
Ambient Cracking in repair Thermal coefficient
temperature material due to thermal similar to that of
changes contraction stresses substrate

Spalling due to thermal Thermal coefficent similar

expansion stresses in to that of substrate
substrate

Temperature Low exotherm during cure

changes within Deformation due to
repair material thermal expansion from
at early ages high exotherm

Cracking due to thermal

contraction stresses in
repair material

Atmospheric gases Corrosion of Low permeability;

and reinforcing steel no cracks
chemical contact

Moisture conditions, Disintegration Resistance to freezing

saturation; of cement matrix and thawing
freez­­ing and
thawing

Moisture Cracking due to drying Very low drying shrinkage;

conditions shrinkage stresses low permeability

10 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
Service Conditions: Dynamic Loading
Performance Undesirable Response
Requirements (results if wrong material is selected) Desirable Properties
High velocity flow Erosion by High compressive strength;
cavitation high tensile strength; small
maximum size aggregate

Low velocity Erosion by abrasion High abrasion

flow with resistance; high
waterborne debris compressive strength;
large maximum
size aggregate

Vehicle wheels Abrasion damage High compressive strength;

to surface high abrasion resistance

Edge spalling at joints High compressive,

tensile, and bond strengths;
tensile anchorage into
substrate

Delamination High compressive,

tensile, and bond strengths;
tensile anchorage into
substrate

Impact Spalling High tensile and impact

strengths; internal tensile
reinforcement; high
compressive strength

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 11
Application Conditions
Condition Performance Requirements Desirable Properties
Constructibility Quick Rapid strength gain
turn-around time

Flowability High flow

Trowel overhead Non-sag

Owner Requirements
Performance Undesirable Response
Requirements (results if wrong material is selected) Desirable Properties
Appearance Drying shrinkage cracks Low drying shrinkage

Plastic shrinkage cracks Low surface water

loss during placement

12 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 3.0 Determining
Properties
Repair materials should not be specified until the
properties that will best satisfy overall project
objectives are determined. These properties need
to be identified and prioritized. The discovery of
a material providing all of the optimum values
of the many properties under consideration is
unlikely. Optimizing one property will most
likely be achieved at the expense of other needed
properties. For example, an increase in cement
content to obtain high compressive strength
will usually be accompanied by an increase in
drying shrinkage.
The highest repair performance cannot be
achieved unless competing demands have been
prioritized, and those properties most critical
to the success of the repair are specified.
Once the needs and performance criteria for
the repair project are established (1.0 Project
Objectives), a list of desirable properties is
developed. Properties should be classified and
organized as basic or special needs. Basic
properties are those required to produce a funda­
mentally sound repair. Typically, these will be
consistent through a broad range of repair
applications. Special properties are those which
adjust material performance to enhance dura­
bility within a specific load envelope. Since the
relative importance of special properties is highly
situational, the mix of properties selected may
vary substantially from one application to the
next. Once basic requirements have been ident­
should not be confused with “polymer” repair
ified, special property needs may be identified
materials and mortars. Typically, “polymer-
and ranked in descending order of importance.
modified” refers to the addition of a latex (powder
Properties which are not required should not be
or liquid) to a portland cement-based mortar.
listed. Compromise in basic properties to
When cured, the resulting concrete contains a
enhance special property perfor­m ance risks
continuous, interconnected matrix of latex
repair failure. Two sample lists are shown on the
polymer particles.
following page.
Polymer concretes and repair mortars are
Note: Although this section contains some generally thermosetting plastic materials, usually
references to polymer matrix materials, the containing an aggregate filler. Materials such as
emphasis throughout is on cement-based epoxies, polyesters, vinyl esters and methyl-
materials. “Polymer-modified” repair materials methacrylates are “polymers.”

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 13
Examples of Prioritizing Property Needs
Example 1: Partial column repair Example 2: Slab resurfacing
The columns exhibit numerous spalls caused by Constant abrasion of wheel loads cuts depressions
carbonation and subsequent corrosion. The environ­ in the slab, causing the surface to become irregular.
mental temperature is fairly stable throughout the Exterior environment is subject to chlorides.
year. To assure adequate load distribution throughout
Basic property needs
the member, the repair composite must be able to
1. Bond new to old
carry a proportional amount of the compressive load.
2. Very low drying shrinkage
Basic property needs
Special property needs
1. Bond new to old
1. Similar coefficient of thermal expansion
2. Very low drying shrinkage
2. Sufficient abrasion resistance
Special property needs 3. Compressive strength to transfer wheel loads
1. Modulus of elasticity similar to existing to underlying concrete substrate
concrete 4. Low permeability to reduce exposure of steel
2. Very low compressive creep reinforcing to chlorides
3. Resistance to carbonation and moisture intrusion

3.1 Bond Strength

In most cases, good bond between the repair and caution. Tendons should be located prior to
the existing concrete substrate is a primary conducting any coring operations.) The coring
requirement for a successful repair. A properly procedures should be conducted in accordance
prepared substrate will almost always provide with ICRI Technical Guideline No. 210.3-2004
sufficient bond strength. Instances of bond failure (formerly No. 03739) so as to not break off the
between repair materials and a properly prepared core at the substrate. The drilling equipment
concrete substrate are frequently caused by differ­ should be in good condition and secured to avoid
ential thermal strains or drying shrinkage and are lateral movement and maintain proper alignment
not a result of inadequate bond strengths. to the coring surface, without unnecessary
Bond is best specified as a surface prepar­ation movement that could negatively impact the test
requirement. The test methods described below sample. While the core remains connected to the
are most valid when used in conjunction with substrate, a tensioning device is attached to the
surface preparation, application techniques, core and loaded until failure occurs. Tensile
and substrate of the actual or a similar repair. values are determined by dividing the load at
System­a tic follow-up testing on completed failure by the cross-sectional area of the core.
repairs should be specified to verify compliance
Test Methods:
with engineering requirements. Of the test
ASTM C1583, Standard Test Method for Tensile
methods described, direct tensile is the only
Strength of Concrete Surfaces and the Bond
method which can provide on-site strength data.
Strength or Tensile Strength of Concrete Repair
and Overlay Materials by Direct Tension (Pull-
3.1.1 Bond Strength—Direct Tensile off Method)
Direct tensile testing (Fig. 3-1) measures the
tensile bond or tensile strength of surface repairs ICRI Technical Guideline No. 210.3-2004
and overlays. Tensile testing will expose the (formerly No. 03739), Guide to Using In-Situ
location of the weakest link in the composite Tensile Pull-Off Test to Evaluate Bond of
system (repair material, interface, and substrate). Concrete Surface Materials
Uniaxial testing equipment can be used to Minimum Requirement: 250 psi (1.71 MPa).
perform both field and laboratory tests. In-situ Minimum requirements of all properties are
testing is performed by coring through the repair subject to the judgment of the designer or specifier
material into the substrate. (Caution—In post- depending on the type of structure, repair appli­
tensioned structures, proceed with extreme cation, exposure conditions, and other factors.

