An Experimental Study on Behavior of Polymer Cement Concrete

Polymer as admixture can improve the properties like higher strength and lower water permeability than the conventional concrete. Rheomix 141 is styrene-butadiene co–polymer latex, specifically designed for use with cement composites. It is used in mortar and concrete as an admixture to increase resistance to water penetration, improve abrasion resistance and durability. The objective of the present investigation is to study the behavior of polymer cement concrete in the hardened state. The variables studied include the grade of concrete and dosage of polymer. Five different grades of concrete M20 to M60 with polymer quantities starting from 5% to 10% were used in the present work. The various mechanical properties like compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, stress–strain characteristics, and modulus of elasticity and permeability characteristics of concrete have been studied. The results obtained thus are encouraging for partial addition of polymer with cement up to 10%.