Evaluation of cold-weather concrete patching materials

Paper presents results of an investigation of patching materials suitable for winter maintenance operations of bridges and pavements at subfreezing temperatures. Four materials, identified by a preliminary screening investigation as potentially suitable, were tested extensively for strength and durability. The four materials are methyl methacrylate-based polymer concrete, two types of magnesium phosphate-based concretes, and polyurethane-based concrete. Methyl methacrylate emerges as superior to the other materials in terms of performance, but environmental considerations mitigate in favor of the magnesium phosphates. The water-based magnesium phosphate has relatively poor freeze-thaw durability when cast at subfreezing temperatures, but the liquid-activated variety offers a reasonable compromise between performance of environmental factors.