14 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
Fig. 3-1: Direct tensile bond test Fig. 3-2: Shear bond test Fig. 3-3: Slant shear bond test

Experience demonstrates that bond strengths from the field or prepared in the labor­atory. Shear
of 250 psi (1.71 MPa) or greater can be achieved bond values are determined by dividing the recorded
with available repair techniques in moderate to load at failure by the bond area.
good quality concrete; however, many specifiers Test Method: Michigan DOT Shear Bond
use an acceptance criteria less than 250 psi
Minimum Requirement: (see commentary)
(1.71 MPa) (ICRI Technical Guideline
No. 210.3-2004 [formerly No. 03739]). Test Commentary: Values derived from this method
values lower than 175 psi (0.008 MPa) may are highly dependent upon substrate strength and
indicate, depending on the location of the fracture, surface preparation methods. For comparison
a repair material or substrate with inadequate purposes, differences between specimens in either
tensile or compressive strength, a contaminated variable will render the data meaningless. This
substrate surface, or a bruised/ microfractured statement is valid for all bond test procedures.
substrate. Low substrate tensile strength results The most useful testing of this type will be done
(that is, low test results where failure occurs with substrate materials removed from the structure
within the substrate) may warrant a reassessment to be repaired, and prepared exactly as they would
of the effectiveness of the specified repair be by field personnel. If shear bond values are
application. The specifier should be notified of specified as material requirements, they should
the conditions in order to evaluate whether to be verified as described immediately above. If
continue with proposed repairs. measurement of tensile bond in the repair composite
Commentary: The direct tensile test (ICRI is specified, it may be redundant to also specify
210.3-2004 and ASTM C1583) is an important direct shear bond requirements.
quality assurance/quality control test. Both ICRI
210.3-2004 and ASTM C1583 provide a 3.1.3 Bond Strength—Slant Shear
description of the procedures and equipment Bond strengths determined by slant-shear tests
needed for tensile testing. The test method (Fig. 3-3) are most often reported by material
provides a reasonable technique for evaluating suppliers. Bond values are determined by dividing
materials, substrate, preparation, and placement the load at failure by the elliptical bond area.
procedures. Significant material weakness Test Methods:
or deficiencies in preparation or placement will
ASTM C882, Bond Strength of Epoxy-Resin
be detected.
Systems Used with Concrete**
3.1.2 Bond Strength—Direct Shear ASTM C1042, Bond Strength of Latex Systems
Used with Concrete
Direct shear testing (Fig. 3-2) measures the shear
strength of the bond between the repair material
and the substrate. A special guillotine apparatus ** Test methods cited in this manner are from the
is used to subject core specimens to direct shear American Society for Testing and Materials
loads. Specimen cores for testing may be removed Annual Book of ASTM Standards.

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 15
 If εsh = 0 No stress occurs.
εsh Drying Shrinkage (εsh)
If εsh > 0 Shear bond is stressed. Loads carried by repair
are reduced; tension in repair material

If the old material has already developed a stable

drying shrinkage volume, the following stresses will
occur according to the amount of drying shrinkage of
the new material.

Fig. 3-4: In repair applications, drying shrinkage causes stress at the interface

Test Methods (continued):

AASHTO T237, Testing Epoxy Resin
Adhesive***
Minimum Requirement: (see commentary)
Commentary: Bond strengths determined by
slant shear tests are highly dependent on the
compressive strength of the substrate portion of
the test cylinder. Therefore, slant shear bond
strengths have little or no value in comparing
alternate materials—unless the tests were conducted
with equal substrate strengths. Results of screening
tests reported by Best and McDonald (1990) Fig. 3-5: Shrinkage cracks
indicated that, for a constant substrate strength,
slant shear bond strengths for both dry and wet to many failures (Fig. 3-4). These include
surfaces are generally proportional to the compres­ shrinkage cracking, delamination, loss of load-
­sive strength of the repair material. Subsequent carrying capacity, corrosion of embedded rein­
tests on selected repair materials revealed poor forcing steel, and poor appearance (Fig. 3-5).
corre­lation between bond strengths determined One of the greatest challenges in the selection of
by slant-shear and direct tension test methods. repair materials is to achieve relative dimen­sional
compatibility with the substrate. Though difficult,
the selection of repair materials with minimal
3.2 Dimensional Behavior drying shrinkage is critical for durable repairs.
Relative dimensional changes between a surface The identification and selection of low shrinkage
repair material and an existing substrate can materials requires an understanding of the drying
affect bond, ability to carry loads, durability, and shrinkage process. Repair materials are frequently
appearance. Drying shrinkage, thermal coefficient, mixed and placed with more water than needed
modulus of elasticity, and creep are all material for hydration. As the repair assumes the humidity
properties which influence dimensional behavior. of the surrounding environment, the material
shrinks in volume, and tensile stresses accumulate
3.2.1 Drying Shrinkage in the repair material. Wet curing of cementitious
It is extremely important to specify drying materials will postpone the start of the drying
shrinkage limits for hydraulic cement-based process, and may cause slight expansion. As the
materials. Experimental results and evidence repair material contracts, it resists cracking until
from the field strongly suggest that volume the stress exceeds its tensile strength. The time
changes in cement-based repair materials lead required for a repair material to approach a constant
volume is dependent upon the following variables:
• Ambient temperature
***Test methods cited in this manner are from the
American Assocation of State Highway and • Rate of hydration
Transportation Officials Standard Specifications • Mass of the material (larger takes longer)
for Transportation Materials and Methods of • Permeability of the repair material
Sampling and Testing. (low permeability takes longer)

16 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 • Ambient relative humidity (dry environments Magnitude, % Classification
shorten the process) < 0.025 very low
• Relative humidity of the substrate 0.025 to 0.05 low
The majority of ultimate drying shrinkage may
0.05 to 0.10 moderate
occur within thirty days, or require as long as a
> 0.10 high
year and longer to complete.
Fig. 3-6: Drying shrinkage classification
Test Method: ASTM C157, Length Change of
Hardened Hydraulic Cement Mortar and Concrete,
Test results are not comparable unless all other
as modified below:
variables are rigorously controlled. The test regimen
1. Remove sample from mold at 23½ ± ½ hours
must be identical in all respects, including specimen
and make initial observation immediately. (For
size, temperature, relative humidity, number of days
rapid hardening materials, remove sample
moist curing, and duration. Standard specimen size
from mold at 3 hours and make initial obser­
is 1 x 1 x 11¼ in. (25 x 25 x 275 mm) for mortars
vation immediately. Subsequent comparator
and 4 x 4 x 11¼ in. (100 x 100 x 275 mm) for
readings are to be taken at 23½ ± ½ hours and
concretes. A 3 x 3 x 11¼ in. (75 x 75 x 275 mm)
thereafter as scheduled in No. 3 below).
sample size may be substituted for the larger 4 in.
2. Air cure and store samples at a temperature of
(100 mm) size (refer to ASTM C157).
73°F (23°C) and 50% RH.
3. Take comparator readings at ages of 4, 7, 14, Recommended Minimum Values: A Corps of
28, and 56 days. For samples larger than Engineers study to develop performance criteria
1 in. (25 mm), continue measurements until for concrete repair materials proposes the following
90% of ultimate drying shrinkage is reached. classification (Fig. 3-6) for drying shrinkage
Ultimate shrinkage is to be determined as (Emmons and Vaysburd 1995).
described in ASTM C596 Drying Shrinkage Commentary: Although repair materials with
of Mortar Containing Portland Cement. low drying shrinkage may crack after placement,

Fig. 3-7: Test results of 46 repair materials. The magnitude of variation

demonstrates the need for careful investigation of actual shrinkage properties

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 17
 an = a0 No stress occurs.
an Thermal
coefficient of
If an > a0 Shear bond is stressed.
ao expansion (a)

Given a temperature change evenly distributed through the materials, the

following stresses will occur according to the relationship of
the thermal coeffecients of the new and old materials.

