daneshlink.

com

ACI 364.5T-10
TechNote

Importance of Modulus of Elasticity in

Surface Repair Materials
Keywords: compatibility; cracking; creep; elastic modulus; load-carrying; repair; strain; stress; tension.

Question
How important is the modulus of elasticity as a property of surface repair materials?

Answer
The modulus of elasticity is a very important property. For structural repairs, the elastic modulus should be
similar to that of the substrate concrete, whereas in the case of nonstructural repairs, a lower elastic modulus
may be beneficial.

--``,```,`,`,`,,,,`,`````,`,,`,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Discussion
Concrete repairs may be broadly classified as structural (load-carrying) and nonstructural (protective and/or
cosmetic). The load-carrying capacity and stress distribution must be considered in the case of structural repairs
where replacement of deteriorated load-bearing concrete is required. The repair material may be subjected to
tension, compression, and/or shear forces. Yet, even with equivalent or higher modulus repair material, perma-
nent loads will not be shared unless the existing member is unloaded prior to repair. Different approaches may
be required for the design and analysis of such repairs. It should be emphasized, however, that a structural
repair must also protect the underlying concrete and reinforcing steel from deterioration and corrosion.
The modulus of elasticity is a measure of the stiffness of a material.1,2 A material with a higher modulus of
elasticity is more rigid than a lower modulus material, which is more flexible. The modulus of elasticity is the
constant of proportionality between the applied stress and the strain within the linear stress-strain range of the
material. It corresponds to the slope of the straight line portion of a graph of stress* versus strain.† The term
elasticity refers to the reversible character of the dimensional change (as a spring would recover if compressed
or stretched). The modulus of elasticity of repair materials is typically measured using ASTM C469 or ASTM
C580 test methods. Additional information regarding the modulus of elasticity testing and its significance is
included in ACI 546.3R.
The modulus of elasticity of a repair material with respect to that of the substrate partially determines the
relative loads resisted by the new repair and the remaining substrate materials. One important consideration for
proper material selection is dimensional compatibility between the substrate and repair.3-5 If a material of lower
modulus than the substrate is selected, the repair is unable to carry as much load as the original concrete, but it
is helpful in reducing stresses induced by volume changes in the material or surrounding concrete. Conversely,
if a higher modulus material than the substrate is selected, not only will the repair carry more load relative to the
substrate, but the thermal- and shrinkage-induced stresses may also be concentrated in the repair material—a
situation that can lead to cracking or debonding of the repair.
To have good resistance to cracking (high tensile strain capacity), the repair material for protective repairs
should be “extensible.” It should have a low modulus of elasticity, low shrinkage values, and high creep.
It should be remembered, however, when developing such extensible materials for protective repairs, that
some factors that reduce shrinkage, such as relatively low water-cement ratio (w/c) or stiffer aggregates, have
been observed to decrease creep or relaxation and increase the modulus of elasticity at the same time, thus
offering little or no benefit to the tensile strain capacity (TSC). In addition, good bond strength of the repair
material to the base concrete is critical to the success of the repair; however, increasing the bond strength of
repair materials typically increases their modulus of elasticity and decreases their TSC. Often, a compromise
must be reached between high bond strength and low modulus of elasticity.
Emphasis should be placed, therefore, on modifying these parameters that produce a net increase in
TSC. One such potentially favorable parameter is the aggregate fraction. Contrary to what is generally
*
Stress is intensity of force per unit area (psi [MPa]).
†
Strain is displacement per unit length (in./in. [mm/mm]).
Copyright American Concrete Institute 1
Provided by IHS under license with ACI Licensee=University of Texas Revised Sub Account/5620001114, User=erur, ert
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 01/26/2015 02:45:41 MST
Daneshlink.com
daneshlink.com

2 IMPORTANCE OF MODULUS OF ELASTICITY IN SURFACE REPAIR MATERIALS (ACI 364.5T-10)

reported in the case of compressive creep, it

has been observed that increasing the amount
of aggregate in the repair material causes the
tensile creep of the repair concrete to increase.4
Because shrinkage is reduced when the aggregate
content is increased, a proper repair mixture for
cosmetic/protective repairs should have the
lowest possible cement paste content that is
compatible with serviceability and the placement
requirements. Repair material with well-detailed
reinforcement that is pinned into the existing
substrate will distribute cracks and prevent
Fig. 1—Examples of repair layouts combining materials with
localized wide cracks.
different elastic moduli.5
When materials with differing moduli act
monolithically, the difference in stiffness may lead to distress under externally applied loads, depending on
the induced stress field with respect to the structure layout. For example, when the external load is essentially
perpendicular to the bond line (left view in Fig. 1), as in the case of pavement overlay on a highly rigid foundation,
a difference in modulus of elasticity between the repair material and the substrate does not significantly affect
the overall mechanical behavior of the structure. Conversely, in repairs where the service load stresses are
parallel to the bond line, the deformation of the lower modulus material causes the load to be transferred to the
higher modulus material, which may then become overstressed and fracture (right view in Fig. 1).
When the moduli of the repair and of the substrate differ significantly, environmental loads (that is,
drying shrinkage and thermal deformations) can also generate internal stresses such that cracking and,
ultimately, debonding could occur. Moreover, shrinkage or thermal expansion and contraction can cause
distress if the modulus of the repair material is too high to permit deformation without excessive stress
at the bond line. It is important to consider shrinkage compatibility and thermal compatibility (coefficient
of thermal expansion) when selecting repair materials. Refer to ACI 546.3R for information regarding these
parameters. More compliant (lower modulus) repair material will reduce stresses due to shrinkage and
thermal incompatibility, but may not be acceptable for structural repairs.

