Application of polymer admixtures to modify concrete properties: Effects of polymer type and content

The present work described the influence of polymer admixture (i.e. polymer latexes) contents on the physical/mechanical properties of latex modified concretes (LMCs). At the first step, the optimum water to cement ratio was determined for a LMC concrete according to the results of compressive strength. Afterwards, six latexes were investigated as admixture for LMCs at 10% of latex content. Their physical and mechanical properties including compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength and capillary water absorption was evaluated. Finally, two latexes which were better in LMCs general properties (i.e. Acrylic and Co-polymer Acrylic) were incorporated at 5 and 15% of latex contents to concrete. The result have shown that the increase in the amount of latex content decreased the compressive strength, but the other properties including flexural strength and split tensile strength were improved. Also, an improvement in barrier efficiency for water absorption of LMC concrete with increment of latex content was observed.