Fig. 3-8: Thermal coefficient of expansion

high shrinkage materials carry a much higher ASTM D696, Coefficient of Linear Thermal
probability of developing drying shrinkage Expan­sion of Plastics (use for unfilled polymers,
cracks. An ideal repair material would have no that is,, epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, MMA, resins only)
drying shrinkage. Shrinkage values vary greatly Commentary: Although the coefficient of expan­
between mixture proportions, manufacturers, and sion of conventional concrete will vary somewhat,
products. This fact was demonstrated by Gurjar depending on the type of aggregate, it is usually
and Carter (1987) in tests on forty-six repair assumed to be about 6 millionths per degree
materials. These test results have been sorted and Fahrenheit (6 x 10-6/°F; 10.9 x 10-6/°C). Generally,
categorized as shown in Fig. 3-7 (previous page). cement-based repair materials will exhibit a
The magnitude of variation in these data is coefficient of expansion similar to that of concrete.
convincing evidence that careful investigation of However, the use of polymer-matrix based
actual shrinkage properties needs to precede the materials in repairs subject to wide variations in
selection of suitable repair materials. From those temperature will require careful consideration.
materials having the other desired properties, the According to ACI 503.5R, the coefficient of
material with the lowest drying shrinkage should expansion for unfilled polymers such as methyl
be selected. methacrylates, epoxies, polyesters, polyurethanes,
and styrene-butadiene is 4 to 18 times greater than
3.2.2 Coefficient of that of concrete. The addition of fillers or
Thermal Expansion aggregate to polymers will improve thermal
All materials expand and contract with changes compatibility—but the coefficient of expansion
in temperature. For a given change in temper­ for the polymer-aggregate combin­ations will still
ature, the amount of expansion or contraction be 1.5 to 5 times that of concrete. As a result,
depends on the coefficient of thermal expansion polymer repair materials will attempt to expand
of the material (Fig. 3-8). or contract more than the concrete substrate. This
movement, when restrained through bond to the
Test Methods:
existing concrete, induces stress that can cause
CRD-C 39, Coefficient of Linear Thermal cracking and delamination as the repair material
Expan­sion of Concrete* (use for portland cement- attempts to contract, or buckling and spalling as
based concrete, concrete repair mortars and polymer- it expands. Thermal compatibility is especially
modified portland cement repair mortars) important in large repairs. To minimize expansion
ASTM C531, Linear Shrinkage and Coefficient and contraction stress, polymer mortars and
of Thermal Expansion of Chemical Resistant polymer concretes are typically recommended
Mortars, Grout, and Monolithic Surfacings (use only in small volume or layered repairs when used
for polymer-based, aggregate filled mortars and in exterior applications.
grouts, that is,, epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester,
MMA, and sulfur-based materials) 3.2.3 Modulus of Elasticity
Modulus of elasticity is a measure of stiffness.
* Test methods cited in this manner are from Hand­ Higher modulus materials will deform less under
book of Concrete and Cement U.S. Army Engineer a given load than will lower modulus materials
Waterways Experiment Station (USAEWES 1949) (Fig. 3-9).

18 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 If Enew = Eold No stress occurs.
Modulus of
Eold Enew
elasticity (E) If Enew > Eold

Shear bond is stressed.

Given an evenly distrubuted load, the following Brittle material may
stresses will occur according to the relationship become overstressed.
of the modulus of elasticity of the new and old
materials.

Fig. 3-9: Modulus of elasticity

Test Methods: occurs without migration of moisture to or from

ASTM C469, Static Modulus of Elasticity and the concrete, and drying creep is that creep caused
Poisson’s Ratio of Concrete in Compression (use by drying.
for portland cement based concrete, concrete Test Methods:
repair mortars and polymer-modified portland
ASTM C512, Standard Test Method for Creep of
cement repair mortars)
Concrete in Compression (for portland cement-
ASTM C580, Flexural Strength and Modulus of based concrete, repair materials and polymer-
Elasticity of Chemical Resistant Mortars, Grouts modified portland cement repair mortars)
and Monolithic Surfacings (use for polymer
ASTM C1181, Standard Test Method for Compres­
based, aggregate filled mortars and grouts, that
sive Creep of Chemical Resistant Polymer
is,, epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, MMA, and sulfur
Machinery Grouts (for polymer-based, aggregate-
based materials)
filled mortars and grouts, that is, epoxy, polyester,
Recommended Value: (see commentary) vinyl ester, MMA, and sulfur-based materials)
Commentary: The modulus of elasticity of a Commentary: In structural repairs, creep of the
structural repair material should be similar to that repair materials should be similar to that of the
of the concrete substrate to achieve uniform load
concrete substrate. For protective repairs, however,
transfer across the repaired section. However,
higher creep can be an advantage. In the latter
for non-structural applications, it is desirable to
case, strain relaxation through tensile creep
specify a repair material with a lower modulus of
reduces the potential for cracking (Fig. 3-11).
elasticity, thus reducing the potential for cracking
Although creep of concrete in compression
and delamination.
has been extensively investigated, information
on tensile creep behavior is limited. The lack
3.2.4 Creep of published data is attributed to the fact that
(Tensile and Compressive) concrete is rarely subjected to direct tension.
Creep is time-dependent deformation due to Also, there are significant experimental diffi­
sustained load (Fig. 3-10). Basic creep in concrete culties when a uniaxial load is required and

If (εcr ) new = 0 No stress occurs.

Creep (εcr)
If (εcr ) new > 0 Shear bond is stressed. Loads carried
by repair are reduced.
εcr

If the old material has already developed a stable

creep volume, stresses will develop according to
the amount of creep occuring in the new material.

Fig. 3.-10: Tensile creep

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 19
 Fig. 3-11: Tensile stress relief through tensile creep

strains have to be measured very accurately, Test Method: ASTM C1581, Test Method for
especially in a material which is drying under Determining Age at Cracking and Induced Tensile
load and where shrinkage is the predominant Stress Characteristics of Mortar and Concrete
deformation. Under Restrained Shrinkage.
Some noted concrete authorities have Commentary: ASTM C1581 was adopted in
concluded that there is little difference in the 2004. An interlaboratory testing program to
magnitude of tensile and compressive creep for determine the precision of this test method
young, conventional concrete under numer­­­­­ically has not yet been carried out. Some guidance
equal stresses and in the same environment. There regarding the interpretation of results is
is some question, however, whether the same is provided in the appendix and references of the
true for mortar and small aggregate materials test method. ASTM suggests reporting the
typically associated with repairs. Therefore, following information:
systematic uniaxial tension and compres­sion tests • Properties of the material being tested: mixture
are needed to compare the strength, elasticity, proportions, air content, slump and density of
and creep properties of typical repair materials concrete mixtures, and mixture proportions;
under both types of loads. flow; and density of mortar mixtures;
It should be noted that polymer mortars and • Type and duration of curing;
concrete exhibit widely differing creep behavior • Daily ambient temperature and relative
because the binders in polymer mortars are humidity data for the test environment;
fundamentally different from the cement binder • Plots of steel ring strain versus specimen age
in concrete. for each test specimen;
• Average age at cracking;
3.2.5 Restrained Shrinkage • Age when the test was terminated for specimens
The restraint of shrinkage which occurs when a that have not cracked during the test;
repair material is bonded to a substrate will • Average initial strain;
produce tensile stress in the repair material. • Average maximum strain;
Because concrete also creeps in response to • Plots of net strain versus square root of elapsed
sustained loads, a complex interaction between time for each specimen; and
strength gain, shrinkage, modulus, creep, and • Average stress rate at cracking or at the time
other factors governs the cracking potential of the test was terminated.
the material.

