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Retrofitting is essential for prolonging the service life of aging and damaged structures, particularly in environments prone to water ingress. A key aspect of successful retrofitting is effective waterproofing, which can be approached from the positive side (exterior face exposed to moisture) or the negative side (interior face resisting water pressure from the opposite direction). Positive-side waterproofing is generally more effective and compatible with most grout types, while negative-side applications are more demanding, requiring materials with superior flexibility and adhesion—qualities particularly found in polyurethane and polyacrylate grouts. This review compares four widely used grouts—polyurethane, epoxy, polysulphide, and polyacrylate—based on tensile strength, swellability, crack-bridging capacity, and compatibility with crystalline admixtures. Polyurethane grouts offer high flexibility and water-reactive swellability, often exceeding 400%, making them ideal for sealing dynamic cracks. However, concerns persist regarding their long-term durability under extreme conditions. Epoxy grouts provide excellent mechanical strength, with tensile values over 30 MPa and compressive strength up to 80 MPa, but their rigidity limits use in structures experiencing movement. Polysulphide grouts offer a good balance of flexibility and chemical resistance, with elongation up to 250%, but their high cost and complex application processes have led to reduced usage. Polyacrylate grouts have emerged as strong candidates for both structural and waterproofing applications due to their rapid gel time, high swellability, and robust adhesion, though they require careful moisture control during application. Compatibility with crystalline admixtures—commonly used to enhance concrete waterproofing—also varies. Epoxy grouts are most compatible due to their chemical inertness, while polyurethane and polyacrylate grouts show formulation-dependent interactions. Polysulphide grouts display inconsistent performance in this regard. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of aligning grout properties with structural demands and waterproofing strategy in retrofitting applications.

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A Review of the Mechanical and Functional Performance of Chemical Grouts in Retrofitting Applications

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • S. Jawahar Saud

摘要

Retrofitting is essential for prolonging the service life of aging and damaged structures, particularly in environments prone to water ingress. A key aspect of successful retrofitting is effective waterproofing, which can be approached from the positive side (exterior face exposed to moisture) or the negative side (interior face resisting water pressure from the opposite direction). Positive-side waterproofing is generally more effective and compatible with most grout types, while negative-side applications are more demanding, requiring materials with superior flexibility and adhesion—qualities particularly found in polyurethane and polyacrylate grouts. This review compares four widely used grouts—polyurethane, epoxy, polysulphide, and polyacrylate—based on tensile strength, swellability, crack-bridging capacity, and compatibility with crystalline admixtures. Polyurethane grouts offer high flexibility and water-reactive swellability, often exceeding 400%, making them ideal for sealing dynamic cracks. However, concerns persist regarding their long-term durability under extreme conditions. Epoxy grouts provide excellent mechanical strength, with tensile values over 30 MPa and compressive strength up to 80 MPa, but their rigidity limits use in structures experiencing movement. Polysulphide grouts offer a good balance of flexibility and chemical resistance, with elongation up to 250%, but their high cost and complex application processes have led to reduced usage. Polyacrylate grouts have emerged as strong candidates for both structural and waterproofing applications due to their rapid gel time, high swellability, and robust adhesion, though they require careful moisture control during application. Compatibility with crystalline admixtures—commonly used to enhance concrete waterproofing—also varies. Epoxy grouts are most compatible due to their chemical inertness, while polyurethane and polyacrylate grouts show formulation-dependent interactions. Polysulphide grouts display inconsistent performance in this regard. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of aligning grout properties with structural demands and waterproofing strategy in retrofitting applications.