Strength development characteristics of UP-MMA based polymer concrete with different curing temperature

In this study, the effects of curing temperature, age, and unsaturated polyester (UP)-methyl methacrylate (MMA) ratio on the strength development characteristics of UP-MMA based polymer concrete are investigated. This study distinguishes itself from previous research in that MMA monomer was used to adjust the viscosity of UP resin, instead of styrene monomer. The result showed that as the curing temperature decreased from 20 to −20 °C, the strengths were reduced by 32.8% on average. Also, research revealed that the UP-MMA based polymer concrete significantly develops its strengths within the first 6 h, and the average strength at 72 h was 86.6% of the strength at 168 h. As the MMA content increases, the strengths of UP-MMA based polymer concrete tended to decrease. However, the effect of MMA on the strength reduction was less significant than that of curing temperature. Also, this study proposes a strength predictive model based on the maturity concept. The result of regression analysis between the measured strengths and computed maturity yielded high coefficients of determination of 0.91–0.97, validating the applicability of the maturity model suggested by Ohama. The findings of this study could be utilized as important data for field applications as well as manufacturing of precast products.

► Effects of curing temperature, age, and unsaturated polyester (UP)-methyl methacrylate (MMA) ratio on strengths were examined.
► The strengths were reduced by 32.8% on average as the curing temperature decreased from 20 to −20 °C.
► The strengths significantly developed within the first 6 h.
► The strengths tended to decrease as the MMA content increases.
► This study proposed strength predictive models based on maturity concept.