20 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 3.3 Durability Properties chloride penetration. Other methods include
Durability of portland cement concrete is defined the use of crack injection, sealants, surface
as its ability to resist weathering action, chemical sealers, coatings and membranes. The common
attack, abrasion, and any other conditions of practice of using rapid chloride data to specify
service. If a repair becomes necessary because of allow­a ble permeability is controversial.
deteri­o ration of the existing concrete, it is (Pfeifer, McDonald, and Krauss 1994). The
essential to establish the cause and extent of presence of some inorganic admixtures and
deterioration. Based on this information, a repair free ions such as chloride ions in the concrete
strategy can be selected which will provide a can result in the passage of electrical charge
durable repair. A durable repair will retain its (coulombs) indicating a higher apparent perme­
original form, quality, and serviceability when ability. Data generated by AASHTO T259 are
exposed to its environment. Material properties considered to be a more reliable indicator of
that can affect the durability of a repair are material permeability.
discussed in the following paragraphs. Rapid chloride data should not be used for
purposes of comparison unless the correlation for
3.3.1 Permeability the specific material type has been established
Permeability is defined as the property that using the long-term chloride ponding procedure
governs the rate of flow of a fluid (liquid or gas) described in AASHTO T259.
into a porous solid (Mehta and Monteiro 1993).
This property is a useful indicator of the 3.3.2 Water Vapor Transmission
corrosion protection which a material may Water vapor transmission rate is defined by
provide. Soluble chlorides which can lead to ASTM as the steady water vapor flow in a unit
chloride-induced corrosion are typically carried of time through a unit area of a body, normal to
in solution through the pore structure from the specific parallel surfaces, under specific conditions
surface to the steel reinforcing. Low permea­ of temperature and humidity at each surface.
bility will reduce the rate at which chlorides Test Method: ASTM E96, Water Vapor Trans­
penetrate the protective cover. mission of Materials (Fig. 3-12).
Similarly, low permeability will reduce the Commentary: If impermeable materials are
rate at which atmospheric or dissolved CO2 used for large repairs, water vapor transmitted
diffuses through the pore structure of the concrete through the concrete substrate can be trapped at
cover. This process, known as carbonation, lowers the interface between the repair and the
pH and may, depending on the availability of substrate. This entrapped water can be a partic­
moisture, lead to corrosion. ularly troublesome problem in relatively thin
Test Methods: repairs subject to cycles of freezing and thawing.
AASHTO T259, Resistance of Concrete to The hydraulic pressure caused by freezing of
Chloride Ion Penetration the entrapped moisture may result in debonding
AASHTO T277, Rapid Determination of the of the repair, or the substrate will become
Chloride Permeability of Concrete critically saturated and, if the concrete does not
contain properly entrained air, the substrate
ASTM C1202, Electrical Indication of Concrete’s will likely suffer freeze-thaw deterioration.
Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration. Shotcrete repairs to a navigation lock wall
The test data produced by AASHTO T277 and
ASTM C1202 are generally known as “rapid
chlorides.” The title of the ASTM C1202 method,
“Electrical Indication of Concrete’s Ability to
Resist Chloride Ion Penetration,” is a more
accurate statement of the property being assessed.
These tests do not directly measure permeability.
Commentary: There are many repair strategies
which can be employed to delay the damaging
effects of chloride. A common approach is to
select and install low permeability repair Fig. 3-12: Test method for water vapor
materials (including overlays) that will resist transmission

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 21
 illustrate this problem (HQUSACE 1995). The
3.3.3 Resistance to Freezing
generally good resistance of shotcrete to cycles and Thawing
of freezing and thawing (despite a lack of The causes of deterioration from freezing and
entrained air) is attributed in part to its low thawing are complex and are not exclusively
permeability, which minimizes the ingress of derived from the expansive pressure generated by
moisture, thus preventing the shotcrete from water in its frozen state. It is, however, sufficient
becoming critically saturated. When moisture to define freezing and thawing deterioration as
migrates through the substrate, however, the failure in the cement matrix or in porous aggregate
shotcrete is unable to efficiently transmit this particles which occurs when the material is frozen
moisture to the exposed surface, and the existing while critically saturated. A material that has
concrete becomes saturated. Subsequent cycles demonstrated resistance to freezing and thawing
of freezing and thawing will result in failure of in laboratory tests or previous field appli­cations
the repair (Fig. 3-13). Cores through the repair should be specified for repairs that will be
show the remaining shotcrete to be in generally subjected to this service condition.
good condition; however, the original concrete Test Method: ASTM C666, Resistance of Concrete
immediately behind the shotcrete exhibits signif­ to Rapid Freezing and Thawing
icant deterioration (Fig. 3-14). Cores of similar Procedure A: rapid freezing and thawing in
concrete from portions of the wall which did not water (most common method).
receive a shotcrete overlay were in gener­ally Procedure B: rapid freezing in air and thawing
good condition from the surface inward. in water.
Recommended Value: (see commentary)
The test is designed to run 300 cycles or until the
relative dynamic modulus reaches 60% of original
value. Data from a reduced number of cycles may
not be used for comparative purposes—unless
the procedure was terminated by dynamic
modulus limitations.
Commentary: The normal test for evaluating
freeze-thaw resistance, ASTM C666, exposes
specimens to freezing at an intermediate level
of maturity with no opportunity for drying prior
to testing and exposes them to a very rapid
freezing cycle. There are many examples of
repair materials, among them certain latex-
Fig. 3-13: Spalled shotcrete repair of a navigation modified formulations, that perform well in field
lock wall appli­cations but cannot yield a high durability
factor when tested in accordance with C666.
Although the test is excellent for assessing the
resistance to freezing and thawing of young
saturated specimens to severe exposure, the
resistance of mature specimens to more typical
exposures might be better assessed by altering
the age-at-test and specimen-conditioning
requirements of C666 to more accurately reflect
actual service conditions, or by replacing it with
a critical dilation test such as ASTM C671,
Critical Dilation of Concrete Specimens
Subjected to Freezing. (For further information,
see ACI 201.2R.)

