Internally Sealed Concrete: Guide to Construction and Heat Treatment

This report covers the procedures for designing, placing and finishing wax beaded portland cement concrete. Also discussed are the guidelines and procedures for heating the cured concrete surface in order to melt the beads. Specifications for the wax beads, their shipment and storage, mix design, water cement ratio, finishing techniques an heat treatment are given, along with several testing procedures related specifically to wax beaded concrete.

Steel rebar corrosion, caused by deicing salts or ocean spray, is considered the major cause of early deterioration of reinforced concrete bridge decks. Preventing chloride intrusion into the concrete has been widely studied as a means of eliminating the problem. One promising solution is set forth in this manual. It outlines and discusses step-by-step the use of wax beads to internally seal concrete and prevent the intrusion of the chloride ion.