What Is Latex Modified Concrete?
Latex modified concrete (LMC) is a type of concrete that adds latex solids to portland cement concrete. These latex particles mix in at a microscopic level, replacing some of the water, and create a waterproof layer when they bond with the concrete. LMC has been a commonly used material in the bridge deck repair industry since the 1960s. You’ll often see it used for:
- Bridge deck overlays
- Heavy use roadways
- Cold climate bridge deck overlays
- Parking structures
Why Latex Modified Concrete Is Used For Cold Climate Bridge Deck Overlays
Updated June 2024
In colder climates, bridge decks undergo a freeze-thaw cycle more severe than other types of concrete infrastructure. This is because they’re exposed to weather conditions on the top and bottom, unlike sidewalks and other concrete flatwork. These structural components contain an immense amount of reinforcing steel. Yet, latex modified concrete (LMC) is a common way to protect the steel with a bridge deck overlay.
How Ice & Snow Removal Practices Affect Bridge Decks
People expect roads and bridges to be free of snow and ice shortly after the storm subsides. In response, highway departments use salt-based deicing materials on the surface. If the concrete has cracks, the deicing salt materials may reach the reinforcement steel below, causing the steel to rust. Because rust occupies more volume than iron, the bridge deck deteriorates more quickly due to rust expansion. Highway engineers now require a long-lasting material that repairs the damage and prevents deicing salts from reaching the reinforcement steel.
How A Volumetric Concrete Mixer Protects The Mix Integrity
Mobile concrete mixers are commonly used to produce high-quality mix designs used to produce a latex modified concrete bridge deck overlay. Because both mixes are highly engineered, mixing at the job site eliminates several downsides associated with conventional delivery systems, including:
- Age of concrete;
- Tempering water; and
- Revolutions of the drum.
Decades Of High-Quality LMC With Volumetric Mixers
Delong Concrete in Lexington, Kentucky began using volumetric concrete trucks with LMC in the early 1970s as part of bridge deck work the company handled. While bridges are a significant part of their work, the company added several Cemen Tech units to augment the accuracy and precision required this type of work.
The result was a growing reputation for handling latex concrete overlays. As the demand grew, Delong Concrete added employees who travel around Kentucky, Tennessee, and other states for requested jobs.
How Latex Modified Concrete Developed
In the 1960s, Dow Chemical developed an overlay material using LMC. Laboratory studies showed potential for the usage of the resulting concrete for bridge decks.
The resulting concrete showed potential to be used in bridge decks when tested a laboratory. Conversely, field testing revealed the conventional delivery systems had underwhelming results. With this in mind, a Dow employee tried the newly patented and manufactured mobile mixer, called the “Concrete Mobile.” This mixer gave engineers control over their concrete production on the job site. The LMC could now reach the potential shown in the lab. All specifications going forward required the use of an on-site mixer for the overlay production.
Another method is the “Hi-Density” or “Iowa Low Slump” overlay. As the name suggests, it was developed in Iowa in the 1970s. The mix has a high cement content with a low water-cement ratio with a maximum water-cement ratio of 0.32 while plus or minus specifies the slump. This mix wasn’t tested using traditional barrel mixers as it would set up in the barrel without adding more water. But, it rivals the previous LMC overlay on performance. Producing this mix requires the use of a mobile mixer at the job site so the mix is fresh. Again, this allows engineers to achieve actual field performance that matches lab observations.
Cemen Tech volumetric mixers are the perfect partner for LMC, producing the exact mix design every time and meet DOT specifications.
If you have comments or questions about the types of latex modified concrete, bridge decks, or mobile concrete mixers, we would love to hear them! Call us at (800) 247-2464 or send us a message on our Contact Us page.