3.3.4 Resistance to Scaling

Scaling is defined as the flaking or peeling away
Fig. 3-14: Core samples from same repair of the near-surface portion of hardened concrete

22 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 Magnitude Classification
< 0.01 lb/ft2 very good
0.01 - 0.10 lb/ft2 good
0.10 - 0.20 lb/ft2 fair
> 0.20 lb/ft2 poor/fail
Fig. 3-15: Scaling resistance classification

or mortar. This loss of cement mortar from the

finished surface is caused by hydraulic and
osmotic pressures caused by freezing. Scaling is
frequently initiated by the application of deicing
chemicals in below-freezing conditions. Moder­ate Fig. 3-16: Cracking is often the first sign of sulfate attack
to severe scaling deterioration will expose coarse
aggregate. Scaling resistance should be specified
Sulfate content
whenever the repair material will be subjected to
deicing chemicals. Level of attack soil water
Test Method: ASTM C672, Scaling Resistance
Negligible under 0.1% under 150 ppm (mg/liter)
of Concrete Surfaces Exposed to Deicing
Chemicals (Modified)
Moderate 0.1 to 0.2% 150 to 1500 ppm
Modification: collect and weigh scaled
material after every fifth cycle in lieu of the
Severe 0.2 to 2.0% 1500 to 10,000 ppm
visual rating system.
Recommended Values: <0.10 lb/ft2 (0.5 kg/m2) Very severe over 2.0% over 10,000 ppm
loss at 50 cycles (Fig. 3-15).
Commentary: ASTM C672 is widely accepted Fig. 3-17: Sulfate attack classification
as a good indication of resistance to scaling from
deicing chemicals. The modification noted above Recommended Value: The ASTM subcom­mittee
provides for a more objective rating of individual which developed C1012 recommended adoption
materials. A repair material with a scaling of the following performance criteria:
resistance classified as good or very good should
Moderate Sulfate Resistance: 0.10% maximum
be specified for applications exposed to freezing
expansion at 6 months
and thawing cycles.
High Sulfate Resistance: 0.05% maximum
3.3.5 Sulfate Resistance expansion at 6 months
Sulfate attack causes the chemical decompo­sition Commentary: This test is considered to be a
of certain binder compounds in hydrated cement reliable indicator of the resistance of cement-
paste (Fig. 3-16). Decay of organic matter in based materials to sulfate attack (Figure 3.17).
marshes and shallow lakes is a primary source of It is suitable for use on portland-cement mortars,
naturally occurring sulfates. Soils in regions long mortar blends containing pozzolans or slags, and
ago covered by inland seas frequently contain polymer-modified mortars.
enough water-soluble sulfates to precipitate
sulfate attack. Other sources of sulfate include 3.3.6 Alkali-Aggregate Reaction
chemical process effluent, agricul­tural runoff, and Alkali-aggregate reaction is a chemical reaction
wastewater treatment. Sulfate resistance should in either mortar or concrete between alkalies
be specified for the repair of structures exposed (sodium or potassium) from portland cement
to these environments, such as piers, dams, bridge or other sources, and certain constituents of
columns, buried concrete pipe, wastewater some aggregates. There are two general types of
treatment facilities, transmission tower footings, alkali-aggregate reaction: alkali-silica reaction
and highway pavements. and alkali-carbonate reaction. Products of either
Test Method: ASTM C1012, Length Change of reaction may cause abnormal expansion and
Hydraulic-Cement Mortars Exposed to Sulfate cracking of mortar or concrete in service
Solutions. (Fig. 3-18, following page). Expansion and

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 23
 3.3.7 Abrasion Resistance
Abrasion resistance is defined as the ability of a
surface to resist being worn away by rubbing and
friction. Factors that influence the abrasion
resistance of a repair material include amount
and quality of aggregate, compressive strength,
mixture proportions, type of material, finishing
procedures, curing, and surface treatment.
Test Methods: The following test methods
provide a variety of procedures for determining
the relative resistance of repair materials to abrasion.
The test methods are not intended to provide a
quantitative measurement of the length of service
that may be expected from a specific material.
Fig. 3-18: Alkali silica reaction—cracks develop in ASTM C418, Abrasion Resistance of Concrete
cement paste surrounding reactive aggregate by Sandblasting, covers the laboratory evaluation
of the relative resistance of concrete surfaces to
cracking may develop within a few weeks or may abrasion by sandblasting. The procedure produces
not appear for a number of years after the mortar a cutting action which tends to more severely
or concrete is placed. abrade the less resistant components of the concrete
(repair material).
Test Methods:
ASTM C227, Potential Alkali Reactivity of Cement- ASTM C779, Abrasion Resistance of Horizontal
Aggregate Combinations (Mortar-Bar Method) Concrete Surfaces, provides three procedures
(revolving disks, dressing wheels, and ball bearings)
ASTM C289, Potential Reactivity of Aggregates for determining the relative abrasion resistance
(Chemical Method) of horizontal concrete surfaces. The procedures
ASTM C295, Petrographic Examination of differ in the type and degree of abrasive force
Aggregates for Concrete they impart and are intended for use in determining
Recommended Values: Criteria for evaluating variations in surface properties of cement-based
the potential alkali reactivity of aggregates is materials.
discussed in ACI 201.2R and Appendices D and ASTM C944, Abrasion Resistance of Concrete
E of EM 1110-2-2000 (HQUSACE 1994). or Mortar Surfaces by the Rotating Cutter
Commentary: When the section thickness of Method. The primary application of this method
repairs exceeds 1 to 2 in. (25 to 50 mm), manu­ is to evaluate the abrasion resistance of 6-in.
facturers typically recommend the addition of (150-mm) core samples which do not have
coarse aggregate to repair mortars. The addition of sufficient surface area to permit testing in
aggregate improves dimensional stability, reduces accordance with ASTM C418 or C779.
exothermic heat, and generally results in a more ASTM C1138, Abrasion Resistance of Concrete
economical repair. Although aggregate selection (Underwater Method), covers a procedure for
is systematically considered in original concrete determining the relative resistance of concrete
construction, it is routinely overlooked for repair (including concrete overlays and impregnated
materials. This oversight can be costly because concrete) to abrasion underwater. This procedure
repair materials are likely to contain not only simulates the abrasive action of water-borne
relatively higher levels of high-alkalinity cement, particles (silt, sand, gravel, and other solids).
but a complex mixture of chemical and mineral Commentary: For material performance compar­
admixtures as well. isons, the test data being evaluated must be
When available, the field performance record generated by the same method. It is worth noting
of a particular aggregate, if it has been used with that the replication of these tests is relatively poor.
cement of high-alkali content, can be used to With coefficients of variation ranging from 6 to
judge its reactivity. Laboratory tests should be 21% for single operator/same machine results,
made on aggregates from new sources, and moderate differences in performance may not be
when service records indicate that reactivity may reliably detected. Of the four methods, C779-A
be possible. (revolving disks) has the highest precision.

