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Lab Test Summaries
Tests on DensiCrete
The following tests have been performed on DensiCrete prior to
it being deemed acceptable by the Department of Transportation
of Pennsylvania (PENNDOT). Professional Service Industries, Inc.
at their Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory Division (PTL) performed
numerous tests to determine how DensiCrete increases concrete
density, flexural strength and compression strength. Following
are the tests completed: Compression and Flexure Tests;
Freeze/Thaw Tests; Carbonation Testing and tests for penetration
into concrete.
ALL TESTS WERE COMPLETED WITH SUCCESSFUL RESULTS.
ASTM-C42 COMPRESSIVE AND FLEXURE TEST
Low Strength Cubes
Compressive testing was performed on cores taken from St. Paul's
Church in Key West, Florida. The untreated cube broke at 650 PSI.
The DensiCrete treated cube broke at 1440 PSI, an
increase in compressive strength of 215%.
Normal Strength Cubes
In compressive strength testing, the untreated cube broke at
3680 PSI, whereas, the DensiCrete treated cube broke at
4740 PSI, a 29% increase in compressive strength.
In flexure strength testing, the untreated cube broke at 423 PSI
while the DensiCrete treated cube broke at 543 PSI, an increase
of 28% in flexure strength.
High Strength Cubes
In compressive strength testing, the untreated cubes broke at
6120 PSI, whereas, the DensiCrete treated cube broke at
8060 PSI, a 32% increase in compressive strength.
ASTM-C666 FREEZE / THAW TEST
PTL Freeze / Thaw Test for DensiCrete Treated Concrete:
Three untreated and three DensiCrete treated rectangles
were subjected to 300 Freeze / Thaw cycles as required by the
ASTM-C666 test with the following results: The untreated
concrete had completely deteriorated into sand-like particles
with raw aggregate separated from their original concrete
castings (they were no longer recognizable as rectangles). The
DensiCrete treated specimens showed no visible cracking,
powdering, hairline cracking or spalling. In fact, the treated
rectangles appeared to be in their original pristine condition,
the freeze / thaw cycles having no effect whatsoever on the
integrity of the concrete matrix.
CARBONATION TEST
PTL Carbonation Test for DensiCrete Treated Concrete: PTL
designed a test to approximate a 10 year carbonation exposure
rate that would be found in major metropolitan urban areas
within the United States. All samplings were subjected to Carbon
Monoxide exposure with the following results: The untreated
concrete had carbonation penetration of .57 and .63 inches,
respectfully. The DensiCrete treated samples had zero (0)
carbonation penetration. All samples were subject to microscopic
examination in accordance with ASTM-C856.
PENETRATION TEST
Pittsburgh Testing Laboratories performed two penetration tests.
In one test, DensiCrete penetrated completely through to the
bottom of a 6-inch concrete cylinder. In a second test,
DensiCrete penetrated 8.5 inches into a 12-inch concrete
rectangle.
APPROVAL
On April 28, 1995, a sample of DensiCrete was supplied to the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) for testing
to confirm the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory results. PENNDOT
evaluated DensiCrete in their laboratories located in
Harrisburg, PA.
Subsequently, on April 23, 1996, The Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation (PENNDOT) approved DensiCrete in Bulletin No. 15
as an Approved Construction Material, under "Penetrating
Sealers".
CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION TEST
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission engaged Solar Testing
Laboratories to perform the AASHTO T-259 test on DensiCrete
treated concrete cylinders. Test parameters and results are
summarized below.
Test Parameters
Because application procedures were not forwarded to the test
lab, all concrete samples received five skim coats of DensiCrete
at a spread rate of approximately 500-sq. ft. per gallon. Such
application represents approximately 75% of the manufacturer’s
suggested saturation coat for 4000-PSI air entrained concrete.
Concrete samples were divided into two categories: those
representing normal concrete surfaces (A and B) and those
representing spalled concrete surfaces (C and D). Normal
surfaces would reflect those road and bridge surfaces most
likely encountered in the field. To simulate spalled surfaces,
samples C and D were cut longitudinally, thereby exposing the
aggregate, a condition unlikely to be encountered in the field.
Normal Concrete Surface Results
Uncut concrete samples A and B were treated with DensiCrete and
subjected to the chloride ion solution for a period of 90 days.
Absorbed chloride ion percentages were 62/1000% and 34/1000% for
samples A and B respectively. The average for samples A and B
combined would be 48/1000% absorbed chloride ion, which equals
1.85 lbs. of chlorides per cubic yard of concrete.
A measurement of 52/1000% absorbed chloride ion equates to
approximately 2 lbs. of chlorides per cubic yard of concrete.
This 52/1000% level or lower represents the point at which the
chlorides would be non-reactive within the concrete matrix.
Because the average absorbed chloride ion percentage in
DensiCrete treated samples A and B was less than 52/1000%,
DensiCrete protected these concrete samples from chloride ion
reactivity.
The control group measured 28.85 lbs. of chlorides per cubic
yard. Therefore, the DensiCrete treatment achieved a 94%
reduction in chloride ion penetration.
Spalled Concrete Surface Results
Samples C and D were cut longitudinally exposing the aggregate
and were subjected to the chloride ion solution for a period of
90 days. Absorbed chloride ion percentages were 152/1000% and
136/1000% for samples C and D, respectively. Absorbed chloride
ion in the average of samples C and D was 144/1000%, which would
translate into approximately 5.5 lbs. of chlorides per cubic
yard of concrete. DensiCrete afforded the spalled concrete an
81% reduction in chlorides compared to the control group despite
the presence of exposed aggregate and associated cracks.
As a result of this test, completed on October 17, 1997,
DensiCrete has been approved for use on the Pennsylvania
Turnpike.
SKID RESISTANCE TEST
On October 10, 1997, the Ohio Department of Transportation
performed a skid resistance test (SHE-75-14.97) on an untreated
portion of concrete surface on a bridge designated SR 119 Exit
99 over 1-75. On October 31, 1997, the Ohio Department of
Transportation performed the same test on a DensiCrete treated
portion of concrete surface of the same bridge.
On November 3, 1997, the Ohio Department of Transportation
reported that the DensiCrete treated concrete bridge surface had
passed the skid resistance test.
CHLORIDE ION EVACUATION TEST
Solar Testing Laboratories, Inc., performed the Chloride Ion
Evacuation test in conformity with AASHTO T-260 standards. The
test results showed that DensiCrete removed over 50% of the
imbedded chlorides from the concrete matrix.
The treatment was simple, in which a concrete slab was treated
with the single treatment consisting of 1.5 applications of
DensiCrete. Over the next few weeks, the slab was brushed and
rinsed to remove the chlorides that were expelled from it.
During this period, five samples were taken and analyzed to
determine the level of chloride removal.
The first key point is that the application of DensiCrete
achieved a greater removal of chlorides from the concrete than
that which can be achieved using the much more expensive and
time consuming cathodic ponding technique. As a matter of fact,
DensiCrete allows use of the concrete roads or concrete
structures within an hour of treatment.
The second key point is that the treatment of the concrete
matrix with DensiCrete will not only remove existing chlorides
from the matrix, but will also prevent future penetration of
additional chlorides. See the AASHTO T-259 RESULTS FOR DETAILS
ON PREVENTION OF CHLORIDE INTRUSION.
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