Summary
Surface repairs must be dimensionally and mechanically compatible with the existing concrete substrate to
minimize cracking and ensure that the repair and existing structure act monolithically. To achieve repairs that
comply with these requirements, the magnitude of the repair material modulus of elasticity with respect to that
of the substrate needs to be taken into account.

Referenced standards and reports

The standards and reports listed below were the latest editions at the time this document was prepared.
Because these documents are revised frequently, the reader is advised to contact the proper sponsoring group
if it is desired to refer to the latest version.

American Concrete Institute

546.3R Guide for the Selection of Materials for the Repair of Concrete

ASTM International
C469 Standard Test Method for Static Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio of Concrete in
Compression
C580 Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength and Modulus of Elasticity of Chemical-Resistant
Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes

Cited references
1. Beer, F. P., and Johnston, E. R., Mechanics of Materials, third edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2002, 800 pp.
2. Mehta, P. K., Concrete: Structure, Properties and Materials, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1986, 548 pp.
3. Vaysburd, A. M.; Emmons, P. H.; Mailvaganam, N. P.; McDonald, J. E.; and Bissonnette, B., “Concrete Repair
Technology—A Revised Approach is Needed,” Concrete International, V. 26, No. 1, Jan. 2004, pp. 59-65.
4. Pigeon, M., and Bissonnette, B., “Tensile Creep and Cracking Potential of Bonded Concrete Repairs,” Concrete
International, V. 21, No. 11, Nov. 1999, pp. 31-35.
5. Emmons, P. H., Concrete Repair and Maintenance Illustrated, R.S. Means Co. Inc., New York, 1993, 295 pp.
--``,```,`,`,`,,,,`,`````,`,,`,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright American Concrete Institute American Concrete Institute Copyrighted Material—www.concrete.org

Provided by IHS under license with ACI Licensee=University of Texas Revised Sub Account/5620001114, User=erur, ert
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 01/26/2015 02:45:41 MST
Daneshlink.com
daneshlink.com

IMPORTANCE OF MODULUS OF ELASTICITY IN SURFACE REPAIR MATERIALS (ACI 364.5T-10) 3

Reported by ACI Committee 364

Fred R. Goodwin James H. Loper
Chair Secretary

Randal M. Beard Pawan R. Gupta James E. McDonald

Benoit Bissonnette Ron Heffron William R. Nash
Michael L. Brainerd Robert L. Henry Jay H. Paul
Christopher D. Brown Kal R. Hindo K. Nam Shiu
Douglas Burke Charles J. Hookham Thomas E. Spencer
Ryan Alexander Carris Lawrence F. Kahn John A. Tanner
Bruce A. Collins Ashok M. Kakade Valery Tokar
Brian Lee Cope Dov Kaminetzky David A. VanOcker
Boris Dragunsky James M. Kasper Alexander M. Vaysburd
Peter H. Emmons Keith E. Kesner Kurt F. von Fay
Paul E. Gaudette Erick N. Larson James Warner
Timothy R. W. Gillespie Marjorie M. Lynch Patrick M. Watson
Zareh B. Gregorian Pritpal S. Mangat David W. Whitmore

--``,```,`,`,`,,,,`,`````,`,,`,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
ACI TechNotes are intended for reference for the design and construction of concrete structures. This document is intended for the
use of individuals who are competent to evaluate the significance and limitations of its content and who will accept responsibility for the
application of the information it contains. The American Concrete Institute disclaims any and all responsibility for the accuracy of the con-
tent and shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising therefrom. Reference to this document shall not be made in contract documents.

ACI 364.5T-10 was adopted and published September 2010.

Copyright © 2010, American Concrete Institute.

All rights reserved including the rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means, including the making of copies by any photo
process, or by electronic or mechanical device, printed, written, or oral, or recording for sound or visual reproduction or for use in any
knowledge or retrieval system or device, unless permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietors.

For additional copies, please contact:

American Concrete Institute, 38800 Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48331
Phone: 248-848-3700, Fax: 348-848-3701,
www.concrete.org

Copyright American Concrete Institute American Concrete Institute Copyrighted Material—www.concrete.org

Provided by IHS under license with ACI Licensee=University of Texas Revised Sub Account/5620001114, User=erur, ert
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 01/26/2015 02:45:41 MST
Daneshlink.com