24 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 3.4 Mechanical Properties used for lack of an alternate direct tensile test.
Repair materials require mechanical properties The splitting tensile strength is a compressive
to carry and transfer loads similar to the concrete test of a horizontal cylinder across its diameter.
which is being repaired. In addition to externally While not a direct tensile test, it is simpler to run
applied loads, repair materials must also absorb and can be used to test materials containing
and resist stress caused by restrained volume aggregate or cores taken from the field. Either
changes, including drying shrinkage and thermal procedure can provide an indi­cation of the tensile
expansion or contraction. strength of a material. However, the results of the
two tests are different. The splitting tensile
3.4.1 Tensile Strength strength (C496) produces a larger number than
Tensile strength is an indication of a material’s the direct tensile strength (C190), and at this time,
ability to withstand tensile stress. In areas where no correlation of the two tests is known.
repairs are likely to be subjected to tensile loads, The rate of tensile strength gain is also
the top side of a cantilevered balcony for example, important and can be assessed by examining the
tensile strength should be specified. While there tensile strength of a material at various ages,
are a number of ways to measure tensile strength, including some early age results (that is, 3 or 7
two of the more common methods follow. days). In general, the rate at which a material
develops tensile strength must be rapid enough
Test Methods: (Fig. 3-19) to exceed the induced stress.
ASTM C190, Tensile Strength of Hydraulic
Cement Mortars (discontinued) 3.4.2 Flexural Strength
ASTM C496, Splitting Tensile Strength of Flexural strength is a measure of a repair
Cylindrical Concrete Specimens material’s resistance to bending. When repairs
Commentary: In many situations, repair are likely to be subjected to bending, specifying
mater­ials are required to carry and transfer tensile flexural strength should be considered. While
loads. The tensile strength of a cement-based there are a number of test procedures for
material is often estimated to be approximately measuring flexural strength, two of the more
10% of its compressive strength. However, the common methods are listed below.
tensile strengths of repair materials can vary Test Methods: (Fig. 3-20)
significantly and are not necessarily predictable ASTM C78, Flexural Strength of Concrete Using
from compressive strengths. Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading
Tensile strength measured using the C190
ASTM C348, Flexural Strength of Hydraulic
method is determined by a direct tensile loading
Cement Mortars
of a briquette specimen. The small size of the
briquettes—cross section of 1 square inch ASTM C42, Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores
(650 mm2)—make it difficult to use with materials and Sawed Beams of Concrete
containing aggregate. Even though ASTM dis­ Commentary: Both tests apply a load to the
continued C190 in 1991, the procedure is still center of a stationary beam in order to determine

ASTM C496 ASTM C190 ASTM C78 ASTM C348

Splitting tensile Tensile strength

Fig. 3-19: Tensile strength test methods Fig. 3-20: Flexural strength test methods

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 25
 the flexural strength. The differences are in the 3.5 Constructibility
loading points and the size of the beam. C78 uses
a third point loading (four contact points), and Properties
the reported result is a modulus of rupture in psi. Constructibility properties are properties of
C348 uses a 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 6½ in. (40 x 40 x materials during early age and include plastic
160 mm) beam while C78 uses a larger beam properties, initial set, and curing requirements.
where the cross section is square and the length Some properties are designed to facilitate
is three times the width of the beam—typical placement, but may adversely affect other
6 to 8 in. (150 to 200 mm) in width and 18 to material properties.
24 in. (450 to 600 mm) in length. Test results Surface repair material selection should be
using the three point loading in C78 to determine based on specific criteria for the physical properties
modulus of rupture are usually higher than the (e.g. shrinkage, bond strength, modulus of elas­ticity)
flexural strengths determined using C348. For needed to produce a repair composite capable of
purposes of comparison, the results from these fulfilling its intended function. However, obtaining
methods cannot be used inter­­changeably. The the desired results from the installed product can
exclusive use of C348 for mortar specimens and be difficult if construct­ibility issues are not
C78 for concrete specimens is recommended. identified or properly communicated.
For example, field conditions such as a combi­
3.4.3 Compressive Strength n­­ation of high wind and low humidity can
The compressive strength of a repair material adversely affect a material’s shrinkage. Ambient,
substrate surface, and material temperatures can
is a basic measure of its ability to carry compres­
influence setting characteristics and strength gain
sive loads.
relationships. Field changes in the water-to-cement
Test Methods: or polymer-to-cement ratios can affect many of
ASTM C109, Compressive Strength of Hydraulic the critical properties of the material. Incorrect
Cement Mortars mixing, placement, finishing, and curing can also
ASTM C39, Compressive Strength of Cylindrical alter the installed material’s properties. Knowing
Concrete Specimens how field conditions may affect the material is an
important step in the selection process.
(The two test methods above do not directly corre­
An understanding of the physical and
­­­­late, but can be compared using the equation:
chemical properties of a material in its plastic
C109 result x 0.85 = C39 result.)
state should influence the selection of the method
ASTM C42, Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores of placement. Trowelable products, for example,
and Sawed Beams of Concrete have significantly different consis­tencies than
Commentary: For many applications, compres­ those repair materials which are to be pumped.
sive strengths of repair materials should approx­ In turn, the selection process for a repair material
imate the substrate strength. Differences in to be placed in a small void at a twelfth floor
compres­sive strengths usually indicate differences ribbon beam will differ greatly from that which
in modulus of elasticity as well. (See commentary will be needed for a balcony slab replacement
under modulus of elasticity.) Any substantial at the first floor level. Constructibility is also
difference between repair material and substrate influenced by the owner’s operating requirements.
in these properties may cause incompatible These require­ments may include limited work
strains and excessive load transfer to the higher space, no tenant interference, night work only,
strength material. High compressive strengths are short duration, no noise, no odors, no dust, etc.
frequently achieved by increasing the cement In addition to selecting a surface repair
content in the mixture design. Possible negative material based on physical performance criteria,
effects of higher cement content include increased the constraints of the field conditions should
drying shrinkage and excessive temperature rise. be evaluated. Detailed application instructions
In the specification process, the relative importance will minimize the risk of altering the physical
of this property needs to be carefully weighed properties of the installed material.
against other desirable durability properties. High
compressive strengths may, in some instances, 3.5.1 Flow Characteristics
adversely affect other properties needed to achieve Commentary: Repair material flow character­
a durable repair. istics provide important properties which allow

26 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 repair materials to penetrate and consolidate into tensile stress created by the restraint of volume
repair cavities. With certain placement techniques, changes which occur as the material cools.
including form and pump, form and cast-in-place, While several design and construction practices
or grouted pre-placed aggregate, flow character­ are available to minimize thermal stresses,
istics are critical aspects for successful repair. For restricting the amount of heat generated is a
most of these applications, slump requirements fundamentally sound approach for mitigating
are satisfactory for specifying flowability. In thermal cracking. When positive control over
grouted preplaced aggregate applications, temperature rise is desired, upper limits on the
specifications require flowability to be measured heat of hydration of the cement may be imposed
with a flow cone (ASTM C939, Flow of Grout through ASTM C150, Specification for Portland
for Preplaced-Aggregate Concrete). High slump Cement, and ASTM C595, Specification for
does not guarantee that the material will pump Blended Hydraulic Cements.
through a pump line and into a confined cavity.
Pumpability is influenced by aggregate shape, 3.5.4 Hot and Cold
gradation, and content of fines; size of pump line; Weather Applications
pump line length; and type of pump. Enhancing
Hot weather is defined as any combination of high
flow characteristics may adversely affect other
temperature, low relative humidity, and wind
critical properties, including shrinkage, strength
velocity that impairs the quality of fresh or
and permeability.
hardened repair material or otherwise results in
abnormal properties. The effects of hot weather
3.5.2 Rate of Strength Gain are most critical during periods of rising
Commentary: Rapid strength gain, as measured temperature, falling relative humidity or both.
by compressive strength, is important to minimize Precautionary measures required on a calm day
shutdown time in many repair environments will be less strict than those required on a dry,
such as traffic areas. Insufficient strength gain windy day, even if the air temperature is identical.
prior to use may result in damage to the repair Hot weather’s adverse effects include plastic
material or bond line. The desired strength and shrinkage cracking, drying shrinkage cracking
time duration should be specified where required. (from high water demand), poor or no bond,
The rate of strength gain is highly dependent upon and poor surface finishes due to rapid setting
the temperature of cure. Higher temper­atures (Fig. 3-21).
will result in faster strength gain; lower temp­ Cold weather is defined as a period when, for
eratures will result in slower strength gain. more than three consecutive days, the average
Accurate measurement of in situ strength is best daily temperature is less than 50°F and the air
accomplished by match-curing specimens at temperature never rises above 55°F for more than
temperatures similar to those which exist in the 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Cold weather’s
in situ repair material. adverse effects include freezing of repair material
and subsequent deterioration and poor bond
3.5.3 Exothermic between the substrate and the repair material.
Temperature Changes The specifier must ensure that the materials
Commentary: When water is added to cement, selected are appropriate for the conditions of
the reaction is exothermic, and a considerable
amount of heat can be generated over an
extended period of time. The heat liberated up
to a specific time or age is measured in calories
per unit weight of cement (cal/g). High-early
strength cements are finer than other types of
cement and, when combined with their more
active chemical compounds, produce earlier
strengths and a more rapid release of heat. In
thick section repair applications, failure to
recognize the heat factor and to provide for its
dissipation will often result in thermal cracking. Fig. 3-21: Pattern cracking develops in
Thermal cracks are caused principally by the surfaces allowed to dry out

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 27
 application. ACI 305, Hot Weather and 306, Cold repair materials are used in conjunction with
Weather concrete specifications provide excellent surface-applied coatings, linings, membranes,
information, and can aid in making repairs with or sealers. Many delamination failures of
materials not specifically manufactured for use surface-applied treatments have occurred in
in climatic extremes. which the separation from the repair material
was caused by some type of material or appli­
3.5.5 Working Time cation incompatibility.
Commentary: Working time is the amount of The specifier should identify those materials
which pose a compatibility risk and determine
time available after a material is mixed until the
whether these materials can be used together. This
material begins to set. Working time is affected by
may be done by pilot testing, by previous
temperature. In general, the higher the temperature
experience, or by consulting the appropriate
the shorter the working time. For rapid setting
material manufacturers.
materials, working time may become critically
shortened and interfere with proper placement
techniques. Working time should be specified as
3.5.7 Compatibility with Substrate
number of minutes at a given temperature. Commentary: Some repair materials may generate
adverse chemical reactions when exposed to
certain substrate conditions. The specifier should
3.5.6 Compatibility question the product manufacturer to deter­mine
with Surface Treatments if the material being evaluated has the potential
Commentary: In many repair situations, surface to react with the substrate being repaired.

28 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 4.0 Selecting
Repair Materials
Most repair projects will have unique conditions
and special requirements that must be thoroughly
examined before the final repair material criteria
can be determined. Once the criteria for a
compatible repair have been established, materials
with the properties necessary to meet these
criteria should be identified. A variety of repair
materials have been formulated to provide a wide
range of properties. Since these prop­erties will
affect the performance of a repair, selecting the
correct material for a specific application requires
careful study.

Material Properties
Properties of the materials under consideration
for a given repair may be obtained from the
following:
• Manufacturer’s data sheets
• Evaluation reports
• Contact with suppliers
• Tests results
Manufacturer’s data for compressive strength,
flexural strength, tensile strength, and slant-shear
bond are frequently reported in material data
sheets provided by suppliers. However, other
material properties of equal or greater importance,
such as drying shrinkage, modulus of elasticity,
tensile bond strength, creep, permeability, and
water vapor transmission, may not be reported.
Experience indicates that the material properties
reported in manufacturers data sheets are Results of tests on a variety of repair materials
generally accurate for the conditions under which are available from several government agencies
they were determined. However, the designer and independent testing laboratories. For
should beware of those situations in which data example, the REMR Notebook (USAEWES
on pertinent material properties are not reported; 1985) currently contains 133 Material Data Sheets
unfavorable material character­istics are seldom that include material descriptions, uses and limit­
reported. Material properties pertinent to a given ations, available specifications, manufacturer’s
repair should be requested from manufacturers test results, and Corps test results.
if they are not included in the data sheets Reputable material suppliers can assist in
provided. General descriptions of materials, such identifying those materials and associated
as “compatible,” “non-shrink,” etc. should be properties that have proven successful in previous
disregarded unless the claims are supported by repairs, provided they are made aware of the
data determined in accordance with standardized conditions under which the materials will be
test methods. Material properties determined in applied and the anticipated service conditions.
accordance with “modified” standard tests should The formulations for commercially available
be viewed with caution, particularly if the materials are subject to frequent modifications
modifications are not described. for a number of reasons, including changes in

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 29
 ownership, changes in raw materials, environ­ the design criteria for durable repair of a specific
mental regulations, and new technology. Some­ structure. When this is the case, other factors such
times these modifications result in changes in as ease of application, cost, and available labor
material properties without corresponding skills and equipment should be considered in
changes to the manufacturer’s data sheets or selection of the repair material. To match the
notification by the material supplier. Consequently, properties of the concrete substrate as closely as
testing of the repair material is recommended to possible, portland-cement concrete or similar
ensure compliance with design criteria if cementitous materials are frequently the best
durability of the repair is of major importance, or choices for repair. There are some obvious
the volume of repair is large. exceptions, such as repairs that must be resistant
to chemical attack. However, an arbitrary decision
to repair “like with like” will not necessarily
Selection Considerations ensure a durable repair. The new repair material
Concrete repair materials have been formulated must also be dimensionally compatible with the
to provide a wide range of properties. It is likely existing substrate, which has often been in place
that more than one type of material will satisfy for many years.

30 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
 (this page intentionally left blank)

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 31
Typical Characteristics of Selected Repair Materials
Ingredients Application requirements

Typical
Thickness Installation
Material Binder additives/ Curing
limitations temperature
admixtures1

portland cement portland water reducing 0.5 to 2.0 in.3 40 to 90°F wet
mortar cement air-entraining (13 to 50 mm) (5 to 32°C) 7 days

portland cement portland water reducing >1.75 in. 40 to 90°F wet

concrete cement air-entraining (>44 mm) (5 to 32°C) 7 days

microsilica-modified silica fume,

portland 2 >1.25 in. 40 to 90°F wet
portland cement HRWR ,
cement (>30 mm) (5 to 32°C) 7 days
concrete air-entraining

polymer-modified
portland >1.25 in. 45 to 95°F wet
portland cement polymer latex
cement (>30 mm) (7 to 35°C) 2 days
concrete

polymer-modified non-sag fillers,

portland 0.25 to 2.0 in. 45 to 95 °F moist

portland cement mortar cement polymer latex (6 to 50 mm) (7 to 35 °C) 3 days
or powder

magnesium magnesium
>0.50 in. 0 to 100°F
phosphate cement phosphate air
— (>19 mm) (-18 to 40°C)
concrete cement

preplaced aggregate portland pozzolans, >3.0 in. 40 to 90°F wet

concrete cement fluidifier (>76 mm) (5 to 32°C) 7 days

0.13 to 3.8 in. 50 to 90 °F
epoxy mortar epoxy resin sand air
(4 to 12 mm) (10 to 32 °C)

methyl methacrylate — 0.25 to 0.5 in. 20 to 120°F
acrylic resin air
(MMA) concrete (6 to 13 mm) ([-6] to 50°C)

silica fume, pozzolans,

shotcrete portland water reducing >.5 in. 40 to 90°F wet

cement accelerator latex (>13 mm) (5 to 32°C) 7 days

1
The materials shown in this column are examples of 3
Portland cement mortars that are durable in application
additives/admixtures which may be used to adjust thicknesses of less than 1.5 in. (38 mm) are generally
properties in cement-based materials. prepackaged, proprietary formulations.
2
High range water reducer

32 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
Note: the material properties shown in this table vary between products and
from manufacturer to manufacturer and are shown for comparison purposes only.

Material properties

Compressive strength Perme-

Coefficient Freeze-
Drying Elastic ability Non-sag Exo-
of thermal thaw Comments
shrinkage4 modulus (% of quality therm
expansion 1 hr. 24 hrs. 3 days 28 days resistance
concrete)

similar to 650 psi 2500 psi 5000 psi 3.4 x 106 psi
moderate 0 90 good moderate moderate —
substrate (5 MPa) (20 MPa) (35 MPa) (2.3 x 104 MPa)

similar to 650 psi 2500 psi 5000 psi 3.8 x 106 psi
low 0 90 good N/A low —
substrate (5 MPa) (20 MPa) (35 MPa) (2.6 x 104 MPa)

similar to 3000 psi 4000 psi 7500 psi 4 x 106 psi

low 0 60 good good low —
substrate (25 MPa) (30 MPa) (50 MPa) (2.8 x 104 MPa)

similar to 2000 psi 4000 psi 6000 psi 2.5 x 106 psi
low 0 50 excellent N/A low —
substrate (15 MPa) (30 MPa) (40 MPa) (1.7 x 104 MPa)

similar to 1500 psi 3000 psi 5000 psi 2.5 x 106 psi low to
moderate 0 50 excellent moderate —
substrate (10 MPa) (25 MPa) (35 MPa) (1.7 x 104 MPa) excellent

similar to 2000 psi 6400 psi 7000 psi 8400 psi 4.7 x 106 psi
low 90 good low high —
substrate (14 MPa) (44 MPa) (50 MPa) (60 MPa) (2.2 x 104 MPa)

similar to 500 psi 2250 psi 4500 psi 3.8 x 106 psi
very low 0 100 good N/A low ACI 304R-23
substrate (4 MPa) (15 MPa) (35 MPa) (2.6 x 104 MPa)

1.5 to 5 x 9000 psi 11000 psi 12000 psi 1.6 x 106 psi
low 0 10 excellent moderate high ACI 503.4
concrete (70 MPa) (80 MPa) (85 MPa) (1.1 x 104 MPa)

vapor may
1.5 to 5 x 4000 psi 12000 psi 12000 psi 12000 psi 2.0 x 106 psi
moderate 10 excellent N/A high cause
concrete (30 MPa) (85 MPa) (85 MPa) (85 MPa) (1.4 x 104 MPa)
problems5

similar to 800 psi 3500 psi 5000 psi 3.8 x 106 psi
moderate 0 60 good N/A low ACI 506R
substrate (5 MPa) (25 MPa) (35 MPa) (2.6 x 104 MPa)

4
Drying shrinkage: Very low <0.025% 5
Vapor is highly flammable, pungent odor—may cause
Low 0.025% to 0.05% problems in confined or poorly ventilated spaces.
Moderate 0.05% to 0.1%
High >0.1%

GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES 320.2R–2009 - 33
 5.0 References Emmons and Vaysburd 1995
Emmons, Peter H., and Vaysburd, Alexander M.
5.1 Referenced Standards 1995 (Apr). “Performance Criteria for Concrete
Repair Materials, Phase I,” Technical Report
and Reports REMR-CS-47, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways
The standards and reports referenced were the Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
latest editions at the time this document was Emmons, Vaysburd, and McDonald 1993
prepared. Because these documents are revised Emmons, Peter H., Vaysburd, Alexander M.,
frequently, the reader is advised to contact the and McDonald, James E. 1993 (Sep). “A Rational
proper sponsoring group if it is desired to refer Approach to Durable Concrete Repairs,” Concrete
to the latest version. International, V. 15, No. 9, pp 40-45.
Emmons, Vaysburd, and McDonald 1994
American Association of State Highway and Emmons, Peter H., and Vaysburd, Alexander M.,
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and McDonald, James E. 1994 (Mar). “Concrete
www.transportation.org Repair in the Future Turn of the Century—Any
Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials Problems?” Concrete International, V. 16, No. 3,
and Methods of Sampling and Testing, Two Parts, pp. 42-49.
Washington, DC
Gurjar and Carter 1987
American Concrete Institute (ACI) Gurjar, Suresh, and Carter, Paul. 1987 (Mar).
www.concrete.org “Alberta Concrete Patch Evaluation Program,”
Manual of Concrete Practice, Six Parts, Farmington Report No. ABTR/RD/RR-87/05, Alberta Trans­
Hills, MI portation & Utilities, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
HQUSACE 1994
American Society for Testing and Materials Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1994
International (ASTM) www.astm.org (Feb). Standard Practice for Concrete for Civil
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, West Works Structures, Engineer Manual 1110-2-2000,
Conshohocken, PA Washington, DC, 121 pp.

International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) HQUSACE 1995

www.icri.org Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1995
ICRI Publications Catalog, Des Plaines, IL (Jun). Evaluation and Repair of Concrete Structures,
Engineer Manual 1110-2-2002, Washington, DC,
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 184 pp.
www.wes.army.mil/SL/MTC/handbook/ Mehta and Monteiro 1993
handbook.htm Mehta, P. Kumar, and Monteiro, P.J., 1993, Concrete
Handbook for Concrete and Cement, Vicksburg, MS Structures, Properties, and Materials, Prentice-Hall,
Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 548 pp.
5.2 Cited References Pfeifer, McDonald, and Krauss 1994
Best and McDonald 1990 Pfeifer, Donald W., McDonald, David B., and
Best, J. Floyd, and McDonald, James E. 1990 (Jan). Krauss, Paul D. 1994 (Jan-Feb). “The Rapid
“Spall Repair of Wet Concrete Surfaces,” Technical Chloride Permeability Test and Its Correlation to
Report REMR-CS-25, U.S. Army Engineer Water­ the 90-Day Chloride Ponding Test,” PCI Journal,
ways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS, 37 pp. pp. 38-47.
Emmons 1993 USAEWES 1985
Emmons, Peter H. 1993. Concrete Repair and U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station,
Maintenance Illustrated, R.S. Means Co., Inc., 1985, The REMR Notebook, with periodic
Kingston, MA, 295 pp. supplements, Vicksburg, MS.

34 - 320.2R–2009 GUIDE FOR SELECTING AND SPECIFYING MATERIALS FOR REPAIR OF CONCRETE SURFACES
3166 S. River Road, Suite 132
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 847-827-0830
Fax: 847-827-0832
Web site: www.icri.org
E-mail: [email protected]